Cruise ships calling at Liverpool are crewed by hardworking seafarers who spend long periods away from their homes and families – this year a new hub offered much-needed support. Tony McDonough reports
This summer Liverpool Cruise Terminal welcomed 97 vessels carrying passengers enjoying a life of luxury – but for the hardworking crews it is anything but a holiday.
Those 97 ships were crewed by a total of 55,575 seafarers whose job it is to ensure the ship runs smoothly and like clockwork 24 hours. They work hard and are spending months at a time or more often thousands of miles away from their homes and families.
A seafarer’s life can be a lonely one and this summer the newly-established Crew Welfare Hub at Liverpool Cruise Terminal aimed to make life a little bit easier for these dedicated maritime workers.
This hub is a collaboration between the cruise terminal and Liverpool Seafarers Centre (LSC), a charity that already offers support services for crew on commercial vessels calling at the Port of Liverpool.
Its convenient location within the terminal has proven invaluable for crew members, many of whom have limited time ashore. A range of practical and emotional support services were offered by the terminal, LSC staff and a team of 20 volunteers.
By providing a comfortable and supportive environment, both indoors and outside, the Crew Welfare Hub has enabled seafarers to access essential services and enjoy a well-deserved break.
Crews had access to amenities including complimentary Wi-Fi, refreshments, and essential shopping options, such as discounted SIM cards to help them stay connected with family and friends back home.
They could also receive city guides and local information from staff and volunteers, who served as ambassadors for Liverpool, showcasing its many attractions.
Currency exchange services were also available at the hub, allowing crew members to purchase local souvenirs and even Asian snacks.
A convenient parcel service was available, allowing crew to arrange for packages to be delivered to the seafarers’ centre for easy pickup while in Liverpool.
And a dedicated team of ship welfare visitors and volunteers was on hand to offer assistance and guidance. Staff and volunteers shared cups of tea, coffee, and hot chocolate with the crews and listened to fascinating stories from around the globe.
“We are delighted with the success of the Crew Welfare Hub,” said Kinga Davies, deputy manager at LSC. “It has become a vital resource for visiting crew, offering a much-needed respite from the demands of life at sea.
“We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all the staff and volunteers for their invaluable support in making this service possible for seafarers.”
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Liverpool Seafarers Centre gives front-line support to 50,000 seafarers passing through the Port of Liverpool each year. Its mission is to provide practical, emotional and spiritual support as well as working as an ambassador for the Port of Liverpool.
It relies wholly on voluntary contributions and can only continue its work through the generous donations of supporters and volunteers. For more information on how to help click here.