Volunteer News Mission to Seafarers Scotland

Volunteer News

The Mission to Seafarers Scotland Issue 1

Inside

The family living a nightmare...

Our veteran volunteer tells all...

How our volunteers change lives at the sharp end...

Meet the hero Scot who’s saved hundred's of lives at sea...

And more....

Caring for seafarers around the world

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Welcome

Opportunities to develop, a sense of being part of something meaningful, and the satisfaction of helping others.

These are just three of the many benefits our volunteers say they experience when carrying out our vital work around the globe.

Now the first edition of our new magazine celebrates those amazing volunteers right here in Scotland.

Our selfless volunteers would tell you that the sense of satisfaction they get from their work is thanks enough.

But we want to say thank you, and to share their experiences with others - and we want you to join us in our quest.

And with 1.5 million seafarers facing danger every single day to feed their families - and keep the global economy turning - we simply can’t allow that to happen.

Piracy, shipwreck, abandonment, and separation from loved ones are just some of the issues faced by the brave men and women who work at sea.

But our volunteers are there to help.

Twenty four hours a day, seven days a week, the Mission to Seafarers provide a wide range of support through a global network of volunteers, chaplains and staff.

Read on to find out what our volunteers do, why they do it, and the incredible difference it makes to the lives of those who need it most.

And of course, to discover what you can do to help.

For without our volunteers we would never be able to help so many seafarers in Scotland.

Global Mission.....................................................................................................................................3 Scots dad at sea after global mission...................................................................................................4 The Mission To Seafarers - Who Are We..............................................................................................5 Living a nightmare...............................................................................................................................6 Veteran Volunteer................................................................................................................................7 Grangemouth safe haven.....................................................................................................................8 How you can help................................................................................................................................8 Training..............................................................................................................................................10 Thank you Forth Ports........................................................................................................................11 Act now to change lives.....................................................................................................................11

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Global Mission Ports were we work

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Scots dad all out at sea

A hero dad risked his life to save 250 migrants fleeing the horrors of war.

Newborn babies, traumatised children, the disabled and injured were amongst the 250 souls the dad-of-one rescued from certain death at sea.

Iain Brown, 52, left behind his family and his business to take up a role as an elite rescue swimmer in the Aegean Sea, thanks to a donation

by The MIssion to Seafarers Scotland.

The funds which provided essential safety equipment, meant Iain, from Ayr, was able to purchase vital equipment before heading to join charity Migrant Offshore Aid Station.

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“They were minutes from death but we managed to get there in time.” ......................................................................

The charity operate the Topaz Responder rescue vessel, which roams the Aegean and Mediterranean Seas to help desperate refugees forced to take drastic action in a bid to seek a European safe haven.

Photographer Iain said it was the children who were most difficult to deal with.

“How do you even go about putting a life jacket on a newborn?

“Often they stop crying like they have gone into shock. They freeze.

“One boy, a Syrian aged about 12, refused to speak.

“I don’t know if it was his experience of war - the bombs - or the fraught sea journey, but he was struck dumb.

“I noticed teenagers weren’t dealing very well with it, and that was difficult because it made me think of my own daughter Chloe, who is 16.”

“One man was lying in a boat covered in a foot of water and mud.

“He couldn’t move - we were scrambling about trying to find his wheelchair.

“Another was unconscious from the toxic fumes of a boat engine that had broken down.

“There were 39 migrants on that boat and it had a massive hole in the side.

“They were minutes from death but we managed to get there in time.”

The extent of the migrants’ suffering is unthinkable.

But the crisis is in the region is now so vast that seafarers are being thrust into the the thick of it.

Some Greek fishermen are refusing to go out to sea, for fear what they might bring up in their nets.

And merchant vessels who come across stricken refugee boats are taking action and risks, to help.

Commercial vessels are not equipped to handle migrant rescues.

Staff are not trained to handle rescues from the swells, or to provide the medical help many migrants need - let alone meet their psychological and spiritual needs.

All of this means commercial seafarers are being forced to deal with one of the worst humanitarian disasters of our time.

Secretary General of the Mission to Seafarers, Andrew Wright, said: “In 2016 we plan to expand our work in the eastern Mediterranean, as well as provide meaningful assistance to crews affected by the refugee and migrant crisis.”

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The Mission To Seafarers Scotland Who we are Founded in 1856, and entirely funded by voluntary donations, today’s Mission to Seafarers offers emergency assistance, practical support, and a friendly welcome to crews visiting over 200 ports around the world.

Whether caring for victims of piracy or providing a lifeline to those stranded in foreign ports, we are there for the globe’s 1.3 million merchant seafarers of all ranks, nationalities and beliefs.

To find out how we help those facing shipwreck, abandonment, loneliness and danger, visit our website: www.missiontoseafarers.org

Our impact Day and night, the Mission is on call for seafarers in over 200 ports worldwide. Seafarers seek our assistance because all too often they have nowhere else to turn. Our chaplains send in stories about the seafarers they meet every day, and each one gives a snapshot of the kinds of challenges and trauma seafarers face, and how our teams around the world support them.

What we do Whether caring for victims of piracy, providing a lifeline to seafarers stranded in foreign ports, or simply providing a space to relax and a listening ear, the Mission is on hand night and day to support the world’s 1.5 million seafarers.

Our services include Ship-visiting: our chaplains visit hundreds of ships a day in ports around the world to provide a friendly welcome and offer help, support and advice.

Flying Angel centres: we have seafarers’ centres in 121 ports, offering refreshments, television, books, recreational activities, internet and phone facilities and the chance to spend time away from the ship.

Justice and welfare services: when a seafarer has not been paid, is working in substandard conditions, being bullied or has been a victim of wrongful arrest, our staff can intervene and put them in touch with professional support and legal advice through local expertise and contacts.

Communication: The Flying Angel phone card is known by seafarers everywhere, providing a vital link to friends and family. Our centres provide telephones and Wi-Fi internet for email and Skype calls. We print and publish six editions of our international newspaper for seafarers, The Sea, each year, which features articles translated into Spanish, Russian and Chinese.

Counselling: harsh working conditions, tensions between crew members and isolation from friends and family can take their toll on seafarers, leading to depression, anxiety and loneliness. Our chaplains are experienced counsellors, on hand to listen and offer sympathy and advice.

Post-trauma care: our chaplains are trained to recognise and respond to signs of post-traumatic stress disorder. In the aftermath of pirate attack, shipwreck or industrial disaster they offer a caring response in the midst of post-event interrogation and bureaucracy.

Transport: many ports are located in industrial areas miles away from towns, shops and amenities. We provide tra­­nsport so that seafarers can make the most of their brief time ashore.

High-level advocacy: we work to uphold seafarers’ rights and ensure justice, fair pay and good working conditions at sea. We are in constant dialogue with the shipping industry, international governments and regulatory bodies.

Emergency support: in cases of pirate attack, shipwreck, abandonment, serious injury or bereavement, the Mission is on hand to offer whatever assistance a seafarer needs, from food to phone calls home.

Spiritual support: The Mission to Seafarers is a society of the Anglican church. Our chaplains provide Christian services, spiritual support and opportunities for prayer and quiet reflection.

We serve seafarers of all beliefs and work in partnership with other faith groups to meet their spiritual needs, whatever they may be.

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Living a nightmare Mission to Seafarers Assists Scottish Seafarer Jailed in India

stand in solidarity. supporting our men, fighting for their freedom, and we will never give up on them.”

The British families of the Seaman Guard Ohio crew called an emergency rally in Carlisle to raise awareness of the plight of their loved ones imprisoned in India. The event was timed to coincide with an important meeting convened with the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) Minister Hugo Swire MP. The families are calling for urgent action by the UK government to assist them bring pressure to bear on the Indian Authorities, and support them to bring the men home.

Lisa Dunn, sister of Nick Dunn from Ashington Northumberland, said: “The devastating impact this ordeal has had and is currently having on our whole family is indescribable and completely incomprehensible. This has consumed our lives for the last 31 months, and we never believed it could ever unfold in a result of a guilty verdict.

The meeting we have with Minister Swire and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office is vitally important and gives us, the families, the opportunity to stand united and show that we will not accept this verdict. We are the voices of the men and our men deserve to know what steps are in place now with the British Government to help overturn this horrific miscarriage of justice."

The 6 British men were working on board the MV Seaman Guard Ohio as armed guards and maintain they were lawfully employed as security personnel. They insist that they were protecting merchant shipping in the Gulf of Aden against Somali pirates. The vessel was out at sea when the Indian coast guard arrested the ship and brought it into Tuticorin port in Tamil Nadu. 35 men on the vessel were charged with possession of firearms and arrested on 18 October 2013. In January this year they were found guilty of the charges and sent to prison for five years. A fresh legal appeal is in preparation and it is hoped that the case will be heard in June.

Yvonne MacHugh, partner of Billy Irving from Connel in Argyll Scotland, said: “If you had asked me on this day last year how I felt I would have told you that things couldn't get any worse.... sadly they have, and innocent men are now locked up for a crime the did not commit. We've taken the opportunity of meeting with Hugo Swire and the FCO as a chance to show the men, the British government and India that we

their families is another burden. Meanwhile the maritime security company Advanfort that employs the men has failed to pay their wages throughout this time of detention. It has failed to recognise its responsibility and abandoned the men. The financial difficulties compound the suffering and it needs to come to an end without further delay."

The other British men imprisoned in India are John Armstrong from Wigton, Cumbria, Nicholas Simpson, from Catterick North Yorkshire and Ray Tindall, from Chester in Cheshire.

Their families have asked that supporters write to their local papers or MP on this matter, particularly those from the shipping and maritime industries who can vouch for

the crew. You can talk to families via their Facebook page or on Twitter via #FreeSGO6 and #SeamanGuardOhio.

The families have relaunched a petition which will be handed to Prime Minister David Cameron calling on help for the men and which has now been signed by around 350,000 people. www.change.org/p/british-foreign-secretaryfree-the-6-british-ex-soldiers-from-indian-jail A national social media campaign #FreeSGO6 has been launched and families hope to raise funds to support the crewmen via The Mission to Seafarers’ JustGiving website. The families have so far raised over £33,000 but hope to raise more as the legal battle continues. www.justgiving.com/freesgo6

The Revd Canon Ken Peters, Director of Justice and Public Affairs, The Mission to Seafarers, who has been supporting the British families involved in this case since the men were first arrested, said: “This human tragedy drags on and the toll on the men and their families is devastating. I admire the amazing resilience of the men as they try to cope with the situation they are in, even though innocent in both intent and action. They were protecting otherwise defenceless seafarers from pirate attack and yet are unreasonably detained because of a complete lack of understanding as to the safety they were offering. The families are distraught with worry and are frustrated by the slow pace and lack of progress in the legal proceedings.

As we are within a month of the High Court appeal there is worry that there will be yet another adjournment with further delays. The additional pressure this brings on the men and Seaman Guard Ohio Crew

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Veteran Volunteer

A career in social work followed, until he returned to The Mission to Seafarers in a professional capacity in 1996 as a member of the Board.

Ray, who lives in Linlithgow, retired three years ago and has returned to volunteering.

He said: “Volunteers work in pairs so that we can look after each other.

“Container and bulk carrier ships come into Grangemouth, along with bigger cruise ships.

“For these we work in groups of three or four on a set day with a chaplain from The Mission to Seafarers Scotland or the Apostleship of the Sea, a charity who we work alongside.

“We would spend a morning doing that, at least once a week.

“The timing is important, the crew might be sleeping, or getting lunch and we want to see as many as we can.

“We do things like provide phone cards, and make newspapers and the MtS publication, The Sea available so that they can read about what’s going on in the world.

Ray Myers (RHS) with seafarers at Grangemouth

Being a volunteer for the The Mission To Seafarers Scotland can open up a world of opportunity.

And he still volunteers every week from our Grangemouth Seafarers Welfare Centre, selflessly giving up his own time to provide much needed support to seafarers from around the globe.

Just ask grandad Ray Myers - who first volunteered for the Mission to Seafares as a student volunteer in 1975, changing his life forever.

Ray admits the satisfaction he gets from the varied role is something he could never imagine giving up.

Forty years on, he has come full circle, and his enthusiasm for helping others is as strong as ever.

While in his twenties, Ray became a student volunteer for the MtS in Holland.

Now, 62-year-old Ray sits on the Board of Trustees for The Mission To Seafarers Scotland.

The move turned out to be a pivotal moment, sparking a lifelong vocation in caring for others.

“Seafarers are pleased to see us aboard, taking an interest in them.

“Sometimes it is the little things that matter, like helping someone get to a shop to change money, or get soap.

“If I was in a strange country I would like to see somebody who could help orientate me.

“It’s about dealing with people in everyday situations that are affecting them in a straightforward manner.

“The language barrier can be an issue sometimes, but the majority know of the MtSS, we are a recognised voice and face for seafarers.

“The key is to enable people to get things done in the short time they are here.

“If there is a more serious issue that needs passed up the line, we need to be mindful of that.

“You might pick up that they are reluctant to do that themselves for various reasons, and we would flag that to a chaplain.”

And Ray, who has an 18-month-old granddaughter, says following in his footsteps might change your life too.

“It’s an area I wouldn’t walk away from,” he said.

“Volunteering opens up an array of potential avenues - a whole new other world.

“It’s served me well over the years - and it’s serendipity that I have come full circle and I’m volunteering again, which is how it all started.

“I do feel it might open up other opportunities for people.

“It can reveal layer of skills that you may have lost over the years.

“It’s a simple way to achieve something meaningful.

“Think of a teenager at sea for the first time, they might have been working on a cruise ship for nine months, something they have never done before.

“If you reflect on how they might be feeling, it is a massive issue for them.

“If you help someone manage to phone home it is a basic thing, but you have achieved that for that individual.

“The little things can matter, I think.”

We urgently need amazing volunteers like Ray to continue our important work around the globe.

If you think you have what it takes to follow in Ray’s footsteps, please contact us now.

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Grangemouth’s safe haven Seafarers say any port is welcome in a storm.

And while that may be true, our splendid Seafarers Welfare Centre is at one of the country’s key commercial maritime centres Forth Port’s Grangemouth dock.

The facility puts us at the heart of Scotland’s commercial maritime operations.

And that means we are better placed to help more seafarers in need than ever before.

It serves as a home from home for seafarers arriving at the port, and it has already seen more than 1100 souls come through its doors.

Some are eager for some time on dry land, a cup- of-tea, and a conversation with a friendly face.

Others may need help to contact loved ones on the other side of the world after months, or years, spent apart.

such as The Mission to Seafarers Journal, The Sea, and other newspapers and magazines.

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Dedicated volunteers, armed with sought after ‘phone cards, make regular ship visits from Monday to Friday. And a 24/7 emergency response is also available if and when required. ...................................................................

Now plans are being hatched to further improve the vital facilities at the Grangemouth Centre.

With a little help from our friends, the centre will soon provide free hot drinks, and even a games area to play pool and table tennis.

And some may be facing even more pressing issues, such as abandonment or non-payment of wages.

At our Grangemouth Welfare Centre - a joint project with Apostleship of the Sea - we are well placed to help.

It provides free access to a fast and reliable internet connection, offering seafarers the chance to speak with family members. Other services included a washroom, and facilities for some much needed, shore-based respite.

Free woolly hats, hand knitted by volunteers and exclusively for visiting seafarers, are available, along with a number of publicaions

MP’s Grangemouth Centre Speech

A car has already been secured for use at the centre. And after a volunteer driver is recruited, free transport will be available to the centre for seafarers from berths which are currently difficult to reach.

Details of how you can get involved at Grangemouth are on page 11.

Business leaders gathered recently to celebrate the first anniversary of The Mission to Seafarers’ Scotlands Grangemouth Centre.

He thanked the assembled guests on behalf of the MtS for their help and support so far in the area.

Speaking at the business breakfast event, which was funded by the Navy Welfare Board, was MP for Linlithgow and Falkirk East, Martyn Day.

After breakfast the guests all enjoyed a networking opportunity hosted by MtS business development manager Laura Brown.

Mr Day addressed the group, many of whom rely on seafarers to ensure goods are brought in and out of the port, at the Grange Manor Hotel in the town.

And he went on to share future plans for the centre, which include improved facilities, including table tennis and pool tables to help seafarers relax.

Chaplian Tim Tunley, Martyn Day MP, Martin Clark, Vice Chair MtSS

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How you can help Volunteers are urgently required to fill vital roles in the Forth Ports area.

Busy periods include March to October when cruise ships are in the port, but Christmas is usually much quieter - giving you time to get some rest and relaxation of your own.

You will need to have resolve, and be prepared to face the challenge head-on. But you won’t be alone, with an experienced chaplain by your side and fellow volunteers and staff to rely on.

You may be the one person a seafarer has been desperate to see for months - the person who can alleviate their worries and make a big difference to their lives.

If you’re looking for an opportunity to make a genuine impact on the lives of hardworking seafarers, and think you have what it takes, please get in touch now.

Ship Visitors - Welcome aboard.

You will meet amazing people from all over the world, and gain personal satisfaction from making a genuine difference to the lives of seafarers facing hardship.

And we’ll even make sure you have world class training to help you fill your new role.

Drivers If you have the drive to help - we’ll put you behind the wheel.

Our Grangemouth Seafarers Centre is up and running thanks to generous assistance from Forth Ports.

Weary men and women who have been at sea for months - or even years - can enjoy time onshore at the centre, designed to act as a comforting home from home.

But the warm and welcoming centre is about a mile from the port.

Now we need someone with a friendly face and a can-do attitude to ferry our seafarers from their ships to the centre.

You’ll need a driving licence, but we have a brand new car ready to use.

And you’ll need to be able to think on your feet too.

We are urgently looking for volunteers to perform this vital role at the heart of what we do.

Seafarers working on merchant cruise ships can be separated from their loved ones for months, or even years.

Many hail from countries on the other side of the world, such as Malaysia and Russia.

For you’ll be the first point of contact for seafarers who may have a wide range of needs.

Every year we expect to see a high number of cruise ships as well as the merchant ships berth in the Forth Ports area, providing a welcome reprieve for weary staff.

Some will need help getting online, or access to sim cards to contact loved ones.

Undoubtedly, some seafarers will arrive on land with urgent issues they need help with.

Others may need more profound help.

And we need you to be their port in a storm.

Our volunteers have provided care and assistance to seafarers who have faced piracy, abandonment, injury and non-payment of wages.

Some will want desperately to contact their families, thousands of miles away.

You’ll be trained to help, and you won’t be alone when taking part in at least one session per month as a minimum.

Others may be facing work related issues, need spiritual support, or perhaps just some time away from it all with a cup of tea and a conversation.

After being invited aboard along with a fellow volunteer or a chaplain, you’ll put your training to good use.

Having undertaken a residential training course, funded for by the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, you’ll know how to get around a ship safely.

And you will also be able to spot the warning signs when it comes to welfare.

Throughout the year our volunteers raise money to make sure seafarers are well looked after.

You might be dishing out kit to make life at sea easier, items like mobile phone sim cards, or the hand knitted wooly hats generously donated by volunteers up and down the country.

Sometimes there are big issues to face. On other occasions it can be the small gestures like these which make a genuine difference to lives of the brave men and women of the sea.

Be warned, it’s not always plain sailing.

You’ll need to be resilient and be able to think on your feet to put your skills, training and aptitude to good use.

This is a semi-autonomous volunteer role but you won’t be alone.

Fellow volunteers, experienced chaplains and staff will always there to turn to for help and guidance.

Being a ship visitor with The Mission to Seafarers is an extremely satisfying role.

If you have ever wanted to make genuine difference to the lives of others, are a selfstarter able to take ownership of a project, please get in touch now - we need your help.

Chaplian Tim Tunley 01509 670473 / 07581625941 timothy.tunley@mtsmail.org

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Message from Tim “Ideally how I work with volunteers is to identify a project and put a key volunteer in place to help make it happen.

It means that while there will be a chaplain to refer to, volunteers will have the freedom to manage themselves and take on a semiautonomous role.

Volunteers will benefit from the Merchant Navy Welfare Board Ship Visitor Welfare training course, which will help become familiar with how the maritime industry works, and make sure volunteers know how to carry out their work safely.

The qualities I am really looking for is for a warm and caring outlook, and a willingness to go the extra mile to help someone in need.

Training

But I also want someone who can think for themselves and take on the challenges of the important work we do at The Mission to Seafarers Scotland.

Our volunteers don’t take their duties lightly, and neither do we.

The SWVC objectives

On joining the ranks of our amazing volunteer network you will receive the best training available. The Ship Welfare Visitor Course (SWVC) is only available to members of recognised ship visiting charities, so you’ll be joining an elite band.

• Introduce Marine Industry custom and practice

The two day residential course aims to equip ship visitors with a full appreciation of protocol, personal safety and security issues relating to port facilities and ships.

• Provide an overview of shipping organisations • Describe ship types, shipboard organisation, trades and specific hazards • Highlight current security issues • Facilitate personal safety of people visiting port facilities and ships • Demonstrate delegate’s suitability to operate in port facilities and on-board ships

And as a Mission to Seafarers Scotland volunteer, you will also learn basic health and safety, understanding shipboard / port management and organisation, ship routines and protocol, potential seafarers’ issues and seafarers’ backgrounds and The Maritime Labour Convention (2006).

An industry recognised ID card is issued on completion of the course.

There are no requirements on age, other than being over 18, or particular backgrounds or qualifications.

Logistics

Ideally volunteers will live within travelling distance of the Forth Ports area.

Course Dates

As a volunteer you will meet people from all over the world, and make a significant difference to somebody’s life by helping them with something that matters to them.

• 10th and 11th June • Southampton Seafarers’ Centre • 30th September and 1st October • Venue tbc Funding • The Merchant Navy Welfare Board will cover all course fees • The MtSS will reimburse accommodation and reasonable travel expenses (Constituent Member delegates only)

If someone you loved was a long way from home, what is the one thing you would wish for them?

I would suggest the answer is a friend.

And that is really what it all boils down to can you be a friend for someone in need?”

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Thank you Forth Ports

Act now to change lives If you would like to get involved and volunteer for the Mission to Seafarers Scotland, please contact: Chaplian Tim Tunley 01509 670473 / 07581625941 timothy.tunley@mtsmail.org

Our vital Grangemouth Seafarers Centre has only been made possible thanks to a generous donation from Forth Ports.

The firm have allowed The Mission to Seafarers Scotland to use the centre for a peppercorn rent of £1 per year and the staff are helping to fundraise.

The firm owns and operates eight commercial ports on the Firth of Forth, the Firth of Tay and the Thames: Tilbury (London), Grangemouth, Dundee, Leith (Edinburgh), Rosyth, Methil, Burntisland, Kirkcaldy.

handling, pilotage, navigation, conservancy and towage.

Stuart Wallace, Divisional Director of Forth Ports said: “The work of the Mission to Seafarers is invaluable for the seafaring community and we were delighted to take part in national Woolly Hat day to raise funds for the organisation. We have seven ports across Scotland with hundreds of seafarers visiting our ports on board commercial vessels and the Mission provides the welfare and spiritual support that they need when they are far away from home.”

Each is strategically positioned to serve as logistical gateways across the UK.

Mission to Seafarers Scotland

And Forth Ports offer a wide range of diverse, port-related services, and help connect the UK with Europe and the rest of the world.

Within and around the Firths of Forth and Tay, Forth Ports manages and operates an area of 280 square miles of navigable waters, including two specialised marine terminals for oil and gas export. They deliver high levels of professionalism in ship

Mission to Seafarers Scotland 9 Avalon Gardens Linlithgow Bridge Linlithgow West Lothian EH49 7PL

@MtSScotland

Stuart Wallace, Divisional Director, Forth Ports

In the UK, The Mission to Seafarers is a charitable Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in England and Wales, Number: 6220240, Registered charity no: 1123613. Registered Office: St Michael Paternoster Royal, College Hill, London EC4R 2RL. The Mission to Seafarers Scotland Limited is a Company Limited by Guarantee, Registered in Scotland, Number: 389483, Registered charity in Scotland: SCO41938. Registered Office: 109 Avalon Gardens, Linlithgow Bridge, Linlithgow, West Lothian, EH49 7PL.