Ahead of International Day of the Seafarer on 25 June, the second round of Seafarer Welfare Fund recipients was announced at the annual Mission to Seafarers Parliamentary Lunch on Friday, continuing vital investment for frontline organisations that support visiting maritime workers in New South Wales.
This year’s recipients of the five-year, $2.5 million agreement between Port Authority of NSW, NSW Ports and Port of Newcastle were Mission to Seafarers Eden, Mission to Seafarers Port Kembla, Mission to Seafarers Sydney, Apostleship of the Sea Sydney / Stella Maris, Tas Bull Seafarers Foundation, Hunter Workers Rehabilitation and Counselling Service, and Mission to Seafarers Newcastle.
Port Authority of NSW CEO John McKenna announced the recipients on behalf of the fund at the lunch and said he was proud of the impact the fund had already made.
“Our first year has demonstrated the enormous difference this fund makes to seafarers, who face some of the toughest working conditions in the world,” he said.
“Last year’s funding helped recipients hire additional staff and support significantly more seafarers with emergency care, mental health support, transport assistance, and communication access.
“Seafarers are the backbone of our global supply chain, and this fund shows our state’s leadership in maritime welfare, making sure they get the support they need and aren’t forgotten."
Building on the success of the inaugural funding round, the Seafarer Welfare Fund will continue to strengthen frontline services. Last year, Mission to Seafarers Sydney more than doubled its ship visits providing compassionate chaplaincy services, while the Newcastle branch restored seven-day operations with increased staff.
In Port Kembla, Mission to Seafarers boosted transport services and partnered with the Lake Illawarra Cricket Club, providing transport services to watch matches and play at the ground, supporting seafarers' mental health. Stella Maris Sydney has continued its vital outreach, ensuring access to hospitality, transport, and essential care items.
CEO of NSW Ports Marika Calfas said she looked forward to seeing the continued success of the program.
"We are proud to once again support initiatives and projects which enable these organisations to continue the wonderful work they do for seafarers visiting our ports,” Ms Calfas said.
“The Seafarer Welfare Fund provides us all with an opportunity to come together as a port community and ensure visiting seafarers have access to the support and resources they need to make their stay a welcoming and positive one.”
Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody echoed the sentiment, highlighting the vital role the fund plays in safeguarding the wellbeing of visiting seafarers in NSW.
“Our economy relies on the hard work of visiting seafarers, and the Seafarer Welfare Fund continues to provide the assistance and support they need when they dock in NSW,” he said.
“By joining forces as an industry, we’ve built a sustainable model that sets a suitable standard of how these maritime workers are cared for.”
