Hugh Michael [hugh.michael@scfs.org]
As the fourth largest freight port in the UK, and set in the heart of the only Coastal National Park in Great Britain, Milford Haven Port Authority is responsible for the biggest port in Wales, and one of the most prominent on the West Coast.
Pembroke Dock Ferry Terminal is used by Irish Ferries for their daily sailings to and from Ireland. The majority of the ships visiting the port are involved in the oil industry, using the jetties for the Chevron/Texaco, Petroplus, and Total refineries. A new large LNG terminal is under construction and due to be operational in 2007. This will attract new vessels bringing the liquefied natural gas to the UK.
I am representing SCFS here as well as pastoring Zion Free Church in Pembroke Dock. I use my home, a large Victorian house in Pembroke Dock, to welcome visiting seafarers and offer them a home from home for a few hours ashore. My wife, Angela, looks after the tea, coffee and cakes. When we have services in the church, the seafarers are well received by the congregation.
Although the jetties are close by sea, the road trip to the Chevron/Texaco jetty is a 22mile round trip, which entails a 44mile drive to collect seafarers, bring them home, and return them to the ship later. I have a 7-seater Mitsubishi Pajero for the transport needs, which also contains the scripture portions, Bibles, hats, scarves and other handy things like toothpaste and disposable razors that are so appreciated by those at sea.The Port of Pembroke however is only a 5 minute walk from my door.
Over the years we have met many of the Lord's people serving aboard the ships, some have even preached at the church when they have been in port. It is a privilege to be some help to the Lord's seafaring people when they are away from home. Others have found faith and grown strong to serve the Lord.
How did I get involved in the work? My family have been associated with the sea for generations, mostly as ships engineers. My great grandfather, a chief engineer, lost his life at sea not 80 miles from where I live after his ship was torpedoed. My grandfather and my father were also at sea in the merchant navy and benefited from the seaman's missions and societies formed to show concern for the physical and spiritual needs of seamen. I am the first of the family not to go to sea, but seem to find myself quite at home on board the ships I visit. Only very occasionally is my presence not appreciated, but mostly I receive a warm welcome on board.
If you would like to know about the port, see the lists of the ships expected and at berth or are interested to see the port webcams, visit the port website: www.mhpa.co.uk and follow the links from the home page.
Hugh Michael.