Sam had recently been struck by how much of the ministry of SCFS not only in Belfast but by all our staff is not to the multitudes, or to whole crews, but to the individual seafarer. Some like Ian, from the Philippines that he meet firstly in the year 2000 and on and off over [...]
Author Archives: SCFS
New Service to Seafarers!
October 9, 2011 – 3:54 pm
Colin was on a liner and people flocked around the table of Christian 'goodies'. However, because he had turned on his wi-fi device there was soon an internet cafe set up with 6 people checking their mail etc. They really appreciated this and it hadn't been done before. Colin had to put his device inside [...]
And please bring more books!
October 6, 2011 – 3:53 pm
These words were part of an email Ecki received a few weeks ago from a Christian captain. He had already known this brother for some years and he is leading a weekly bible study where everyone attends. Besides his leadership skills, he is also a very humble man and as you can imagine Ecki was [...]
On Yer Bike!
February 9, 2011 – 5:46 pm
Again the effect of the recession and the new Solis 2010 regulations has been having an effect on the crews. During a visit to the Ben Maye, I was informed that one of the sister ships was being sold for scrap and a captain made redundant. During the deputation meetings I made an appeal for [...]
The Harsh Reality Of Separation
February 9, 2011 – 5:45 pm
December is one of our busiest months, but the snow came, the temperature dropped and more snow came so for a while ship visiting had to stop. This makes it even more lonely for the seamen, as they are away from home and families at Christmas. When conditions improved, John was talking to a Filipino [...]
Wakey Wakey!
February 9, 2011 – 5:44 pm
Bringing mobile broadband to ships is becoming very popular, and in conjunction with phone cards, this means I can help seafarers connect more easily with their loved ones. Again and again I am setting up mini "internet cafes" on board where 5 laptops can run from the portable wifi modem I bring. Until ships have [...]
Time on a ship, by John Barnard
February 2, 2010 – 11:52 am
Time on a ship Life on a ship is governed by time. From the moment a seaman joins his ship, he starts to mark the days on the calendar to the time that he should return home. Time for keeping watch on deck or in the engine room. Time for meals and sleep. Time to [...]
Colin Jenkins tells of the dangers and hardships seamen face on a daily basis
January 27, 2010 – 10:03 am
Colin Jenkins in Cork, tells of the variety of his ship visits and the dangers and hardships seamen face on a daily basis. On a ship there can be from 5 to 30 different people. Each represents a different family and often 2-6 different nationalities are represented. On a cruise liner this is magnified and [...]
SCFS returns to Malta after 42 years!
August 25, 2009 – 4:04 pm
Monday 10 August 2009 leaders of The Evangelical Alliance of Malta (TEAM) announced the launch of Maritime Ministries of Malta (MMM). As a special meeting held in Malta the Constitution was signed to signal the commencement of this new ministry to seafarers. Said Pastor Edwin Caruana, acting President of MMM: ‘Valletta is a busy port [...]
Fred Merry goes shopping!
August 25, 2009 – 4:00 pm
There are times when all that is really wanted by seafarers is some practical help and understanding. One day recently Fred collected two seamen from their ship and took them along to the seafarers' centre. He then took them onto the large shopping centre at Lakeside where he helped out by taking them around some [...]
