Container ship at Tilbury

Seafarers’ charity Apostleship of the Sea has spoken of their ongoing support for the crew of the cargo ship that suffered a serious explosion mid-Atlantic this weekend.

The MSC Flaminia suffered an explosion mid way between the US and Great Britain on Sunday resulting in one death and three injured. The other crew were rescued and transferred to another ship to be brought to Great Britain.

John Green, Apostleship of the Sea Director of Development recounted how for many years its port chaplains had visited this ship when it called at ports such as Felixstowe.

He said:  "Our ship visiting records show the crew of this ship were as human as any other with help needed from our chaplains to get to the barbers or in phoning family and loved ones at home. This tragedy is a reminder of the dangers seafarers face each day to bring us various goods we rely on. Like so many seafarers, the crew on the Flaminia lived a very hard life. But they go to sea because it’s the only way they can provide for their families."

90% of world trade is transported by ship, and more than 100,000 ships visit British ports each year. However the life of a modern seafarer can be dangerous and lonely. They may spend up to a year at a time away from home, separated from their family and loved ones, often working in harsh conditions.

AoS chaplains and ship visitors welcome seafarers to our shores - regardless of their colour, race or creed and provide them with pastoral and practical assistance. They recognise them as brothers with an intrinsic human dignity which can be overlooked in the modern globalised maritime industry.

 For more information visit www.apostleshipofthesea.org.uk