mission to seafarers –halifax lying...

MISSION TO SEAFARERS – HAL IFAX

February 2015

Flying AngelCaring for seafarers around the world

w w w . m i s s i o n t o s e a f a r e r s h a l i f a x . c a

PLEASE SUPPORT OUR ANNUAL APPEAL!

Dear Friends,

Earlier this year, during a routine visit to the ship “Asian Emperor”, the Mission’s Seafarer Coordinator spotted a seafarer who seemed to be in considerable pain. Maggie approached the young Filipino officer and discovered that he had slipped on the deck during mooring and fell hard onto his right shoulder. Other than basic first aid, his ship-mates were unsure what to do. Maggie, along with Alex, one of the Mission’s dedicated volunteers, took the injured seafarer to Dartmouth General Hospital and stayed with him in Emergency while he was treated. He was very appre-ciative of Maggie and Alex’s help in navigating the hospital procedures and comforted by their attendance while his dislocated shoulder was manipulated back into place. He was able to return to his ship and remain on limited duty so that the support he provides his loved ones at home could continue.

This is just one example of the how the Mission to Seafarers makes a real difference in the lives of seafar-ers passing through the Port of Halifax. Year after year, the Mission provides them a special place of respite from

Proclaimed 2015 Port of the Year by the International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN)! Halifax Port Authority, President and CEO, Karen Oldfield, accepted this prestigious award, “The Port of Halifax is a very tightknit community and it is humbling to accept this award on behalf of our stakeholders and partner organizations

their ships. These men and women leave their families and friends for months at a time on the ships that bring us the goods we use every day. Their days at sea are long and demanding and loneliness is common. So, when they call at our Mission to access telephones and the internet to recon-nect with loved ones, as well as taking in the warm hospi-tality of our staff and volunteers, or accessing our clothing and book room, their spirits are lifted. For those seafarers unable to leave their ships due to shortened port visits, the Mission takes mobile phones to them so they are able to telephone their families.

This work would not be possible without the generosity of you, our loyal and enduring donors. Your financial sup-port enables the Mission to continue its valuable ministry of practical, emotional and spiritual support to all seafarers, passing through our port, regardless of faith or background. Please consider making a tax-deductible donation to the Halifax

Mission to Seafarers again this year, either by mail or through our website at www.missiontoseafarershalifax.ca.

Kind regards, Sandra Attersley Chair, Board of Directors

Fall 2016

20th Annual Mission to Seafarers Golf Tournament at Avon Valley Golf Club


Jonathan Bouquet, Rick Edwards, Craig Lloyd, Dave Allen Darryl Emberley, Joan McLeod, Ruth Harding, Patrick Bohan

Jennifer Holland, Captain Sean Griffith, Julie Harvey, Ches Carter

Organized by extraordinary volunteers Jonathan Bourque, Jim Stoneman, Wayne Morrison, Alastair Gray, Rick Edwards, and Pat Wilson, the Mission’s 20th Annual Golf Tournament raised over $26,000. This signature event brings together community partners for a day of golf, food and fun, with everyone walking away a winner. We thank our sponsors, participants, and the staff of the Avon Valley Golf & Country Club for an impressive event!


• B U L L E T I N •

3rd Annual Wine Fest at Halifax Seaport Market

Nicole & John McCann, Board Member Marquerite & Jamie Horton, Volunteer

A big thank you to Wine Fest committee members Cathy McGrail, Joan McLeod, Eric Machum, and volunteers Christine Booth, Patricia Thompson, Aurora Ulloa-Parsons for a successful event. We look forward to seeing everyone next April. Our third annual Winefest netted $5,800 for the Mission to Seafarers Halifax.

Rick Edwards, Board Member & Kenzie MacKinnon

Halifax Port Days 2016

Carolyn Graham, Elaine Selig (Winner), McKayla Peddle

We are grateful for the significant support we receive from the Halifax Port Authority, as well as the opportunity to attend all Port Day events. We appreciate the generous donation in lieu of gifts to keynote speakers. Frames Plus Art donated a lovely Peggy’s Cove print on canvas by David Howells (Windsor, NS) for our Port Day raffle, which netted $510 which goes directly to operations. Congratulations to Elaine Selig of the Atlantic Pilotage Authority who purchased the winning ticket. We thank volunteers Joseph Loot, Carolyn Graham, and McKayla Peddle selling tickets and manning the booth.


• B U L L E T I N •Old Shed finally demolished and

new shed erected by volunteers

—FREE LABOUR!

Greg Naugle, Wally Thorne, and Alex Vyblov

Wally & Carole Thorne

Wally, Esau Cassell and Richard Pastorius — THANK YOU!

When we reflect upon facilities management at the Mission the one name that comes to mind first is Wally Thorne. Wally has been instrumental in leading property management projects at the Mission for three years. Whether reinforcing a sinking lounge ceiling, restructuring front ramp/stairs, or laying a new Mission floor, Wally has resourced and led volunteers, saving thousands of dollars for our Mission. His lovely wife, Carole has been an active Friday afternoon volunteer who tackles our monthly luncheons with enthusiasm. No project is too large or tough and every project is completed with a smile. It is with great sadness that we say farewell as they move back out West to be near their families. You will be surely missed.

Farewell to summer student, McKayla Peddle who will continue with us in a volunteer capacity, while she continues studies at St. Mary’s University for her Bachelor of Arts.

We wish Palma Heming all the best as she starts a new life in Mississauga. We will miss your vivacious personality Palma—stay in touch!

Further farewells

McKayla Peddle Palma and Doug



Glenn Taylor and Bernie Leonard – the best team since Dean and Gerry!

Bernie Leonard, born and educated in St. John’s, NF, was ordained a priest in 1966, and resigned in 1972. He then attended the Marine Institute and graduated with a Nautical Science Degree. He sailed as Navigation Officer with Texaco, National Sea and Fishery Products, Bedford Institute, and Fisheries and Oceans (Coast Guard). After over 30 years with the Federal Government, Bernie retired in 2006 from the Executive Group of the Public Service. He worked in Central and Arctic Region, Maritimes Region, Newfoundland and Labrador Regions, in operational and program management positions. Bernie was Director of the Canadian Coast Guard College from 1998-2004.

“Because of my background in the maritime sector I felt it was appropriate that I do volunteer work with the Missions to Seafarers and am very happy to be able to assist as necessary in this great service. I enjoy my time with my co-colleague Glenn Taylor at Halifax’s Mission to Seafarer.” Bernie has been on call for emergency shifts as well as his usual shift for the past three years now. In addition, Bernie also volunteers as an English Language Instructor at Halifax Public Libraries helping new immigrants in becoming proficient in the English Language.

Glenn Taylor has been volunteering at the Mission for close on ten years, and has played numerous roles during his tenure, including Santa! He doesn’t remember exactly when he walked through the doors of the Mission for the first time but he does remember Maggie asking what she could do to help him when he did. His response was: what could he do to help out at the Mission. “There was a need for someone to work the Wednesday evening shift and that has become my regular assignment ever since.”

Glenn is a retired school principal, having spent thirty-four years with the Halifax School Board. “I retired in 2006 and started volunteering sometime after that. At the same time I became a tour guide for Ambassatours and have spent the past ten summers and falls giving tours to cruise ship passengers arriving in the port. It was while driving along Marginal Road on motor coaches and double decker buses that I first noticed the Mission. While I have observed changes to what the Mission offers through its staff and volunteers, some aspects of what is done have remained constant. There is less use made of our land lines now and more skyping through personal computers and cell phones. The first year saw trips made to Sheet Harbour to assist seafarers. Now the Autoport is a long trip in the Mission van especially on a cold stormy February night. Pier 9 is now a more common destination than it was when I first started working at the Mission. What has remained constant however is, in my opinion, how important the Mission is to visiting seafarers and the genuine willingness of Nova Scotians to donate such gifts as time, clothing, and Christmas shoe boxes to the Mission.”

Glenn enjoys volunteering but he has been rewarded with many adventures during his time at the Mission, such as visiting ships, learning about life at sea and the countries from which seafarers come. “My current Wednesday night co-workers, Bernie Leonard and John Attersley, have taught me much about the world of international shipping and help with the crossword puzzles I bring to the Mission every Wednesday night. Speaking of which, what is an eleven letter word (actually it’s two words ) for an airborne messenger?”



A Brief Reflection on my 2016 Internship – Joseph Anthony Loot Intern, Mission to Seafarers Halifax – Candidate, Interdisciplinary Studies PhD, Dalhousie

After receiving my admission in December 2013 into the doctoral program at Dalhousie University to pursue my research on tripartism as mechanism to implement the Maritime Labour Convention 2006

(MLC, 2006), I thought about getting the practical understanding of seafaring and the shipping industry. No organization in Halifax, a major port city, caters full time to seafarer’s welfare and accept volunteer work except the Mission to Seafarers (MTS). I started in March 2014 (before my studies began in the Fall) as volunteer with an academic purpose. In two years I extended my commitment to the Mission with a broader moral and social purpose. The passionate and indefatigable ministry work of Chaplain Maggie and management of Helen, the selfless service of volunteers, and the internship experience contributed to this decision.

The internship opportunity at MTS is valuable for my present academic endeavour and future professional development. It brought me closer to the seafarers, made me see those invisible workers who sail the perilous seas in a secretive globalized industry, provided the justification for an enforceable maritime labour standard, and gave insights on the functions of various seafarer’s welfare Christian organizations and the services of the ITF and ITF Trust. Varied internship activities made these possible: the ship visits and observation on ship inspection, conversation with seafarers, the webinars and NAMMA conference, the daily service at the centre, and discussions with MTS volunteers who have decades of seafaring experience.

I had opportunities to personally converse with seafarers more frequently whereby I acquired first hand accounts that put my theoretical knowledge about the global maritime and labor industries into perspective and practical application. Regardless of their similarities or differences (by nationality, position, gender, religion, or reason) every seafarer comprises one bunch of worker whose toil and

labor activate the global economy and society. Providing their economic and social rights with legal and political security is an immediate priority.

The NAMMA conference at Virginia, USA was a valuable source of experiential information, an avenue to widen networking with people with different perspectives, and a banquet to feed my soul. Although I was looking at more in-depth discussions on seafarer isolation at sea, the topics discussed revalidated many things I know. (Perhaps future NAMMA discussions, if not already discussed in previous conferences, may also look at seafaring on other ship sectors such as cruise shipping, and the prevalent legal and political issues such as those on the regulation of FOCs and the impact of neoliberal globalization on seafarer welfare) The discussants provided varied testimonies on issues both at the session hall and the dinner table. Networking with them is vital because they are key informants. The daily worships were soul searching, and answers to life’s purpose were given in the readings, homilies, and songs.

Finally, the internship deepened my understanding of the role of civil society organizations (CSOs) in promoting seafarer welfare. Although not a social partner in the tripartite system within the MLC, 2006, CSOs such as the MTS are crucial interest groups that contribute to the protection of seafarers’ economic and social rights. They provide the social and moral support not usually provided by governments, shipowners, and seafarer unions. In doing so, CSOs enhance seafarer confidence in addressing the four main occupational issues: safe and secure workplace, fair terms of employment, decent working conditions, and health protection.

When my internship ends in October, I have a cargo full of information and know-how that I can deliver for my academic and professional research. If I could choose, I would do the internship again a hundred fold—even pro bono, gratis et amore. My only causa: learning, service, and faith are constantly infinite.


• B U L L E T I N •Bringing Willy Home: An Exceptional “Presence”– Joseph Anthony Loot“Being Present” is a critical response to issues resulting from seafarers’ prolonged isolation at sea—a key theme of the 2016 NAMMA Conference. Social isolation, described in part at the discussions, is multidimensional separation from other people and spaces; depicted commonly by separation from family. Seafarer welfare organizations usually respond by being present during ship visits, transports, and accommodations at the centres. Yet an uncommon and touching presence is providing full assistance on untimely physiological disability while away from home.

Sometime in September, Wilfredo “Willy” Del Mundo, head baker on a cruise ship of a large shipping company, was brought to the QEII Infirmary. Diagnosed with high blood pressure and artery blockade, Willy decided (primarily for cultural reasons) to have his surgical procedure in the Philippines instead of in Halifax. During

his 12 days of hospital confinement, mostly spent waiting for medical updates and discharge date, I visited him at least four times (the first as part of the initiative of Chaplain Maggie), and at the day of his discharge assisted in his transfer to Atlantica Hotel before his flight back home. In those visits, I learned about his medical and employment concerns, which I discussed with Chaplain Maggie and Helen who then connected the Philippine Honorary Consul and ITF Inspector with Willy. Fifteen days after that fateful day, Chaplain Maggie and I saw Willy off at the airport for his long flight back home.

Various occupational hazards threaten seafarer’s health. Willy succumbed to this after 13 years at work. Notably, the Mission to Seafarers provided the company, services, and information he needed as he journeys back home and to good health.

Shoebox CampaignVolunteers and staff deliver Shoebox gifts to every seafarer who visits the Port of Halifax during the month of December. We thank all individuals, churches, and community partners for helping by providing shoeboxes and/or supplies. Last year we delivered 1600 gifts.

What is in a shoebox gift? Mittens or gloves, scarf, toque, socks,

toothpaste, toothbrush, hard candy (no chocolate or alcohol) soap, shampoo, shaving foam, razor, deodorant, Lypsyl, playing cards, a memento of NS or PE or Canada, a pen, notepad and envelope. No sharp objects or flammables. Contact the Mission for details: 902-422-7790. Shoeboxes begin arriving the first week of November.

Tower PowerUnder the supervision of Wayne Theriault, Nova Scotia Power, the Tower Power team of highly skilled professionals spent the day at the Mission. These brave men are committed to providing first class tower painting and corrosion protection services all over the world!

Wayne was an awesome public relations person and traffic director on behalf of Nova Scotia Power.



Chaplain’s Message – Rev. Maggie Whittingham-Lamont

There is a great deal written in the bible about isolation and I particularly relate to a verse in Ecclesiastes 4:9-10 where we read: Two people are better off than one, for they can help each other succeed. If one person falls, the other can reach out and help. But someone who falls alone is in real trouble.

On board ship, one day is much the same as the other and even at the Mission we sometimes make mistakes about what day of the week it is. Imagine each day being almost the same for nine or ten months of the year and maybe you will come to realize how monotonous life at sea can be. Many seafarers do not receive shore time when they are in port because their free time does not coincide with the ship’s time in port. This is an increasing problem as automation is improving constantly so that ships that used to be in port for a whole day are now in and out in as little as 5 hours. This has changed my job considerably and I now find my time onboard is often greater than my time in the Mission. Time spent talking one on one with a particular seafarer is of utmost importance. The visiting chaplain may be the only new face they see for long periods of time. I always try to learn the names of crewmembers and make them feel like someone cares.

I see many ships with multi-national crew so it is not unusual to find a person who is the only individual of a particular nationality onboard. For them it can be a long contract with no one to speak your own language with, and maybe no ethnic food for the duration of your contract. I will always try to ensure I speak to a seafarer who is the only crewmember of a particular nationality and they are not always foreign crew. My whole family befriended a young Canadian

apprentice once who found himself with a full French crew. The apprentice did not speak any French and the French crews’ English was limited so the apprentice was spending long periods of time without conversation. After a few weeks he was ready to quit but I knew that he was going to make a great seafarer one day so each time he came in I had an activity prepared for him and although he was still counting the days until he signed off it became tolerable and he now sails as a Captain.

Please give some thoughts and prayers for the lonely seafarers who labour to bring us the items we use each day.

It seems that only a short time has passed since I was writing about winter at the Mission. We will soon be entering that season again and seafarers are already starting to feel the Autumnal chill. Normally we would be able to alleviate their discomfort by supplying warm second-hand clothing but it seems that such a thing is currently in short supply; our clothes room at the Mission is the emptiest it has ever been. We are hoping that as people change over from their summer to winter wardrobe they will consider donating some of their good used clothing to the Mission.


Mission to Seafarers Halifax Chaplain: Rev. Maggie Whittingham-Lamont

Cell: 902-456-7029 email: [email protected]

Mission Manager: Helen Glenn Cell: 902-456-1658 email: [email protected]

P.O. Box 27114 Halifax, NS B3H 4M8 CanadaTel: 902-422-7790 Fax: 902-420-9786Website: www.missiontoseafarershalifax.caLocation: Opposite Pier 24, Ocean TerminalsOpen: 09:30 weekdays / 10:00 weekends

This newsletter is produced with the generous support of Metro Guide Publishing Ltd. and Advocate Printing and Publishing.

• MTS Christmas Luncheon, Cunard Centre December 14, 2016 – BOOK NOW!

• Monthly luncheons last Friday of every month except December

• October luncheon sponsored by Halifax Port Authority (Oct. 28)

• November luncheon sponsored P and H Milling Group (Nov. 25)

• Businesses may become corporate sponsors (STAR PROGRAM). Contact Helen for information.

• Individuals may donate in lieu

of birthdays, memorials or leave a gift in your will.

• Churches may create a “parish link” on their website to promote the Mission.

• Please donate warm clothing for our FREE room as provisions for winter are very low!

Announcements

The Mission is thankful to our major sponsors without whom we would not be able to offer our services.

Atlantic Towing Ltd.Atship Services Ltd.

Atlantic Container LineAtlantic Pilotage AuthorityBlue Water Agencies Ltd.

Cerescorp CompanyCanadian Institute of Marine Engineering

Canadian Steamship LinesColley Motorships Ltd.

D. R. Brenton Ltd.

F. K. Warren Ltd.Halifax Pilots

Halifax Port AuthorityHalifax Shipping AssociationHapag Lloyd (Canada) Ltd.

Holland America Line Logistec Stevedoring

Maritime World LogisticsMark & Dr. Joanne MacDonald

Metcalf & Company

International Sailors’ Society CanadaNorthrop Grumman

Partner International Inc.P & H Milling GroupProtos Shipping Ltd

Spectacle GroupSvitzer Canada Ltd.

Total Home ProtectionWallenius Willhelmsen Logistics

Chair’s Message – Sandra Attersley

We are open 9:30am daily, and 10am Saturdays.

As I write this, there is a definite change in the season as the wind shifts to the north, the leaves begin to change colour and the geese head south. October is still a busy month at the Mission with cruise ship season in high gear—sometimes five ships in at the same time taking advantage of our region’s fall colours. Many of the crew visit the Mission for a change in atmosphere, to use the internet, or just to relax in their “home away from home” or take advantage of the Mission’s van for transport around the city. Even after the cruise season ends, there is no rest for Mission staff and volunteers. Next up will be getting over 1,500 shoebox gifts ready to distribute to crews visiting the Port of Halifax in December and January. All the work that goes into welcoming seafarers in Halifax would not be possible

without the support of our donors. Thanks to all who give, and we look forward to your ongoing support this year and next. The seafarers depend on it. Donations can be made by mail, in person, or through the Donate button on the Mission’s website.

As noted elsewhere in this edition, we say goodbye to Carole and Wally Thorne as they relocate to Winnipeg to be closer to family. Their work at the Mission as regular Friday volunteers, and often leading building maintenance projects has been a wonderful gift of time and talent! Thank you on behalf of the Board of Directors!

A special SALUTE to Atship Shipping Services and the Halifax Pilots for their generous donations to help with repairs to the Mission van. We are thankful for your support.

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