SCARED. ABANDONED.
WILL YOU HELP?
Can you imagine spending two long days in your floating workplace trapped and afraid while it comes under missile attack?
Or being abandoned and imprisoned in a foreign country because your dream job offer was a lie?
For some seafarers, this is their grim reality.
But when the worst happens, Sailors’ Society’s Crisis Response Network is by their sides, day and night, offering reassurance, a listening ear and support for their frantic families back home.
Will you help ensure we are there to answer the calls when seafarers desperately need us?
For many months now seafarers have been facing what is being described as the most sustained naval fight since World War II. Making the journey along the Red Sea means facing armed Houthi rebels.
One terrified crew member called our chaplain Ailton regularly as his ship came under fire.
“Some of the missiles came from above and the last one came from an unmanned boat,” said Aliton.
“They were very scared because they received a message from the terrorists, who identified themselves as Houthis, over the radio, claiming responsibility for the attack.
“Due to emotional and psychological problems, the crew members could barely perform their duties on board - they were crying, did not eat well, slept together in the corridors out of fear, suffered panic attacks, woke up at any noise and had constant nightmares.
“In one of our conversations, the seaman said he was very grateful that I was always in touch with him, listening to what he had to say. At other times, after our chat, he said he would sleep better after finishing his shift.”
Ailton is part of our global crisis team, available 24/7, 365 days a year to seafarers and their families via instant message or phone call.
More than 3,500 miles away, another chaplain in our crisis team, Boet, visits a young seafarer in prison in Umzinto, South Africa.
Anand was sentenced to a year behind bars because his paperwork expired after joining a ship that has been abandoned for the past two-and-a-half years.
Desperate, he and a crew mate, who is on remand awaiting his sentence, were arrested when they finally tried to leave the port to get home. Appeals are being lodged.
It’s the latest in a long-running saga involving three ships in the port of Durban - two have been stranded there since 2017, while the third ship arrived in 2022 to tow the other vessels out of the port. That ship was soon abandoned too.
The original crews spent months without wages, living on basic rations before they were finally repatriated.
But all this was unknown to the two Indian seafarers who thought they had applied for roles on a working vessel.
“They joined because they’re young and saw it as time at sea, but didn’t understand the situation with this ship,” explained Boet.
“I visited with Anand and managed to take him a meal, drink, some basic clothing, including woolly hats knitted by some of our volunteers, and a phone card.
“He was nervous, but he appreciated our help and support.”
Speaking through an interpreter, Anand said: “I am very grateful to all who have come together and provided warm support, clothing and toiletries for me here in prison.
“I am very far from my home in Uttarpradesh and I miss my family - but through God’s help, Padre Boet and Sailors’ Society have made my heart so much lighter. I hold you in my heart as family.”
Your donation helps make this crucial support possible.
Sailors’ Society supports seafarers and their families in need across the world. We are by their sides whenever and wherever they need us, including when they face crises like conflict, imprisonment, piracy or abandonment.
Please, if you can, help us continue to make a difference, to help us to bring them comfort in their darkest hours.
From every seafarer we help, thank you.
Today, more than ever, they need your help.
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