Liverpool Seafarers Centre to offer support to cruise ship crews at cruise terminal
LSC chief executive John Wilson said it has reached agreement with Liverpool City Council, and the cruise terminal, to operate a support centre from a converted shipping container
Maritime charity Liverpool Seafarers Centre (LSC) has struck a deal to provide support to thousands of cruise ship crew for the third successive year at a special base at Liverpool Cruise Terminal.
LSC chief executive John Wilson said it has reached agreement with Liverpool City Council, and the cruise terminal, to operate a support centre from a converted shipping container.
The container has been donated by the Maersk shipping line and is positioned on the terminal near Princes Parade.
Mr Wilson was speaking as he welcomed crew from the first cruise ship of the season to arrive in Liverpool, the Fred Olsen liner the MS Black Watch. The cruise season runs from April to November and 58 ships are due in Liverpool this year each with between 120 and 1,346 crew.
He explained that with most crew only permitted off ship for up to two hours it is vital to have an LSC base at the terminal itself to complement its headquarters in Crosby.
“Liverpool has a reputation for being one of the friendliest and most welcoming cities in the world to seafarers,” added Mr Wilson. “We are one of the few port cities to have a seafarer welfare centre in a cruise terminal.
“This makes all the difference to the crew, who would otherwise struggle to find the time to travel to outreach centres. Liverpool is leading the way in offering support to cruise ship crew.
“The seafarers are mostly from poor third world countries such as Bangladesh, Indonesia, India and the Philippines. They are breadwinners and spend their lives working away from their families just to send money home.
“With such a tough life it is vital they have a friendly person they can turn to, to offer confidential support, in case they have difficulties either on ship or at home.”
Corporate supporters of LSC include Mersey Maritime, of which it is a member, Essar’s Stanlow oil refinery in Ellesmere Port, Peel Ports, the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, the Mersey River Pilots, the Voluntary Aid Club and The Phoebe Wortley Charitable Trust.