Stella Maris: A Lifeline for Seafarers and Fishers

Being a seafarer or a fisher can be a dangerous and difficult vocation. When crisis strikes, the consequences can be devastating, especially if there is no one to turn to for help.

When the worst happens, Stella Maris stands alongside seafarers and fishers. Through its ministry, and through the dedicated work of its chaplains and volunteer ship visitors, those working at sea can receive support at the moments when they are most vulnerable.

The help provided by Stella Maris can be a lifeline when urgent assistance is needed. This might mean helping a seafarer return to work after a serious accident, supporting a retired fisherman with the cost of repairing a broken boiler, or assisting a struggling young cadet to pay their rent when no other help is available.

The charity’s Centenary Emergency Fund, established in 2020, exists specifically to help seafarers, fishers and their families in urgent need. Grants from the fund can provide support for essentials such as food, accommodation, medical care, legal assistance and training to rebuild livelihoods. Often it becomes the final source of hope when other avenues of support have been exhausted. Each grant is distributed through a local Stella Maris chaplain, ensuring that help reaches those in need quickly and personally.

One fisherman, Matthew, experienced first-hand the impact of this support. After a serious accident at sea, he was trying to rebuild his livelihood. The cost of repairing his fishing vessel consumed his wages, leaving him dependent on food banks to survive. A Stella Maris grant enabled Matthew to buy a fridge freezer to store his catch, allowing him to return to fishing more quickly. With it came the restoration of both his income and his dignity.

In another case, a British Army veteran named John (not his real name) hoped to return to work as a fisherman but could not afford the mandatory five-day safety training course required for working at sea. A Stella Maris grant covered the course fee. After completing the training, John sent a message of gratitude: “I really can’t thank you enough. This will literally change my life. I can finally look forward rather than dwelling on the past.”

This vital support is made possible through donations to the Centenary Emergency Fund. Last year the demand was so great that the fund was exhausted by August. This year Stella Maris aims to raise £100,000 so that it can continue to respond whenever a seafarer or fisher finds themselves in crisis.

During this season of Lent, Stella Maris invites people to be a light of hope to seafarers, fishers and their families who may be facing hardship or despair. Generosity can be life-transforming, enabling chaplains and ship visitors to continue offering practical help, pastoral care and a listening ear to those in need.

Please also keep in prayer the many seafarers, fishers and their families during this holy season.

To make a donation or to find out how you can help, visit www.stellamaris.org.uk/lent/.

Stella Maris, formerly known as the Apostleship of the Sea, is a registered UK charity that relies on voluntary donations to sustain its work. Around 90 per cent of world trade is transported by ship, yet the life of a seafarer can be dangerous and lonely. Many spend up to a year away from home, separated from their families and loved ones and often working in harsh conditions.

Through its chaplains and volunteer ship visitors, Stella Maris offers seafarers and fishers pastoral care, practical support, reliable information and, above all, a compassionate listening ear.

For more information visit www.stellamaris.org.uk.

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