From the Mission to Seafarers
The Mission to Seafarers in Hong Kong celebrated its 150th Anniversary of providing welfare services to seafarers and held a charity gala dinner entitled Celebrating our Past, Present and Future at the Sheraton Hong Kong Hotel and Towers on Wednesday 13 November.
Over 320 people attended the event which was followed by a raffle, a silent auction and a live auction to raise funds for the Mission’s launch vessel used to visit seafarers at anchor in Hong Kong Harbour, which after 20 years of service needs replacement.
Sponsors of the event included shipping companies: TCC Group, OOCL, Swire Trust, Wah Kwong, London Offshore Consultants, Hong Kong International, Terminals, Pacific Basin, Clarksons, Maersk Line and HUD Group; and was held in association with The Nautical Institute (Hong Kong), Merchant Navy Officers’ Guild (Hong Kong), Young Professionals in Shipping Network, and the Hong Kong Shipowners’ Association.
The Secretary General of The Mission to Seafarers, the Revd Andrew Wright delivered a message from the Mission’s President, HRH The Princess Royal, which read:
"Congratulations to The Sailors’ Home and Missions to Seamen Hong Kong on the landmark achievement of 150 years’ service to the local and international seafarers in Hong Kong. Through the years the Mission has been in many locations, changing with the times depending on the local and international shipping trends. The one thing that has remained constant throughout the last 150 years is the dedication and service of the Mission’s chaplains and staff in caring for the spiritual and pastoral welfare of seafarers.
"In a world that is often filled with uncertainty, the one thing that many seafarers depend upon is the presence of the Mission in ports where their vessels call around the world. I hope that your night of celebration will not only be looking back over the past 150 years but will also be a time to look to the future and the challenges that lay ahead; and I wish it every success in the years to come."
Mr Kenneth Koo Group Chairman of TCC Group said: "The work of the Mission is still largely an anonymous behind-the-scenes effort that contributes greatly to Hong Kong’s popularity as a world class port. While Hong Kong, continually receives accolades from the world over, port welfare in Hong Kong goes largely unnoticed. But for our seafarers, the people on the ‘frontline’ who make ‘maritime’ work, the care they receive from the chaplains based in Hong Kong and the facilities, such as that of the two Mariner’s Club here in Tsimshatsui and Kwai Chung, enables them to at least call Hong Kong a 'home away from home'".
The Mission chaplain in Hong Kong, Revd Stephen Miller, has been located at the centre, known locally as The Mariners’ Club, since 2011. He has helped seafarers with issues such as non-payment of wages, work contracts and family issues. He also visits vessels at anchor using the Mission Launch taking essential items to seafarers unable to come ashore such as newspapers and DVDs in various languages.
Stephen said: "The gala dinner was a great success, we raised HK$1.4m (£118,000) on the night towards a new Mission launch vessel; and it was also a memorable night for the maritime industry of Hong Kong to come together and celebrate a great achievement in the welfare provision for seafarers."
If you would like to find out more about supporting the Mission in Hong Kong please contact Revd Stephen Miller: srchaplain@biznetvigator.comor for more information on the centres visit http://www.marinersclub.org.hk/.