Apostleship of the Sea supports crew after fatal accident

The Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) has supported the crew of the Sunmi who were distressed after a fatal accident in Gravesend, Kent on 5th October. A port pilot from the Port of London Authority died following an accident while boarding the general cargo ship in Gravesend Reach at about 6pm.

The Russian seafarers on board at the time were disturbed and deeply saddened by what had happened, and AoS Tilbury and Thames port chaplain Wojciech Holub visited them that night and the next morning to support them.

"They were disturbed and deeply saddened as a result of the accident," said Wojciech. He added: "There were no long conversations as they were busy, but our presence was much appreciated. We also provided them with means of communicating with their families."

The crew received further support from AoS when the ship called at Pasajes port in Spain early this week. AoS Pasajes port chaplain Jose Ignacio visited the crew together with a Russian seafarer living in Pasajes to offer assistance. They also gave the Captain a poster with an image of Christ. "The crew were very grateful for all the support they got, first in the UK and afterwards in Spain," said Ignacio.

The Apostleship of the Sea, AoS, is a registered charity and agency of the Catholic Bishops' Conferences of England & Wales and Scotland. It is wholly reliant on voluntary donations and legacies to continue its work.

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 see: www.apostleshipofthesea.org.uk