THE ‘MALTESE TITANIC’

CHART COMPASSAND

SAILORS’ SOCIETY’S FREE MAGAZINEwww.sailors-society.orgSPRING 2016

Human Performance and Limitation

for Mariners

Fire safety at sea

Read by seafarers and industry professionals around the world

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2 WELCOME

INDUSTRY NEWS

3 ICMA licenses Chapplaincy

FIRE SAFETY AT SEA

4 Training to survive

CREW SERVICES

6 ‘Manny’s’ typical working trip

HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND LIMITATION FOR MARINERS

8 Physical and psychological diffi culties seafarers may face

CHAT WITH A CHAPLAIN

10 Ailton Ferreira de Souza talks about life as a port chaplain

PORT PROFILE

11 Vitória, the Sun City

FROM THE ARCHIVES

12 The tragic story of SS Sardinia, the ‘Maltese Titanic’

LIFE ON THE QUAYSIDE

13 News from our port chaplains around the world

TRANSFORMING LIVES

14 2015 in review

SPIRITUAL SUPPORT

15 Wise words from Mark Warner

WELCOMEFROM THE EDITOR, STUART RIVERS

Seafaring is a challenging existence and this edition of Chart and Compass looks at aspects of safety affecting its dedicated workforce

The world’s seafarers are an invisible workforce on wh ich we all rely, on a daily basis.

Invisible because few people think about the job they are doing, away from home and loved ones for up to a year at a time. But look around – almost everything we see has been transported by sea, including clothes, cars, computers and fuel.

We live in a world of immediacy, where next-day delivery is the norm , but our purchases have been on a much longer journey that is invisible to most of us.

Transporting 90 per cent of the world’s goods can be dangerous, as well as lonely, and seafarers face physical and mental challenges daily.

With a vast number of incidents at sea attributed to ‘human error’, our innovative Wellness at Sea coaching programme aims to improve seafarers’ on board wellbeing.

Fatigue, poor mental health, stress and many other issues all affect seafarers going about their daily work, and can be the difference between safe transit and a major incident.

Wellness at Sea seeks to combat these issues by addressing ‘wellness’ as a holistic concept made up of fi ve areas of wellbeing: social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual. It is a crucial tool in helping to improve seafarer safety and deliver real business benefi ts.

Sailors’ Society works around the world helping seafarers and their families in need. Our dedicated

team of port chaplains extend the hand of friendship to everyone they meet in ports across the globe, sharing faith and helping seafarers with practical matters such as contacting family, shopping and accessing local services.

They are only able to undertake this valued work because of the enormous generosity of our supporters.

Improving wellness at sea for all seafarers will not happen overnight . However, Sailors’ Society is committed to making a long-term difference; transforming lives at home, in port and at sea, and ensuring that – while seafarers are, for most of us, out of sight – they are not out of mind.

Registered Charity No. 237778A company limited by guaranteeRegistered in England No. 86942Patron: Her Majesty the QueenEditor: Stuart RiversAssistant editor: James Leslie

Published by Sailors’ Society,Seafarer House, 74 St Annes Road, Woolston, Southampton, SO19 9FFTel: +44 (0)23 8051 5950Email: press@sailors-society.org

INTERNATIONAL SAILORS’ SOCIETIES

Canada Secretariat: Chamber of Shipping, Suite100, 1111 West Hastings Street,Vancouver BC, V6E 2J3, Canada

New ZealandNational Secretary: Larry Robbins OBE RNZN (RTD)42 Knights Road, Rothesay Bay,Auckland 1311, New Zealand

Southern AfricaCEO: Revd J D (Boet) Van Schalkwyk

Suite No. 6, Second Floor, Westville Centre, 52 Norfolk Terrace

Designed and produced by CPL (Cambridge Publishers)www.cpl.co.ukISSN: 1759 -1317

CONTENTS

Filipino seafarers, Jess and Luis, in Scotland after three months at

sea. Luis has three children and is paying for two daughters to go

through medical college, while his son is in the fi rst year of high

school. Our chaplain asked him when he last saw his children,

to which he replied: ‘Just now, thanks to the Wi-Fi!’ This is just

one of the many examples of how Sailors’ Society is able to help

seafarers and their families

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INDUSTRY NEWSSPONSORED BY DREW MARINE SIGNAL AND SAFETY UK LTD WWW.COMET-MARINE.COM

Sailors’ Society has licensed a version of its Chapplaincy app to the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA), enabling all 28 members to share the digital platform

transforming port-to-port welfare.The Ship Visitor app will enable maritime

chaplaincy organisations across the world to deliver improved services to seafarers and better measure their work’s impact.

The Very Revd Richard Kilgour, general secretary of ICMA, said: ‘ICMA is mindful of the immense importance of this development, which strengthens our international collaborative relationships as seafarer societies. Brought about by Sailors’ Society, this initiative will empower those in front-line ministry to bring immense benefi t for the wellbeing of seafarers and is warmly welcomed by our 28 member organisations operating seafarer ministry in ports worldwide.’

Sandra Welch, Sailors’ Society director of programme, said: ‘We’re really pleased to share this unique platform with our fellow welfare organisations and look forward to seeing the positive impact this collaboration will have on the seafarers we all care for.’

The app is enabled by access to global ship-tracking data from MarineTraffi c, which helps chaplains see which vessels are in port and those set to arrive. The result is a more effective use of time and improved coordination with other welfare organisations.

Demitris Memos, managing director of MarineTraffi c, said: ‘We are very happy that

the app has proved its usefulness in such a short space of time and that the technology is being licensed to ICMA.

‘We will continue to develop our systems and expand our global Automatic Identifi cation System (AIS) network to provide top quality data to the app and look forward to hearing more about the benefi ts it brings to seafarers.’

ICMA LICENSES CHAPPLAINCY

S ailors’ Society has granted SeaWives.com £15,500 to develop an

app of its popular forum. The website offers members, whose husbands or partners work at sea, a place to discuss issues and form friendships.

Founders Joanne and Louise Hammond have identified a real need for the website and app through their own experiences with husbands who are seafarers. Said Joanne: ‘It is essential for people to feel they have somebody to talk to, somebody that understands the highs and lows of this lifestyle. We are really lucky to have people close to us that understand. Unfortunately, there are many who do not, and it was for this reason SeaWives.com was developed.’

Since its launch in March 2015, the site has received more than 25,000 hits and has nearly 200 forum members.

Members feel that it is important to be able to access the forum quickly and share their feelings, particularly during difficult times.

Louise said: ‘We want the website to become the first port of call for the partners and family of seafarers. It is important to know that there are people who understand this lifestyle without judgement, pity, or the routine comment of “don’t worry they’ll be home soon”, which every seafaring partner hates to hear.’

SeaWives.com is free to join. If you would like to contribute or register, please contact info@seawives.com

SAILORS’ SOCIETY TO FUND APP AND CONNECT SEAFARERS’ PARTNERS

www.sailors-society.org 3IN FOCUS

Revd Ken Peters, ICMA executive committee member and Mission to Seafarers’ director of justice and welfare; the Very Revd Richard Kilgour, ICMA general secretary; and Sandra Welch, Sailors’ Society director of programme, sign the Ship Visitor app agreement

Sisters-in law Jo and Louise Hammond with their husbands, WIlliam and Alex

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4 FIRE SAFETY AT SEA www.sailors-society.org

MARInE FIREFIghTIng: Training To Survive

Fire on board a vessel is generally considered the most dangerous situation on water. While technological advances have helped to mitigate risk, consistently investing in firefighting

training, skills and equipment is the best means to keep crew, ship and cargo safe, if disaster strikes.

While innovative new fire-resistant materials and advanced fire suppression equipment have helped improve fire safety, technology alone is not a one-stop security blanket. 

‘Ship operators are again placing huge importance on firefighting training. An over- reliance on fixed suppression systems can be dangerous and create a sense of false security,’ said Captain Ted Morley, chief operations officer, Maritime Professional Training (MPT).

Firefighting training is a particular point of emphasis at MPT and the school has invested heavily to ensure it has the necessary tools and techniques to keep modern vessels shipshape.

MPT established the Marine Tech Fire Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, and uses the facility to run more than 60 firefighting classes annually.

Captain Morley said: ‘Having well trained first responders is vital, as they can be proactive and adaptable to each emergency. We spend more than 30 weeks a year on board clients’ vessels, training while they are underway.’

FireFighTing Technology While technique and training is the foundation for any solid onboard emergency response, technology – both in fire-resistant materials found on modern ships and the firefighting

A burning icebreaker ship in the sea off Antarctica

greg Trauthwein is editor and associate publisher of Maritime Reporter and Engineering News.This feature is edited from an

original article, first published in the october 2015 edition of that magazine. For more information please visit www.marinelink.com

THE AUTHOR

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5FIRE SAFETY AT SEAwww.sailors-society.org

apparatus itself – continues to grow in sophistication and performance.

Jim Elliott, vice-president of T&T Marine Salvage, said: ‘Training has evolved based on lessons learned from actual fighting of shipboard fires.

‘Technology – such as infrared, advances in firefighting systems, and improved firefighting extinguishing agents – has enhanced shipboard firefighting operations. Advances in protective equipment and breathing apparatus/cylinder capacity have also gone a long way towards improving safety.’

T&T Marine Salvage’s investment in technology includes the latest in infrared technology: ‘We even have an infrared system on our Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to respond to vessel fires,’ said Elliott.

Morely said that technology has increased in importance, particularly in light of the move toward larger ships and smaller crews: ‘Technology – such as thermal-imaging units and advances in suppression equipment – has become a vital component of firefighting. Incorporating that technology, and topics such as advanced methods of ventilation, into fire training classes is vital. The methods and techniques that were taught when I entered the industry seem almost prehistoric when compared to what is available today. That is the primary reason refresher training is so important.’

a growing emphaSiS Mitigating risk in the maritime sector is a necessity. The increasingly litigious nature of the world at large levies stiff penalties on anyone who puts hazardous materials into the sea, and increasingly strict regulations from authorities mean that, to ensure compliance, vessel owners and operators must invest in marine firefighting training and technology.

Captain Morley said: ‘Ship operators are seeing the importance of having well trained firefighters available on board to respond.

‘While regulations have improved their safety, fire is still the number one threat these vessels face. The International Maritime Organization (IMO) recognises that and has worked with member nations to improve training. At the same time industry is working to improve policies and procedures. Many companies go well beyond the regulatory requirements for fire training.’

Kirk Richardson, of Texas A&M Engineering Extension Service (TEEX), Emergency Services Training Institute, said: ‘Live fire and emergency response training for the maritime industry continues to evolve. As vessels, terminals, and offshore facilities become more complex, personnel must be prepared to deal adequately with any type of emergency.

‘Incidents include: firefighting; confined space rescue; water rescue; hazardous materials; and others. In addition, personnel must be adept at managing the incident by using the appropriate incident command structure.’

TEChnOlOgICAl AdvAnCES In FIRE SAFETY AT SEA

Shipboard auTonomouS FireFighTing roboT (SaFFir) SAFFiR is a human-sized autonomous robot capable of finding and suppressing shipboard fires and is designed to work seamlessly with human firefighters.

whiTe glacier immerSion SuiTWhite Glacier’s Arctic 25 immersion suit has three non-neoprene layers, the third layer of which is abrasion resistant and fire retardant for four seconds.

The suit can be fully donned in under one minute or partially donned in 15 seconds. Donning can then be completed once in the water. All suits will withstand 10m jump impacts, more than twice the industry standard.

FireFighTing SimulaTorVSTEP’s firefighting simulator RescueSim enables users to experience and train for a variety of incidents on board a ship in a safe environment.

The simulator includes functionality, environments, equipment and objects common to specific types of shipboard incidents.

An instructor is in full control during training and can influence the scenario for the participants in the simulator during the exercise.

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6 www.sailors-society.orgCREW SERVICES

Taking care of The crewRandi Blidensol outlines a working trip for ‘Manny’ – a typical Filipino seafarer – the problems he encounters, and what can be done to improve life for others like him

Seafaring is a dangerous enough profession without factoring in the perils of travelling to a new contract. In today’s challenging market we frequently forget about what keeps

our industry afloat, its people. Crews face a number of logistical difficulties when joining a ship, signing off and working on board; supporting them will assist our industry to bring about overall improvements.

‘Manny’ – our fictitious Filipino seafarer – is about to finish his annual leave before heading for Pointe-Noire in Congo to join a container ship sailing on a regular service between Europe and West Africa.

In the traditional fragmented crew supply chain, Manny’s ship owner will make arrangements with crewing and travel agents, coordinate the last mile of the seafarer’s journey with the local ship’s agent and, often, the charterer’s agent. Each of these parties has overlapping responsibilities, critical to managing the overall journey.

Manny arrives in Riyadh late on a Thursday evening and has a 15-hour wait until his

connecting flight; without any accommodation organised for him, he finds a quiet corner of the airport and tries to get some rest.

The next leg of his journey includes a stopover in Lagos; the regional airline has a poor safety record but offers a relatively cheap and direct connection. Manny’s flight touches down nine hours late in Pointe-Noire. His luck is in; his vessel’s expected time of arrival has been put back because of poor weather.

Weary but relieved finally to arrive, Manny hits a problem at immigration – he doesn’t speak the language and thinks it has something to do with his visa. He doesn’t know what to do; it would be good if there had been somebody locally to help him out.

The issue is finally resolved and he is allowed through to pick up his luggage which, after an anxious wait, eventually appears.

Outside he hails a taxi. The driver is a friendly fellow and they enjoy a cigarette together before starting the journey to the hotel. The traffic is bad – worse than in the Philippines, thinks Manny – there are no seatbelts and the driver talks continuously on his mobile phone. The

journey has its challenging moments and Manny is glad when it’s over.

The hotel is down by the port and by any standard is poor, but Manny’s not complaining – it’s a bed for the night.

The following morning he is delayed at the port gate for more than two hours. No notification has been supplied to port security by the agent about his arrival. Manny finally signs on after nearly two days’ travel.

Once on board, Manny will spend most of his time at sea. When calling at port, it is rare that he is allowed any shore-time.

He will often send cash home to his family using money transfer services in the first available port. Halfway through the month he needs to make sure his wife has enough funds to cover the family’s outgoings.

Cash is supplied by the owner through the agent and distributed on board by the Master. This is a costly and risky affair for all parties involved, not least for Manny who has to carry the cash, often through unfamiliar dockland streets, to get to a money transfer facility.

He is also subject to poor foreign exchange

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www.sailors-society.org 7CREW SERVICES

rates and high transfer fees. Although Manny will always check for the best rates before committing, this search in itself adds to the potential danger he is exposed to.

Manny misses his family, he has a mobile phone but calling home is expensive. Some of his colleagues have laptops that they can use to chat with their families when free Wi-Fi is available in some ports. But once back at sea all links are severed; the owner says it’s too costly to allow the crew any time on the ship’s satellite link.

Months on and it’s coming up to his son’s birthday. Manny has spotted the ideal gift while browsing on a friend’s laptop. He would like to buy it online but has no international card facility and so gives cash to his friend who will buy it for him. Manny just hopes he will get it before he signs off as he is not sure when he will see his shipmate again.

The parcel arrives as Manny is about to sign off. He has a long journey ahead and hopes there will not be delays so he can make it back in time for his son’s birthday.

Identifying and rectifying the difficulties Manny

faces in the course of his work is possible by applying a range of crew-centric solutions.

By working closely with qualified, carefully vetted and audited partners to provide welfare assistance for crew members, life can be made much easier and risk free for Manny, and more cost-efficient for the shipowner.

Accomplishing this requires a robust, centrally controlled logistical system, strong ethics and compliance, and strict quality, health, safety, security and environment (QHSSE) policies along the supply chain, both during transit and once on board.

Shipowners don’t need to go to the trouble and expense of setting up such systems themselves when outsourced solutions are available. For example: a single point of contact into a global agency network; an in-house travel agency with proprietary marine and offshore airfares; and alternatives to the traditional methods of distributing funds to crew members will provide seafarers with better control of their transactions, and an overall reduction in costs.

For more ideas, visit Inchcape’s website www.iss-shippping.com

Supporting crew will assist the industry to bring about overall improvements

Randi Blidensol is Inchcape Shipping Services’ product manager

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8 HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND LIMITATION www.sailors-society.org

HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND LIMITATION FOR MARINERs The Nautical Institute’s latest book offers insights into the physical and psychological difficulties that seafarers may face, in order to help protect them

All crew members have a crucial part to play in the safety and commercial success of their vessels. Crew members are responsible for the lives of

others on board, for millions of dollars of company assets in the form of the ship, hundreds of millions of dollars in cargo value, and billions of dollars in terms of liabilities and environmental impact. In addition, there is the matter of your reputation and that of your company.

So it benefits everyone if their unique human qualities are protected and nurtured to ensure the safety of ships, the protection of the environment, and the sustainability of shipping – and, possibly even more importantly, their sense of personal achievement.

Most shipboard systems depend on some level of human involvement, and this human link is a potential frailty that needs to be managed, monitored and nurtured.

It is important that you are fully aware of the many and varied factors that can affect the way you perform aboard ship – many of which will not become apparent to you until you start your seagoing career.

A system of examinations for aviation pilots in human performance and limitation has produced great advances in safety for that sector. The latest book from The Nautical Institute, Human Performance and Limitation for Mariners, introduces the concept to seafarers, so they can understand their limitations and make best use of their physical and mental abilities in the challenging shipboard environment.

Those who are responsible for the design,

Bridget Hogan is director of publishing and marketing at The Nautical Institute, where she is responsible for the organisation’s 100-plus

book titles, its magazine production, and its marketing and communications. She has been involved with the publishing industry for more than 40 years and has worked in the maritime industry – in various roles – for more than 35 years

THE AUTHOR management and operation of ships and their systems must also take account of seafarers’ capabilities, skills, limitations and needs. The book looks at the realities of living and working on board, and explains how recognising human limitations can improve performance, safety and job satisfaction.

Practical guidance is given on: how the mind works; fatigue, workload and stress; building competency and confidence; and cultural understanding. For those at sea – and for owners and managers ashore – it makes sense that seafarers are given the knowledge to follow a healthy way of life, and are educated to do so.

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The shipping industry has relied on the excellent abilities of seafarers since humans first ventured onto the oceans. Life at sea can be rewarding, but also challenging. All mariners need to be aware of how to protect themselves, physically and mentally, and to make best use of their abilities to manage modern ships in an exceedingly complex and dynamic maritime environment.

In the early 1990s, the aviation industry adopted a system of human performance and limitation (HPL) examinations for all commercial and leisure pilots. As a result, there have been great advances in aviation safety, as pilots have come to appreciate the realities of human limitations and their implication for delivering consistent overall performance.

Although we seek to learn and benefit from such lessons outside the aviation industry, there are two major differences to consider when it comes to the maritime industry.

First, its environment is very different from aviation; seafarers are subjected to different motions and effects, such as noise, heat, and vibration. Second, and more significantly, however, ships also provide habitation, as The Nautical Institute’s book describes.

A ship is home for our maritime professionals for many months at a time, and the challenges of life on board – living in a multicultural world – must be managed effectively to achieve the best results, and the safest living and working environment.

The book has been written for individuals, and takes a personal approach to help mariners understand what the limitations of their bodies

Mariners are the shipping industry’s greatest resource; global maritime professionals who are the true heart and soul of a ship

Human Performance and Limitation for Mariners is available via www.nautinst.org

and minds are in this special environment. It is aimed at ensuring they are protected and safe, and able to contribute effectively to the special team that is the ship’s crew.

The Nautical Institute is already having some success in getting the concept understood more generally in the industry. Gerardo Borromeo, vice-chairman and chief executive officer of Philippine Transmarine Carriers, vice-chairman of the International Chamber of Shipping, and president of InterManager, has added his support to the initiative.

‘I congratulate the Institute for initiating this important approach, and hope that shipowners and managers will support this initiative,’ he said. ‘I also hope that our maritime professionals all over the world will learn to understand and accept their limitations, while nurturing and further developing their special human traits.

‘In doing so, their reward will be a satisfying career at sea and a unique opportunity to make a difference in the world, experienced by so many maritime professionals over the centuries.’

There are many challenges facing those who choose a career at sea, but there are

also opportunities for great fulfilment. In personal terms, long-lasting friendships can be established and maintained over lifetimes. Then there is professional pride – commercial shipping transports more than 90 per cent of the world’s trade. Seafarers from many countries and many cultures fulfil a vital role, without which our planet could not function. You should be justifiably proud of what you do.

Hopefully, Human Performance and Limitation for Mariners will point you in the right direction, not least because happy, healthy, well-trained and motivated seafarers will ensure the safe conduct of ships, and the safe and timely arrival of the world’s cargoes.

The professional seafarers who work on the world’s ships must be recognised, valued and supported in their crucial roles at sea. They deserve a properly designed and maintained vessel, investment, support, training and good procedures – all of which can be achieved through teamwork between the individual, onboard crew and company managers.

In this way the motivation they require to operate effectively – and to improve their performance through study, training and mentoring – can be achieved.

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Q How did you come to be a port chaplain?A I had put myself at the disposal of God long before hearing missionaries testifying about their work with seafarers. I visited children in orphanages, asylums and poor neighbourhoods, sharing God’s love and serving their needs while I waited for his direction. It made me feel good, but I felt he wanted more from me.

Q What made you want to help seafarers?A I first heard about merchant seafarers when I was secretary of the First Baptist Church, in Cobilândia, and received an email about the Baptist Convention of Vitória’s missionary work. I visited the mission, where port chaplain Reverend Luis Claudio introduced me to working with seafarers and told me he needed someone to help. I was sure God wanted me there.

Q What is your favourite part of the job?A While training, I was asked to help a Filipino seaman who had suffered a stroke and I learned a lot. God keeps giving me opportunities to care for hospitalised seafarers and I take care of them with the same dedication I had when helping the first one.

Q What are the biggest challenges?A Nowadays, the biggest challenge has been to make some people understand that a seafarer is also a human being, and he or she should be treated with respect.

Q What are the most common seafarers’ needs that you encounter?A A common need of a seafarer is to be in touch with family. I have also heard from many seafarers about how important a port chaplain is to them. Seafarers feel safe with port chaplains and they become friends in a short space of time. I am proud to be considered ‘a friendly face between the storms’ by seafarers, or an ‘angel’ sent by God to care for them.

Q Is there a particular story about helping seafarers or their families that you would like to share?A A Filipino seafarer was hospitalised because of severe back pains and was diagnosed with an aggressive form of cancer. During times of prayer, he asked God for another opportunity to see his wife and daughters, to tell them that he loved them. He spoke to them daily on the

internet, but wanted to touch them, to hug and kiss them. He believed God loved him so much that he was certain he would see them again. The doctors said it would be a miracle if he arrived home alive. God gave the seafarer the opportunity to be with his family for two weeks. Despite the short time we were together, we became good friends and truly brothers, and I will never forget him.

Q What would you be doing if you weren’t a Society chaplain?A I have always liked humanitarian work and I would certainly be doing something to help people if I wasn’t a port chaplain.

Q What do you hope to bring the seafarers that you help?A We cannot come in and out of people’s lives without making a difference. I am happy when I hear from seafarers who miss me; it means that I shared something good with them, despite our short time together.

Q What advice would you give to seafarers visiting your port?A Vitória is a small city with friendly people and beautiful places to visit. If you or a friend come here, please contact me in advance and I will try to help.

Q Do you have a special message for seafarers?A There are many people that love and respect you, people who pray for you and are able to do the best they can for you. I thank God for your life, and ask him to bless you and keep you safe.

Pastor Ailton Ferreira de Souza+55 27 99721 9007 +55 27 99721 3296afdesouza@sailor-society.org

CoNTACT

10 our mission www.sailors-society.org

CHAT WITH A CHAPLAIN

Pastor Ailton Ferreira de Souza has been with Sailors’

Society for more than eight years and discusses how he helps seafarers in the Brazilian port of Vitória

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1. Convento da PenhaConsidered to be one of the main tourist attractions in Espírito Santo, the

Franciscan convent sits on top of a mountain just across the Terceira Ponte (Third Bridge), and overlooks the cities of Vila Velha and Vitória. Founded by Pedro Palácios in 1558, it is home to the state’s patron saint, our Mother of Penha, with many people making an annual pilgrimage to the site.

2. Morro do MorenoAt 274 metres high, Morro do Moreno offers fantastic views of the city below, and

– for those brave enough – is the perfect spot for paragliding.

The summit of the hill can be accessed via road or by a 40-minute walk, and a wide array of wildlife – including marmosets, lizards and tarantulas – can be seen in Morro do Moreno’s forested areas.

3. Palácio Anchietaone of Brazil’s oldest governmental headquarters, Palácio Anchieta, was built by Jesuit

Twinned with a number of cities, including Beirut and Dunkirk, Vitória has a population of nearly 350,000

Vitória was founded as Vila Nova do Espírito Santo in 1551, before being renamed as a tribute to a famous battle victory by Espírito Santo’s captain, Vasco

Fernandes Coutinho.Twinned with a number of cities – including

Beirut, Lebanon, and Dunkirk, France – the city has a population of nearly 350,000.

Vitória has many nicknames, including Ilha do Mel (Honey Island) and Cidade Sol (Sun City), but is often abbreviated to Vix by locals.

With plenty of sightseeing opportunities for those short on time, make sure you contact Sailors’ Society’s port chaplain, Ailton Ferreira de Souza (see page 10), if you are in port in Vitória.

viTória, THE sun CiTy

priests in the 16th century. Situated in the heart of the city, the building’s incredible architecture makes it of great historical importance there.

The Palácio Anchieta houses priceless works of art and offers fantastic views of the Bay of Vitória.

4. Chocolates GarotoFor those with a sweet tooth, the Chocolates Garoto factory is one attraction that cannot be missed.

Founded in 1929, it has a separate museum, with traditional chocolate-making machines. With plenty of free samples on offer, it is well worth taking the hour-long guided tour!

5. Praia da CostaWhether you want to play football, go for a bike ride or just sunbathe, Praia da Costa is a beach with lots to offer.

The pier has fantastic views of the coast and, at night, there is a busy fair. At the bay’s entrance is the Santa Luzia lighthouse; built in 1870, it is 12m high and still helps navigation for the ports of Vitória, Capuaba and Vila Velha.

Panoramic view of Vitória, the state capital of Espírito Santo, in Brazil

CHAT WITH A CHAPLAIN

www.sailors-society.org 11porT profilE

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12 FROM THE ARCHIVES

One of the most appalling of modern catastrophes at sea occurred off Malta, on Wednesday, 25 November. The SS Sardinia, of the Ellerman-

Papayanni Line, left Valetta Harbour at about 10am, bound for Alexandria with at least 193 persons on board, including a crew of 39 men. Scarcely had the gallant ship left the harbour before she was on fi re. A high wind and rough sea aggravated the situation. Explosions took place, some sharp and frequent like the discharges of musketry, others loud and overpowering like the eruption of a volcano.

When the authorities realised what had happened, they had to consider the safety of the island and the shipping in the harbour. Powder magazines might quickly be endangered by a ship in confl agration, and the unfortunate vessel had to be warned it could not return to port.

The Sardinia fi rst wheeled round as though she meant to enter the harbour; then she veered and swerved from the course she took in her sad plight. She dared not go on and she could not come back; anxiety and confusion were growing on board. Suffocating smells were ascending from the hold; smoke half-blinded everybody;

TRAGIC TALE OF SS SARDINIA – THE‘MALTESE TITANIC’

The SS Sardinia tragedy of 1908, which claimed 121 lives, is considered the worst peacetime maritime catastrophe in Maltese waters. The following account – with wording taken from 1909’s Chart & Compass – describes the events and how one of the Society’s missionaries helped survivors

and the rattle of explosions and the thunders of destruction with the roaring of the fi re continued and gathered strength.

The third mate (with hands and face badly burned) and the quartermaster were driven from the bridge, and the captain, who had gallantly remained at his post, was killed or blown overboard.

Moving in a circle, cutting the waters with uncertainty of action, the Sardinia refused to be managed. The only safety lay in her being cast upon the land, upon the rocks that pound and rend and destroy her, yet save her perhaps in part. She drove upon the shore hard by Fort Ricasoli.

Before this took place, the 193 souls on board had to seek what salvation seemed to present itself. The hungry sea was around them; the raging fl ames sought to devour them; death was present on every hand. Soon some persons fell suffocated, others threw themselves into the sea; a number clung to the sides of the ship afraid to leave it, afraid to remain on board.

The marine police, the fl eet in the harbour, and the military, did all they could to save them. Action was prompt, methodical, steady, complete. Naval pinnaces, dockyard and

government tugs, even private boats with all possible speed were around the doomed ship. There was danger in approaching, but danger does not keep brave men away. As the terrifi ed passengers fell or cast themselves into the water, they were picked up in considerable numbers. Nine saloon passengers were saved, as well as 23 of the crew and 40 others.

Our missionary, Lieutenant H W Harvey, RNR, was early on the spot, and prevailed upon the Naval Commander-in-Chief’s barge to tow his small boat to the mouth of the harbour, in hope of being able to render assistance. The danger of his boat being swamped, and the impossibility of his rendering any help there, compelled him to return to the Custom House, and prepare to render assistance to those who would soon be landed in all stages of destitution.

Almost immediately after they were landed, the whole of the surviving crew were sought after and located by Mr Harvey; and thanks to his untiring energy, were promptly housed and clothed. He ministered to them spiritually with encouraging results, and conducted a service at the Seamen’s Hospital at which nearly all were present.

The hungry sea was around them; the raging fl ames sought to devour them; death was present on every hand

12 www.sailors-society.org

Lieutenant Harvey, RNR, with survivors from the Sardinia disasterThe Sardinia on the rocks at Ricasoli

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13our missionwww.sailors-society.org

News from our port chaplaiNs arouNd the world

Life on the quayside

Wreath laid for HMS Natal centenaryi

nvergordon port chaplain Drew Anderson took part in a moving commemorative centenary service late last year for those lost when HMS Natal blew up and sank in Cromarty Firth.

The vessel had been lying at anchor in the Firth, with a children’s party taking place on board, when an explosion occurred in the magazine, causing her to capsize and sink within five minutes. The death toll of 421 included women and children who had been attending the party.

Drew said: ‘It was a very moving ceremony, commemorating more than 400 Navy personnel and civilians that were tragically lost.’

A subsequent Royal Navy court martial concluded that the explosion was probably caused by faulty cordite.

Lucie Ranoromalala, chaplain in toamasina, Madagascar, contacted sailors’ society’s programme team to let them know about the education needs of the children in the seafaring communities.

With the help of the society, Lucie was able to purchase a number of school kits for children of a variety of ages to help them with their education.

Lucie said: ‘What great joy they had because these kits are a gift from God for seafarers’ families in toamasina.’

Following slow salvage over decades, and demolition of the remnants in the 1970s to avoid endangering navigation, the remains of HMS Natal were designated as a war grave.

After the centenary service – attended by

society helps with education

Brazilian chaplain’s humanitarian tripsalvador port chaplain Celson Amorim

joined a group of missionaries who went to the Philippines to provide

humanitarian support.Celson was part of a contingent who

helped to construct three houses, as well

as provide medical, dental and physical therapy support.

Celson said: ‘It was a remarkable experience, where we saw the reality of a very poor country. The Philippines has a joyful people, who are very nice.

‘While we were working on the construction of one of the houses, we met a lot of children who came to see us every day. We had a very good time playing football, basketball and speaking to them about the love of Jesus.

‘I promised to make something to help them, as they don’t have the financial means to meet their basic needs.

‘In Kawit Medellin, province of Cebu, I had the opportunity to talk to Pastor Rolando Gerones about Sailors’ Society’s activities. I learned that in the city there are many unemployed and retired seafarers who were affected by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.

‘Now I know that not only do the seafarers need help, but many people in the country need practical help, and most importantly, they need to know the truth that sets you free – Jesus.’

many local people, a contingent from the Royal Navy and Royal Navy Association, and a granddaughter of the captain who died in the sinking – a wreath-laying ceremony took place over the wreck.

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2015 IN REVIEWTHE SOCIETY’S INNOVATIVE YEAR

On 8 November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan, the most powerful storm ever to make landfall, struck the Philippines, killing

more than 6,000 people and leaving millions without food, shelter or a livelihood.

After an emergency appeal, which raised £225,000, Sailors’ Society – in partnership with Habitat for Humanity Philippines and

the Homer Foundation – began a campaign to rebuild seafaring communities affected by Typhoon Haiyan.

Two years on, thousands of Filipinos are benefiting from the programme, through which we have provided: fishing boats and new homes for seafarers’ families; classrooms that double as emergency community shelters; medical/

community centres; bikes for students to travel to school; two port chaplains, a project coordinator and family outreach worker, who are offering practical, financial and spiritual support.

We have a long history of contributing welfare support in the Philippines, so this was a natural progression. We are there for the long term and will continue to innovate through partnership.

help for filipinos

Developed by Rareloop, with support from MarineTraffic and Augustea, our dream for a new way of delivering global welfare support became a reality.

The Chapplaincy mobile app enables real-time activity reporting, and maintains a history of ship visits and the support provided. Data can be accessed by chaplains in other ports and – subject to confidentiality and data protection policies – can be used to provide ongoing care and assistance as ship and crew continue their voyage.

The app is the first of its kind. It enables more effective use of time and improved coordination with other welfare organisations.

Chapplaincy revolutionises the way our chaplains work with seafarers, allowing them to respond faster and follow up with a seafarer’s friends and family, even after the ship has sailed.

Earlier identification of the problems that emotionally impact seafarers will reduce safety risks, lead to a more efficient workforce and improve retention rates for shipowners.

Our Durban-based Crisis Response Centre supports seafarers in need throughout sub-Saharan Africa, by providing 24-hour rapid response and trauma counselling for survivors of piracy attacks and other disasters at sea.

Research by Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP) found that seafarers could exhibit symptoms similar to post-traumatic stress disorder simply by passing through areas at high risk of piracy – so the centre provides a vital service. It reaches traumatised crews by flying in trained teams to help local chaplains care for victims of piracy or other incidents at sea, in the western Indian Ocean and Gulf of Guinea ports.

Innovation isn’t just about new technology; it’s about finding new ways of doing the things that matter to people.

Sailors’ Society is committed to seafarers and their families, and will continue to search for innovative ways to deliver its services around the world in 2016.

CHAPPlAINCy APP wHY OuR CRISIS RESpONSE CENTRE mATTERS

Our Wellness at Sea coaching programme aims to improve seafarers’ onboard wellbeing. The vast majority of incidents at sea are attributed to ‘human error’, a term that disguises a variety of underlying problems.

Fatigue, poor mental health, stress and many other issues all affect seafarers, and between them can make the difference between safe transit and a major incident.

Wellness at Sea seeks to combat these issues by addressing ‘wellness’ as a holistic concept made up of five specific areas of wellbeing – social, emotional, physical, intellectual and spiritual.

WEllNESS AT SEAport chaplain peter Donald and a seafarer

www.sailors-society.orgTRANsFORMING LIVEs14

Last year, Sailors’ Society implemented four truly innovative major projects. Chief executive Stuart Rivers outlines how they have changed the way we transform the lives of seafarers and their families

pupils using their sailors’ society-funded bikes

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SPIRITUAL SUPPORTFAITH IS BOTH A COMFORT AND pROTECTION FOR THOSE AT HOME AND AWAY AT SEA

One hand fi rmly clasping another is a basic human expression of protection and care, and has varying signifi cance

according to the parties involved.

LOSTEtched in my mind is the memory of when, as a four-year-old, I became lost in the high street of our home town. My mother had momentarily let go of me to check her list before entering a clothes shop with my big brother to buy his school uniform. Innocent of the fact that they had disappeared through the doorway, I continued toddling along the pavement with false assurance – until , abject horror , I realised mum wasn’t there. But wait, there in front of me… I’m safe. The fi gure turns as I cry out . Despair – it’s not her.

DEEp FEELINGSSobbing expresses the feeling of total loss that has just invaded my secure world. But almost simultaneously the nightmare is over – my mother is running towards me calling my name, and we are reunited. Our separation was probably only a matter of seconds, but its imprint on my mind – more than 60 years later – highlights that universal need to feel secure.

FORMS OF SECURITYOf course, as we grow, we fi nd our security in more complex forms that soften the edge of life’s harsher realities. We are thankful for every advance in workplace safety, healthcare, and developments in confl ict resolution, for instance; but – at a basic level – what we all yearn for is to know that there is someone there to whom you mean the world: your loved ones; your family; your closest friends.

BRINGING YOU SECURITYFor Sailors’ Society, safety at sea means more than technical innovation; we aim to bring you practical love and security. We are here to try to ensure that no-one feels lost and isolated . When you desperately miss your loved ones, we help you to get in touch with them; when you feel neglected and unwanted, we try to help you realise just how valued you are; if there are troubles at home or aboard, we will make every effort to assist you. The woolly hats that we often have available for you symbolise the warmth that we want you to know – that despite the sacrifi ce, dangers and loneliness of life spent at sea, ‘all shall be well’ in the end.

All shall be well because we believe that the heart of our security is the love of God. His determined love is so great that, if we sense that we are lost, we can turn around and fi nd him pursuing us with hands that are longing to hold us safely.

‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.’ – John 3:16 New International Version (NIV).

About the author Revd Mark Ashton Warner is Sailors’ Society’s public engagement offi cer

He led me to a place of safety; he rescued me because he delights in me.

PSALM 18:19

Wise choices will watch over you.Understanding will keep you safe.

PROVERBS 2:11

You rule the oceans.You subdue their storm-tossed waves.

PSALM 89:9

Scripture quotations taken from New living Translation

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15OUR FAITHwww.sailors-society.org

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17-20 June 2016Take on the might of Three Peaks over 24 hours

and raise funds to help seafarers worldwide.

3 PEAKS2016

To register visit sailors-society.org/events/three-peaks-challengeFor more information email Siân via events@sailors-society.org

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