Our Mission is to boldly be there for our seafarers
It provides a welcome in every port and is one of the last surviving missions in the world.
And Christian charity Mission to Seafarers carries out important work in Troon to support crews docking in the port.
The mission invites churches to get involved in the good work to ease the lonely and difficult life of many sailors.
Rev Tim Tunley, the mission’s chaplain for Scotland, visits Troon every fortnight where he meets seafarers from around the world.
He is a busy man who helps offer 24 hour emergency response to more than 70 Scottish ports.
Rev Tunley said: “Seafaring is still one of the most dangerous occupations, and life at sea often means being apart from your family for over six months at a time, often with little communication.
“We sit down together and talk. We strive to be their friend, whether we meet them 100 times or once.”
The charity provides practical, emotional and spiritual support to those of any nationality or religion.
Linked to the Anglican Church, and the Episcopal Church in Scotland, the mission carries out ship visits, emergency support and meets other needs such as providing wi- fi and phone cards.
Laura Brown, the missions’ development manager, UK and Europe, said: “The work the mission carries out across Scotland ranges from every day ship visiting to more serious concerns, like abandonment, non- payment of wages, bullying or hospital visits.
“Whilst the majority of shipping companies are highly responsible, sadly there are still some who do not have the best interests of the seafarers at heart. We are lucky to have continued support from churches which ensures the mission, now 160 years old, continues to be able to carry out their vital work.”
Churches are encouraged to get involved by knitting hats for crews or hosting a Sea Sunday service to pay respect to their work.”
The mission was founded in 1856 by the Reverend John Ashley to help seafarers originally departing from ports in London. Since then it has expanded to cover 200 ports across the world.
Learn more at www. missiontoseafarers. org.