The Flying angel logo is inspired by a verse in the Bible Revelation 14 verse 6 "Then I saw another angel flying high in the air, with an eternal message of Good News to announce to the peoples of the earth. To every race, tribe language and nation." This is what the Mersey Mission to Seafarers does by serving all Seafarers from around the world that visit the ports of the Mersey. We are also responsible for the Isle of Man and on behalf of The Mission to Seafarers we cover Fleetwood and the Manchester Ship Canal. Jesus knew Seafarers were special In the Bible seafarers have always been special people. In the Old Testament we hear of God making Noah the first shipbuilder (Genesis 6). In the book of Jonah we see the beginning of maritime law as the ship was in danger the cargo was thrown overboard to save the crew. The law still applies today but on that occasion the cargo included Jonah (Jonah 1). In the New Testament we heard that Jesus called seafarers, the fishermen to become his first disciples (Matthew 4, Mark 1, Luke 5). There are many stories of the time Jesus spent on the seas and lakes and the most memorable one involved Jesus calming the storm to save the disciples (Mark 4). Who needs Seafarers? Sometimes it is easy to think of ships and shipping and forget the people who work on them. We need seafarers. Over 95% of everything we use in the UK comes to us by sea. Seafarers sailing ships to the various Mersey Docks and River Terminals support 30 + million tonnes of cargo throughput each year. Containers, Coal, Scrap, Animal Feed Stuff, Grain, Paper, Timber, Oil and Oil products and chemicals are principal trading commodities. The vibrant Irish Sea trades are supported by daily ferry sailings to IOM, Belfast and Dublin. Seafarers leave their homes and families for 3-month, 6-month and 9-month contracts while some are even away for a year or two. They work in an industry that is dangerous and so often they are isolated. Many different nationalities can now work on one ship and seafarers can be very much alone. Rough seas, hazardous equipment and in some areas of the world piracy is still a problem. Seafarers get injured and even killed. Historically seafarers have always been a forgotten people. Since 1855 The Mersey Mission to Seafarers, (formerly The Mersey Mission to Seaman) has worked on the River Mersey. First by opening chapels on converted ships and then by building clubs and hostels. Daily Ship visiting is important The Mersey Mission to Seafarers chaplaincy staff visit ships daily. Here we can befriend seafarers that need friends. By the nature of the seafarers job they are strangers in so many ports and they know that the Mission Chaplains are there to help them. Transport The Mersey Mission to Seafarers is responsible for all of the ports on the Mersey. With ships being in port for a few short hours then it is important that seafarers can get ashore. The Mission provides transport to the centre from the ships and returns the seafarers after their time ashore. They simply have to call the free phone number and a mini bus collects them. We also take seafarers shopping and on sight seeing tours. Precious time ashore In the Flying Angel Club seafarers are able to relax and enjoy their short social time ashore. They can call home, have a drink, play a little pool. The Club also operates a friend's scheme where by local people can use the facilities alongside the seafarers. For more information please contact the Mission. What our service means When things go wrong the Mersey Mission Chaplains, staff and volunteers are on hand to help and support seafarers. Questions are asked, Why? What if? Time is given to listen and to help seafarers contact home. On one ship a seafarer is badly hurt in an accident on board. He has been badly crushed by a container. He is in intensive care. Chaplaincy staff from the Mission sit at his bedside and pray for him. They help the hospital to contact the ships owner or agents, arrange interpreters and contact the seafarers family across the world. They persuade the shipping company to bring the family to the bedside and they arrange accommodation and interpreters for them. They continue to visit the seafarer and his family and after three months they drive them to the airport as they fly home to continue their recovery. On another ship there is a call for help from a crew who have not been paid for six months, their families back home are in terrible way. There is little food, no drinking water or heating on board. The Chaplaincy staff support the seafarers whilst they contact the unions and get help. They arrange for portable heaters and bottled water to be put on the ship. A local community centre is asked to open its doors and allow them to use the shower facilities. Food is arranged with the help of local people. After a month the crew are paid and sent home and a new crew joins the ship sail and the problems start again. Phone Home Being in touch with the family is an important to anyone and this is especially so for seafarers. The International Seafarers Mission card, which is operated by The Mersey Mission to Seafarers in co-operation with several European missions, has revolutionised the way the seafarers contact their family. Rates are very competitive and give the seafarers longer time to talk to their families and loved ones at home. Chapel The Chapel of the Good Shepherd at the Mission has services regularly. Daily prayers are held at 9:45am and 9pm each day and the Eucharist is celebrated on Sundays. Retired In the Merseyside area are many seafarers who have retired or are unemployed. With the help of the Shipwrecked Mariners Society, The Mersey Mission to seafarers is able to help these seafarers too. As an independent Mersey Charity we are entirely dependent on voluntary contributions and so any donations are always gratefully received. A donation will help our vital work amongst seafarers in the ports of the Mersey River and IOM. Gift Aid - If you pay income tax you can increase the value of your donation. Sponsorship of one of our events, some equipment, a day or an evening in the Mission. All these can be sponsored and appreciation, advertising and press coverage given. Collections made by companies' staff are always appreciated. Especially of money, paperback books and video films for the seafarers on the ships. Sponsored Corporate Events - We can help organise golf days, parachuting, go-karting and other days to help raise money for the Mission. Legacies - when considering your will, remember the Mersey Mission to Seafarers and the seafarers it serves. Give time - help as a volunteer, ship visitor or fund raiser.