SWO’s Provide Pastoral Care

By Fr Jeff Drane SM

Sea Sunday 10th July 2022

Tim is a paid ship visitor at Centreport Wellington, John was a retiree who does the same role in Port Tauranga - New Zealand’s Mega-Port, Kheng is a mature chaplain at Ports of Auckland. Under the new government-funded scheme to control our borders during the pandemic they all take shopping requests from seafarers, which they busily put together before the ship arrives in their port and deliver it to the gangway with a friendly Kiwi smile. 

They also provide Wi-Fi if needed, so the seafarer can video-link with family at home. Loneliness is a very real issue for seafarers, more so during the pandemic because they cannot get off their ship anywhere in the world. If they contemplate leaving the ship before they end their contract, they are unlikely to be reemployed promptly.

Tim at Centrepoint, Wellington, delivered a large order of McDonald’s and supermarket shopping to the crew onboard the car ship, Grand Ruby.

These Ship Welfare Officers, called SWOs for short, come from many faith backgrounds. Some are members of Stella Maris – the Catholic global organisation that serves seafarers. Stella Maris, and other Church groups in New Zealand, such as the Anglican-based Mission to Seafarers and the International Seafarers’ Society, have always worked collaboratively with each other in a world-leading way. But now with government funding they all work closer under the auspices of the Seafarers’ Welfare Board of New Zealand. It is this organisation that governs and manages the services to seafarers in collaboration with local seafarer centre members. Their faith-based origins are their key point of unity. The three groups have all had to change from being local volunteer groups to more professional national organisations with greater transparency and accountability. The higher standards bring challenges and benefits never imagined before Covid.  Although the pandemic accelerated government funding to the Seafarers Welfare Board NZ, to ensure that border control was managed better, nevertheless the primary motivation for the funding was the UN International Labour Organisation’s Maritime Labour Convention, which the New Zealand government signed and became law in 2017. 

John Limrick at Tauranga having just delivered $4000 worth of shopping to the crew

It is against this historical backdrop that the SWOs continue their daily service. How do Victoria and John and Kheng now deliver these welfare services to seafarers? As well as the shopping and Wi-Fi services, the third service in the contract is listening, supporting and referring of seafarers to helping agencies. Since all three organisations that make up the Seafarers’ Welfare Board are faith-based it is essential that ship welfare officers follow the generally accepted expectations of government funded projects, as in education, health and social development. Ship Welfare Officers now serve the specific welfare needs of the seafarer irrespective of belief, gender, orientation or culture. Now, common to all service delivery in New Zealand, the SWOs are conscious of the way they stand culturally in the world. In this way they better honour Te Tiriti o Waitangi and the practice standards of Te Whare Tapa Whā (the four cornerstones of health). 

In the past our services were never used  for proselytising seafarers. Now even more, the seafarer is seen as an integral human being, who presents with welfare needs. The seafarer is now regarded as someone who requests assistance according to their specific physical, emotional, mental or spiritual needs. SWOs respond to these needs accordingly. As modelled in Te Whare Tapa Whā all houses must always have four walls or they will not stand up and the total integrity of the seafarer is always seen and respected in this way. 

Shopping for New Zealand souvenirs to take back to family in the Philippines or China is an essential value for them. Meeting New Zealanders and receiving hospitality assists with their isolation and loneliness. Being able to stand on land – now that we are moving beyond Covid – to see the beauty of our scenery is emotionally and spiritually uplifting. The provision of Wi-Fi is important so they can recount their experiences to their family back home. The same applies to buying and delivering shopping as it provides opportunities for dialogue. In Port of Napier, fresh fruit is always part of the gift offerings for dietary health. Transport to nearby shopping centres such as Bayfair Shopping Centre from Mt Maunganui will resume after Covid. 

The meaningfulness of the work for the Ship Welfare Officers is a bonus for those who are a part of it. Readers may like to assist with this work. With the slow return to a new post-pandemic world, volunteers will once again be needed to support SWOs in Seafaring Centres around the motu, especially with the impending return of cruise ships. Donations will need to resume for Stella Maris to play a stronger role as the government funding is only for a portion of the associated costs. Your help would be deeply appreciated, either by praying for our work, volunteering, or donating to the Apostleship of the Sea. 

If you feel compassion for seafarers and fishers  and would like to help in this work:

Please PRAY FOR THE WORK this Sea Sunday 10th July 2022  

OR  CONTACT the National Director to discuss HOW you may help: Ph 027 492 0250  or jeffdrane@aos.org.nz 

OR  DONATE by Direct Credit

Account Number: 06 0582 0083650 00 Account Name: Apostleship of the Sea Inc. 

Please be sure to email roseceleste@aos.org.nz to receive a Receipt.

OR DONATE by Credit Card Please cut out the form below and post to: 

…………………………………………………………………………………………………….

APOSTLESHIP OF THE SEA, P. O. Box 25-563 , Wellington 6140:

Cardholder name: ............................................................      Donation Amount $....................

Credit card number: .........................................................       (Visa Only)

Signature:  .................................................................................  Expiry date:  ....................