Francisco ”Pancho” Chamorro Ayala welcomes all seafarers to the Anchor Lounge.
Service Point for Cruise Ship personnel calling Helsinki Cruise Crew Lounge Anchor reopened after a pandemic break.
T
he Finnish Seamen’s Service and the Finnish Seamen’s Mission opened a drop-in centre for the crew members of visiting cruisers in Helsinki in 2014. The Anchor Lounge has received funding from the ITF Seafarers’ Trust. This year, the Lounge opened again and is now centrally located on the LHC quay in Hernesaari. The Anchor Lounge started operations in June and will be open until the beginning of September every time there is a cruise ship at Hernesaari quay. Like be-
2022 ¦ 2
fore, data cards, noodles, snacks, local candies & chocolate and small souvenirs are available at the canteen. The staff will help organize guided tours, transports, basketball and football. Transport services and exercise facilities are also provided to crew members whose vessels are moored at other quays. The club is open from 10 in the morning until 4 pm. On special occasions, the opening hours can be extended until 9 pm. Netta Varga and Francisco Chamorro Ayala of the Finnish Seamen’s Service and Mona
Valtonen, Yonatan Gurmu and Moatasem Aidaros of the Finnish Seamen’s Mission are responsible for the operations of the Anchor Lounge. The club also employs volunteers coordinated by The Finnish Seamen´s Mission. The Finnish Seamen’s Service and the Finnish Seamen’s Mission also work together in Vuosaari Harbour, where the Helsinki Seafarers’ Centre serves seafarers and truck drivers year-round.
☸
49
