1. THE
‘MALTESE
TITANIC’
CHART COMPASS
AND
SAILORS’ SOCIETY’S FREE MAGAZINEwww.sailors-society.org
SPRING 2016
Human Performance
and Limitation
for Mariners
Fire safety at sea
Read by seafarers and industry
professionals around the world
C&CSpring16_pp01 front covers.indd 1 03/02/2016 13:20

2. 2 WELCOME
INDUSTRY NEWS
3 ICMA licenses
Chapplaincy
FIRE SAFETY AT SEA
4 Training to survive
CREW SERVICES
6 ‘Manny’s’ typical
working trip
HUMAN
PERFORMANCE
AND LIMITATION
FOR MARINERS
8 Physical and
psychological difficulties
seafarers may face
CHAT WITH A
CHAPLAIN
10 Ailton Ferreira de
Souza talks about life
as a port chaplain
PORT PROFILE
11 Vitória, the Sun City
FROM THE
ARCHIVES
12 The tragic story of
SS Sardinia, the
‘Maltese Titanic’
LIFE ON THE
QUAYSIDE
13 News from our port
chaplains around
the world
TRANSFORMING
LIVES
14 2015 in review
SPIRITUAL SUPPORT
15 Wise words from
Mark Warner
WELCOMEFROM THE EDITOR, STUART RIVERS
Seafaring is a challenging existence and this edition of Chart and
Compass looks at aspects of safety affecting its dedicated workforce
T
he world’s seafarers are an invisible workforce on
which we all rely, on a daily basis.
Invisible because few people think about
the job they are doing, away from home and loved
ones for up to a year at a time. But look around –
almost everything we see has been transported by sea,
including clothes, cars, computers and fuel.
We live in a world of immediacy, where next-day
delivery is the norm, but our purchases have been on
a much longer journey that is invisible to most of us.
Transporting 90 per cent of the world’s goods can
be dangerous, as well as lonely, and seafarers face
physical and mental challenges daily.
With a vast number of incidents at sea attributed
to ‘human error’, our innovative
Wellness at Sea coaching
programme aims to improve
seafarers’ onboard wellbeing.
Fatigue, poor mental health,
stress and many other issues all
affect seafarers going about
their daily work, and can be the
difference between safe transit
and a major incident.
Wellness at Sea seeks
to combat these issues by
addressing ‘wellness’ as a holistic
concept made up of five areas
of wellbeing: social, emotional,
physical, intellectual and spiritual.
It is a crucial tool in helping to
improve seafarer safety and deliver
real business benefits.
Sailors’ Society works around the
world helping seafarers and their
families in need. Our dedicated
team of port chaplains extend the hand of friendship
to everyone they meet in ports across the globe,
sharing faith and helping seafarers with practical
matters such as contacting family, shopping and
accessing local services.
They are only able to undertake this valued work
because of the enormous generosity of our supporters.
Improving wellness at sea for all seafarers will
not happen overnight. However, Sailors’ Society
is committed to making a long-term difference;
transforming lives at home, in port and at sea, and
ensuring that – while seafarers are, for most of us, out
of sight – they are not out of mind.
Registered Charity No. 237778
A company limited by guarantee
Registered in England No. 86942
Patron: Her Majesty the Queen
Editor: Stuart Rivers
Assistant editor: James Leslie
Published by Sailors’ Society,
Seafarer House, 74 St Annes Road,
Woolston, Southampton, SO19 9FF
Tel: +44 (0)23 8051 5950
Email: press@sailors-society.org
INTERNATIONAL SAILORS’ SOCIETIES
Canada
Secretariat: Chamber of Shipping,
Suite100, 1111 West Hastings Street,
Vancouver BC, V6E 2J3, Canada
New Zealand
National Secretary:
Larry Robbins OBE RNZN (RTD)
42 Knights Road, Rothesay Bay,
Auckland 1311, New Zealand
Southern Africa
CEO: Revd J D (Boet) Van Schalkwyk
Suite No. 6, Second Floor, Westville
Centre, 52 Norfolk Terrace
Designed and produced by
CPL (Cambridge Publishers)
www.cpl.co.uk
ISSN: 1759-1317
CONTENTS
Filipino seafarers, Jess and Luis, in Scotland after three months at
sea. Luis has three children and is paying for two daughters to go
through medical college, while his son is in the first year of high
school. Our chaplain asked him when he last saw his children,
to which he replied: ‘Just now, thanks to the Wi-Fi!’ This is just
one of the many examples of how Sailors’ Society is able to help
seafarers and their families
C&CSpring16_pp02-03 welcome.indd 2 03/02/2016 13:25

3. INDUSTRY NEWSSPONSORED BY DREW MARINE SIGNAL AND SAFETY UK LTD WWW.COMET-MARINE.COM
S
ailors’ Society has licensed a
version of its Chapplaincy app to
the International Christian Maritime
Association (ICMA), enabling all 28
members to share the digital platform
transforming port-to-port welfare.
The Ship Visitor app will enable maritime
chaplaincy organisations across the world to
deliver improved services to seafarers and better
measure their work’s impact.
The Very Revd Richard Kilgour, general
secretary of ICMA, said: ‘ICMA is mindful of
the immense importance of this development,
which strengthens our international collaborative
relationships as seafarer societies. Brought
about by Sailors’ Society, this initiative will
empower those in front-line ministry to bring
immense benefit for the wellbeing of seafarers
and is warmly welcomed by our 28 member
organisations operating seafarer ministry in
ports worldwide.’
Sandra Welch, Sailors’ Society director
of programme, said: ‘We’re really pleased
to share this unique platform with our fellow
welfare organisations and look forward to
seeing the positive impact this collaboration will
have on the seafarers we all care for.’
The app is enabled by access to global ship-
tracking data from MarineTraffic, which helps
chaplains see which vessels are in port and
those set to arrive. The result is a more effective
use of time and improved coordination with
other welfare organisations.
Demitris Memos, managing director of
MarineTraffic, said: ‘We are very happy that
the app has proved its usefulness in such a short
space of time and that the technology is being
licensed to ICMA.
‘We will continue to develop our systems
and expand our global Automatic Identification
System (AIS) network to provide top quality data
to the app and look forward to hearing more
about the benefits it brings to seafarers.’
ICMA LICENSES CHAPPLAINCY
S
ailors’ Society has
granted SeaWives.com
£15,500 to develop an
app of its popular forum. The
website offers members, whose
husbands or partners work at
sea, a place to discuss issues
and form friendships.
Founders Joanne and Louise
Hammond have identified
a real need for the website
and app through their own
experiences with husbands who
are seafarers. Said Joanne: ‘It
is essential for people to feel
they have somebody to talk
to, somebody that understands
the highs and lows of this
lifestyle. We are really lucky
to have people close to us that
understand. Unfortunately, there
are many who do not, and it
was for this reason SeaWives.
com was developed.’
Since its launch in March
2015, the site has received
more than 25,000 hits and has
nearly 200 forum members.
Members feel that it is
important to be able to access
the forum quickly and share
their feelings, particularly during
difficult times.
Louise said: ‘We want the
website to become the first
port of call for the partners
and family of seafarers. It is
important to know that there
are people who understand this
lifestyle without judgement, pity,
or the routine comment of “don’t
worry they’ll be home soon”,
which every seafaring partner
hates to hear.’
SeaWives.com is free to join.
If you would like to contribute
or register, please contact
info@seawives.com
SAILORS’ SOCIETY TO
FUND APP AND CONNECT
SEAFARERS’ PARTNERS
www.sailors-society.org 3IN FOCUS
Revd Ken Peters, ICMA executive committee member and Mission to Seafarers’ director of justice and welfare; the Very Revd Richard
Kilgour, ICMA general secretary; and Sandra Welch, Sailors’ Society director of programme, sign the Ship Visitor app agreement
Sisters-in law Jo and Louise Hammond
with their husbands, WIlliam and Alex
C&CSpring16_pp02-03 welcome.indd 3 02/02/2016 13:15

4. 4 FIRE SAFETY AT SEA www.sailors-society.org
Marine
Firefighting:
Training
to Survive
F
ire on board a vessel is generally
considered the most dangerous
situation on water. While technological
advances have helped to mitigate risk,
consistently investing in firefighting
training, skills and equipment is the best
means to keep crew, ship and cargo safe, if
disaster strikes.
While innovative new fire-resistant materials
and advanced fire suppression equipment have
helped improve fire safety, technology alone is
not a one-stop security blanket.
‘Ship operators are again placing huge
importance on firefighting training. An over-
reliance on fixed suppression systems can be
dangerous and create a sense of false security,’
said Captain Ted Morley, chief operations
officer, Maritime Professional Training (MPT).
Firefighting training is a particular point of
emphasis at MPT and the school has invested
heavily to ensure it has the necessary tools and
techniques to keep modern vessels shipshape.
MPT established the Marine Tech Fire
Academy in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, USA, and
uses the facility to run more than 60 firefighting
classes annually.
Captain Morley said: ‘Having well trained
first responders is vital, as they can be proactive
and adaptable to each emergency. We spend
more than 30 weeks a year on board clients’
vessels, training while they are underway.’
Firefighting Technology
While technique and training is the foundation
for any solid onboard emergency response,
technology – both in fire-resistant materials
found on modern ships and the firefighting
A burning icebreaker ship
in the sea off Antarctica
Greg Trauthwein is
editor and associate
publisher of Maritime
Reporter and
Engineering News.
This feature is
edited from an
original article, first published in the
October 2015 edition of that magazine.
For more information please visit
www.marinelink.com
THE AUTHOR
SHUTTERSTOCK/BildagenturZoonarGmbH
C&CSpring16_pp04-05.indd 4 02/02/2016 13:16

5. 5FIRE SAFETY AT SEAwww.sailors-society.org
apparatus itself – continues to grow in
sophistication and performance.
Jim Elliott, vice-president of T&T Marine
Salvage, said: ‘Training has evolved based
on lessons learned from actual fighting of
shipboard fires.
‘Technology – such as infrared, advances in
firefighting systems, and improved firefighting
extinguishing agents – has enhanced shipboard
firefighting operations. Advances in protective
equipment and breathing apparatus/cylinder
capacity have also gone a long way towards
improving safety.’
T&T Marine Salvage’s investment in
technology includes the latest in infrared
technology: ‘We even have an infrared system
on our Unmanned Aerial System (UAS) to
respond to vessel fires,’ said Elliott.
Morely said that technology has increased
in importance, particularly in light of the
move toward larger ships and smaller crews:
‘Technology – such as thermal-imaging units
and advances in suppression equipment – has
become a vital component of firefighting.
Incorporating that technology, and topics
such as advanced methods of ventilation, into
fire training classes is vital. The methods and
techniques that were taught when I entered the
industry seem almost prehistoric when compared
to what is available today. That is the primary
reason refresher training is so important.’
A Growing Emphasis
Mitigating risk in the maritime sector is a
necessity. The increasingly litigious nature of the
world at large levies stiff penalties on anyone
who puts hazardous materials into the sea, and
increasingly strict regulations from authorities
mean that, to ensure compliance, vessel owners
and operators must invest in marine firefighting
training and technology.
Captain Morley said: ‘Ship operators are
seeing the importance of having well trained
firefighters available on board to respond.
‘While regulations have improved their safety,
fire is still the number one threat these vessels
face. The International Maritime Organization
(IMO) recognises that and has worked with
member nations to improve training. At the same
time industry is working to improve policies and
procedures. Many companies go well beyond
the regulatory requirements for fire training.’
Kirk Richardson, of Texas A&M Engineering
Extension Service (TEEX), Emergency Services
Training Institute, said: ‘Live fire and emergency
response training for the maritime industry
continues to evolve. As vessels, terminals,
and offshore facilities become more complex,
personnel must be prepared to deal adequately
with any type of emergency.
‘Incidents include: firefighting; confined space
rescue; water rescue; hazardous materials; and
others. In addition, personnel must be adept at
managing the incident by using the appropriate
incident command structure.’
Technological
advances in fire
safety at sea
Shipboard
Autonomous
Firefighting
Robot (SAFFiR)
SAFFiR is a human-
sized autonomous
robot capable
of finding and
suppressing
shipboard fires
and is designed to
work seamlessly
with human
firefighters.
White Glacier
Immersion Suit
White Glacier’s Arctic 25 immersion
suit has three non-neoprene layers,
the third layer of which is abrasion
resistant and fire retardant for
four seconds.
The suit can be fully donned
in under one minute or partially
donned in 15 seconds. Donning
can then be completed once in the
water. All suits will withstand 10m
jump impacts, more than twice the
industry standard.
Firefighting Simulator
VSTEP’s firefighting simulator RescueSim enables users to experience and train for a variety
of incidents on board a ship in a safe environment.
The simulator includes functionality, environments, equipment and objects common to
specific types of shipboard incidents.
An instructor is in full control during training and can influence the scenario for the
participants in the simulator during the exercise.
U.SNavyphotobyJohnF.Williams/Released
C&CSpring16_pp04-05.indd 5 02/02/2016 13:16

6. 6 www.sailors-society.orgCREW SERVICES
Taking care
of the crew
Randi Blidensol outlines a working trip for ‘Manny’ – a
typical Filipino seafarer – the problems he encounters, and
what can be done to improve life for others like him
S
eafaring is a dangerous enough
profession without factoring in the
perils of travelling to a new contract.
In today’s challenging market we
frequently forget about what keeps
our industry afloat, its people. Crews face a
number of logistical difficulties when joining
a ship, signing off and working on board;
supporting them will assist our industry to bring
about overall improvements.
‘Manny’ – our fictitious Filipino seafarer – is
about to finish his annual leave before heading
for Pointe-Noire in Congo to join a container
ship sailing on a regular service between Europe
and West Africa.
In the traditional fragmented crew supply
chain, Manny’s ship owner will make
arrangements with crewing and travel agents,
coordinate the last mile of the seafarer’s journey
with the local ship’s agent and, often, the
charterer’s agent. Each of these parties has
overlapping responsibilities, critical to managing
the overall journey.
Manny arrives in Riyadh late on a Thursday
evening and has a 15-hour wait until his
connecting flight; without any accommodation
organised for him, he finds a quiet corner of the
airport and tries to get some rest.
The next leg of his journey includes a stopover
in Lagos; the regional airline has a poor safety
record but offers a relatively cheap and direct
connection. Manny’s flight touches down nine
hours late in Pointe-Noire. His luck is in; his
vessel’s expected time of arrival has been put
back because of poor weather.
Weary but relieved finally to arrive, Manny
hits a problem at immigration – he doesn’t speak
the language and thinks it has something to do
with his visa. He doesn’t know what to do; it
would be good if there had been somebody
locally to help him out.
The issue is finally resolved and he is allowed
through to pick up his luggage which, after an
anxious wait, eventually appears.
Outside he hails a taxi. The driver is a friendly
fellow and they enjoy a cigarette together
before starting the journey to the hotel. The traffic
is bad – worse than in the Philippines, thinks
Manny – there are no seatbelts and the driver
talks continuously on his mobile phone. The
journey has its challenging moments and Manny
is glad when it’s over.
The hotel is down by the port and by any
standard is poor, but Manny’s not complaining –
it’s a bed for the night.
The following morning he is delayed at
the port gate for more than two hours. No
notification has been supplied to port security by
the agent about his arrival. Manny finally signs
on after nearly two days’ travel.
Once on board, Manny will spend most of his
time at sea. When calling at port, it is rare that
he is allowed any shore-time.
He will often send cash home to his family
using money transfer services in the first
available port. Halfway through the month he
needs to make sure his wife has enough funds to
cover the family’s outgoings.
Cash is supplied by the owner through the
agent and distributed on board by the Master.
This is a costly and risky affair for all parties
involved, not least for Manny who has to carry
the cash, often through unfamiliar dockland
streets, to get to a money transfer facility.
He is also subject to poor foreign exchange
C&CSpring16_pp06-07.indd 6 02/02/2016 13:16

7. www.sailors-society.org 7CREW SERVICES
rates and high transfer fees. Although Manny
will always check for the best rates before
committing, this search in itself adds to the
potential danger he is exposed to.
Manny misses his family, he has a mobile
phone but calling home is expensive. Some of
his colleagues have laptops that they can use
to chat with their families when free Wi-Fi is
available in some ports. But once back at sea
all links are severed; the owner says it’s too
costly to allow the crew any time on the ship’s
satellite link.
Months on and it’s coming up to his son’s
birthday. Manny has spotted the ideal gift while
browsing on a friend’s laptop. He would like to
buy it online but has no international card facility
and so gives cash to his friend who will buy it
for him. Manny just hopes he will get it before
he signs off as he is not sure when he will see
his shipmate again.
The parcel arrives as Manny is about to sign
off. He has a long journey ahead and hopes
there will not be delays so he can make it back
in time for his son’s birthday.
Identifying and rectifying the difficulties Manny
faces in the course of his work is possible by
applying a range of crew-centric solutions.
By working closely with qualified, carefully
vetted and audited partners to provide welfare
assistance for crew members, life can be made
much easier and risk free for Manny, and more
cost-efficient for the shipowner.
Accomplishing this requires a robust, centrally
controlled logistical system, strong ethics and
compliance, and strict quality, health, safety,
security and environment (QHSSE) policies along
the supply chain, both during transit and once
on board.
Shipowners don’t need to go to the trouble
and expense of setting up such systems
themselves when outsourced solutions are
available. For example: a single point of contact
into a global agency network; an in-house travel
agency with proprietary marine and offshore
airfares; and alternatives to the traditional
methods of distributing funds to crew members
will provide seafarers with better control of their
transactions, and an overall reduction in costs.
For more ideas, visit Inchcape’s website
www.iss-shippping.com
Supporting crew will
assist the industry to
bring about overall
improvements
Randi Blidensol is
Inchcape Shipping
Services’ product
manager
THE AUTHOR
SHUTTERSTOCK/OleksandrKalinichenko
C&CSpring16_pp06-07.indd 7 02/02/2016 13:17

8. 8 HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND LIMITATION www.sailors-society.org
Human
Performance
and Limitation
for MarinersThe Nautical Institute’s latest book offers insights
into the physical and psychological difficulties that
seafarers may face, in order to help protect them
A
ll crew members have a crucial
part to play in the safety and
commercial success of their
vessels. Crew members are
responsible for the lives of
others on board, for millions of dollars of
company assets in the form of the ship,
hundreds of millions of dollars in cargo
value, and billions of dollars in terms of
liabilities and environmental impact. In
addition, there is the matter of your reputation
and that of your company.
So it benefits everyone if their unique
human qualities are protected and nurtured to
ensure the safety of ships, the protection of the
environment, and the sustainability of shipping
– and, possibly even more importantly, their
sense of personal achievement.
Most shipboard systems depend on some
level of human involvement, and this human
link is a potential frailty that needs to be
managed, monitored and nurtured.
It is important that you are fully aware of the
many and varied factors that can affect the
way you perform aboard ship – many of which
will not become apparent to you until you start
your seagoing career.
A system of examinations for aviation
pilots in human performance and limitation
has produced great advances in safety
for that sector. The latest book from The
Nautical Institute, Human Performance
and Limitation for Mariners, introduces the
concept to seafarers, so they can understand
their limitations and make best use of their
physical and mental abilities in the challenging
shipboard environment.
Those who are responsible for the design,
Bridget Hogan is
director of publishing
and marketing
at The Nautical
Institute, where she
is responsible for the
organisation’s 100-plus
book titles, its magazine production, and
its marketing and communications. She has
been involved with the publishing industry
for more than 40 years and has worked in
the maritime industry – in various roles – for
more than 35 years
THE AUTHOR management and operation of ships and their
systems must also take account of seafarers’
capabilities, skills, limitations and needs. The
book looks at the realities of living and working
on board, and explains how recognising
human limitations can improve performance,
safety and job satisfaction.
Practical guidance is given on: how the
mind works; fatigue, workload and stress;
building competency and confidence; and
cultural understanding. For those at sea – and
for owners and managers ashore – it makes
sense that seafarers are given the knowledge
to follow a healthy way of life, and are
educated to do so.
Portpictures.nl
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9. 9HUMAN PERFORMANCE AND LIMITATIONwww.sailors-society.org
Portpictures.nl
The shipping industry has relied on the
excellent abilities of seafarers since humans first
ventured onto the oceans. Life at sea can be
rewarding, but also challenging. All mariners
need to be aware of how to protect themselves,
physically and mentally, and to make best
use of their abilities to manage modern ships
in an exceedingly complex and dynamic
maritime environment.
In the early 1990s, the aviation industry
adopted a system of human performance and
limitation (HPL) examinations for all commercial
and leisure pilots. As a result, there have been
great advances in aviation safety, as pilots
have come to appreciate the realities of human
limitations and their implication for delivering
consistent overall performance.
Although we seek to learn and benefit from
such lessons outside the aviation industry, there
are two major differences to consider when it
comes to the maritime industry.
First, its environment is very different from
aviation; seafarers are subjected to different
motions and effects, such as noise, heat, and
vibration. Second, and more significantly,
however, ships also provide habitation, as The
Nautical Institute’s book describes.
A ship is home for our maritime professionals
for many months at a time, and the challenges
of life on board – living in a multicultural world
– must be managed effectively to achieve
the best results, and the safest living and
working environment.
The book has been written for individuals,
and takes a personal approach to help mariners
understand what the limitations of their bodies
Mariners are the shipping
industry’s greatest resource;
global maritime professionals
who are the true heart and
soul of a ship
Human Performance and
Limitation for Mariners is
available via
www.nautinst.org
and minds are in this special environment. It is
aimed at ensuring they are protected and safe,
and able to contribute effectively to the special
team that is the ship’s crew.
The Nautical Institute is already having some
success in getting the concept understood more
generally in the industry. Gerardo Borromeo,
vice-chairman and chief executive officer of
Philippine Transmarine Carriers, vice-chairman
of the International Chamber of Shipping,
and president of InterManager, has added his
support to the initiative.
‘I congratulate the Institute for initiating this
important approach, and hope that shipowners
and managers will support this initiative,’ he
said. ‘I also hope that our maritime professionals
all over the world will learn to understand and
accept their limitations, while nurturing and
further developing their special human traits.
‘In doing so, their reward will be a
satisfying career at sea and a unique
opportunity to make a difference in the world,
experienced by so many maritime professionals
over the centuries.’
There are many challenges facing those
who choose a career at sea, but there are
also opportunities for great fulfilment. In
personal terms, long-lasting friendships can
be established and maintained over lifetimes.
Then there is professional pride – commercial
shipping transports more than 90 per cent of
the world’s trade. Seafarers from many countries
and many cultures fulfil a vital role, without
which our planet could not function. You should
be justifiably proud of what you do.
Hopefully, Human Performance and Limitation
for Mariners will point you in the right direction,
not least because happy, healthy, well-trained
and motivated seafarers will ensure the safe
conduct of ships, and the safe and timely arrival
of the world’s cargoes.
The professional seafarers who work on the
world’s ships must be recognised, valued and
supported in their crucial roles at sea. They
deserve a properly designed and maintained
vessel, investment, support, training and good
procedures – all of which can be achieved
through teamwork between the individual,
onboard crew and company managers.
In this way the motivation they require to
operate effectively – and to improve their
performance through study, training and
mentoring – can be achieved.
C&CSpring16_pp08-09.indd 9 02/02/2016 13:20

10. Q How did you come to be a port chaplain?
A I had put myself at the disposal of God
long before hearing missionaries testifying
about their work with seafarers. I visited
children in orphanages, asylums and poor
neighbourhoods, sharing God’s love and
serving their needs while I waited for his
direction. It made me feel good, but I felt he
wanted more from me.
Q What made you want to help seafarers?
A I first heard about merchant seafarers when
I was secretary of the First Baptist Church, in
Cobilândia, and received an email about
the Baptist Convention of Vitória’s missionary
work. I visited the mission, where port chaplain
Reverend Luis Claudio introduced me to working
with seafarers and told me he needed someone
to help. I was sure God wanted me there.
Q What is your favourite part of the job?
A While training, I was asked to help a
Filipino seaman who had suffered a stroke
and I learned a lot. God keeps giving
me opportunities to care for hospitalised
seafarers and I take care of them with the same
dedication I had when helping the first one.
Q What are the biggest challenges?
A Nowadays, the biggest challenge has been
to make some people understand that a seafarer
is also a human being, and he or she should be
treated with respect.
Q What are the most common seafarers’
needs that you encounter?
A A common need of a seafarer is to be
in touch with family. I have also heard from
many seafarers about how important a port
chaplain is to them. Seafarers feel safe with
port chaplains and they become friends
in a short space of time. I am proud to be
considered ‘a friendly face between the storms’
by seafarers, or an ‘angel’ sent by God to care
for them.
Q Is there a particular story about helping
seafarers or their families that you would
like to share?
A A Filipino seafarer was hospitalised because
of severe back pains and was diagnosed with
an aggressive form of cancer. During times of
prayer, he asked God for another opportunity
to see his wife and daughters, to tell them that
he loved them. He spoke to them daily on the
internet, but wanted to touch them, to hug and
kiss them. He believed God loved him so much
that he was certain he would see them again.
The doctors said it would be a miracle if he
arrived home alive. God gave the seafarer the
opportunity to be with his family for two weeks.
Despite the short time we were together, we
became good friends and truly brothers, and I
will never forget him.
Q What would you be doing if you weren’t a
Society chaplain?
A I have always liked humanitarian work and
I would certainly be doing something to help
people if I wasn’t a port chaplain.
Q What do you hope to bring the seafarers
that you help?
A We cannot come in and out of people’s
lives without making a difference. I am happy
when I hear from seafarers who miss me; it
means that I shared something good with them,
despite our short time together.
Q What advice would you give to seafarers
visiting your port?
A Vitória is a small city with friendly people and
beautiful places to visit. If you or a friend come
here, please contact me in advance and I will
try to help.
Q Do you have a special message for
seafarers?
A There are many people that love and respect
you, people who pray for you and are able to
do the best they can for you. I thank God for
your life, and ask him to bless you and keep
you safe.
Pastor Ailton Ferreira de Souza
+55 27 99721 9007
+55 27 99721 3296
afdesouza@sailor-society.org
contact
10 our mission www.sailors-society.org
CHAT WITH A CHAPLAIN
Pastor Ailton Ferreira de
Souza has been with Sailors’
Society for more than eight
years and discusses how
he helps seafarers in the
Brazilian port of Vitória
C&CSpring16_pp10-11 Port.indd 10 02/02/2016 13:20

11. SHUTTERSTOCK/IuliiaTimofeeva/FilipeFrazao/KjerstiJoergensen/kentoh/FilipeFrazao/IuliiaTimofeeva
1. Convento
da Penha
Considered to be
one of the main
tourist attractions in
Espírito Santo, the
Franciscan convent sits on top of a mountain
just across the Terceira Ponte (Third Bridge),
and overlooks the cities of Vila Velha and
Vitória. Founded by Pedro Palácios in 1558, it
is home to the state’s patron saint, Our Mother
of Penha, with many people making an annual
pilgrimage to the site.
2. Morro do
Moreno
At 274 metres
high, Morro do
Moreno offers
fantastic views of
the city below, and
– for those brave enough – is the perfect spot
for paragliding.
The summit of the hill can be accessed via
road or by a 40-minute walk, and a wide
array of wildlife – including marmosets,
lizards and tarantulas – can be seen in Morro
do Moreno’s forested areas.
3. Palácio
Anchieta
One of Brazil’s
oldest governmental
headquarters,
Palácio Anchieta,
was built by Jesuit
Twinned with a
number of cities, including
Beirut and Dunkirk, Vitória
has a population of nearly
350,000
V
itória was founded as Vila Nova
do Espírito Santo in 1551,
before being renamed as a tribute
to a famous battle victory by
Espírito Santo’s captain, Vasco
Fernandes Coutinho.
Twinned with a number of cities – including
Beirut, Lebanon, and Dunkirk, France – the city
has a population of nearly 350,000.
Vitória has many nicknames, including Ilha
do Mel (Honey Island) and Cidade Sol (Sun
City), but is often abbreviated to Vix by locals.
With plenty of sightseeing opportunities for
those short on time, make sure you contact
Sailors’ Society’s port chaplain, Ailton Ferreira
de Souza (see page 10), if you are in port
in Vitória.
Vitória, the Sun City
priests in the 16th century. Situated in the
heart of the city, the building’s incredible
architecture makes it of great historical
importance there.
The Palácio Anchieta houses priceless
works of art and offers fantastic views of the
Bay of Vitória.
4. Chocolates
Garoto
For those with
a sweet tooth,
the Chocolates
Garoto factory is
one attraction that
cannot be missed.
Founded in 1929, it has a separate museum,
with traditional chocolate-making machines.
With plenty of free samples on offer, it is well
worth taking the hour-long guided tour!
5. Praia da
Costa
Whether you want
to play football, go
for a bike ride or
just sunbathe, Praia
da Costa is a beach
with lots to offer.
The pier has
fantastic views of the coast and, at night,
there is a busy fair. At the bay’s entrance
is the Santa Luzia lighthouse; built in 1870,
it is 12m high and still helps navigation
for the ports of Vitória, Capuaba and
Vila Velha.
Panoramic view of Vitória,
the state capital of Espírito
Santo, in Brazil
www.sailors-society.org 11Port profile
C&CSpring16_pp10-11 Port.indd 11 02/02/2016 13:20

12. 12 FROM THE ARCHIVES
O
ne of the most appalling
of modern catastrophes at
sea occurred off Malta, on
Wednesday, 25 November.
The SS Sardinia, of the Ellerman-
Papayanni Line, left Valetta Harbour at about
10am, bound for Alexandria with at least
193 persons on board, including a crew of
39 men. Scarcely had the gallant ship left
the harbour before she was on fire. A high
wind and rough sea aggravated the situation.
Explosions took place, some sharp and frequent
like the discharges of musketry, others loud and
overpowering like the eruption of a volcano.
When the authorities realised what had
happened, they had to consider the safety of the
island and the shipping in the harbour. Powder
magazines might quickly be endangered by a
ship in conflagration, and the unfortunate vessel
had to be warned it could not return to port.
The Sardinia first wheeled round as though
she meant to enter the harbour; then she veered
and swerved from the course she took in her sad
plight. She dared not go on and she could not
come back; anxiety and confusion were growing
on board. Suffocating smells were ascending
from the hold; smoke half-blinded everybody;
TRAGIC TALE OF
SS SARDINIA – THE
‘MALTESE TITANIC’
The SS Sardinia tragedy of 1908, which claimed 121 lives, is considered the worst peacetime
maritime catastrophe in Maltese waters. The following account – with wording taken from 1909’s
Chart & Compass – describes the events and how one of the Society’s missionaries helped survivors
and the rattle of explosions and the thunders of
destruction with the roaring of the fire continued
and gathered strength.
The third mate (with hands and face badly
burned) and the quartermaster were driven
from the bridge, and the captain, who had
gallantly remained at his post, was killed or
blown overboard.
Moving in a circle, cutting the waters with
uncertainty of action, the Sardinia refused
to be managed. The only safety lay in her
being cast upon the land, upon the rocks that
pound and rend and destroy her, yet save her
perhaps in part. She drove upon the shore
hard by Fort Ricasoli.
Before this took place, the 193 souls on
board had to seek what salvation seemed to
present itself. The hungry sea was around them;
the raging flames sought to devour them; death
was present on every hand. Soon some persons
fell suffocated, others threw themselves into the
sea; a number clung to the sides of the ship
afraid to leave it, afraid to remain on board.
The marine police, the fleet in the harbour,
and the military, did all they could to save
them. Action was prompt, methodical, steady,
complete. Naval pinnaces, dockyard and
government tugs, even private boats with all
possible speed were around the doomed ship.
There was danger in approaching, but danger
does not keep brave men away. As the terrified
passengers fell or cast themselves into the water,
they were picked up in considerable numbers.
Nine saloon passengers were saved, as well as
23 of the crew and 40 others.
Our missionary, Lieutenant H W Harvey,
RNR, was early on the spot, and prevailed
upon the Naval Commander-in-Chief’s barge to
tow his small boat to the mouth of the harbour,
in hope of being able to render assistance.
The danger of his boat being swamped, and
the impossibility of his rendering any help
there, compelled him to return to the Custom
House, and prepare to render assistance to
those who would soon be landed in all stages
of destitution.
Almost immediately after they were landed,
the whole of the surviving crew were sought
after and located by Mr Harvey; and thanks to
his untiring energy, were promptly housed and
clothed. He ministered to them spiritually with
encouraging results, and conducted a service
at the Seamen’s Hospital at which nearly all
were present.
The hungry sea was
around them; the raging
flames sought to devour
them; death was present
on every hand
12 www.sailors-society.org
Lieutenant Harvey, RNR, with survivors
from the Sardinia disasterThe Sardinia on the rocks at Ricasoli
SHUTTERSTOCK/CTATIANACASSARPHOTO,MALTA
CASSARPHOTO,MALTA
C&CSpring16_pp12-13 Blast.indd 12 03/02/2016 13:28

13. 13our missionwww.sailors-society.org
News from our port chaplains around the world
Life on the quayside
Wreath laid for
HMS Natal centenary
I
nvergordon port chaplain Drew Anderson
took part in a moving commemorative
centenary service late last year for those
lost when HMS Natal blew up and sank in
Cromarty Firth.
The vessel had been lying at anchor in the
Firth, with a children’s party taking place on
board, when an explosion occurred in the
magazine, causing her to capsize and sink
within five minutes. The death toll of 421
included women and children who had been
attending the party.
Drew said: ‘It was a very moving ceremony,
commemorating more than 400 Navy
personnel and civilians that were tragically lost.’
A subsequent Royal Navy court martial
concluded that the explosion was probably
caused by faulty cordite.
Lucie Ranoromalala, chaplain in Toamasina,
Madagascar, contacted Sailors’ Society’s
programme team to let them know about
the education needs of the children in the
seafaring communities.
With the help of the Society, Lucie was
able to purchase a number of school kits for
children of a variety of ages to help them
with their education.
Lucie said: ‘What great joy they had
because these kits are a gift from God for
seafarers’ families in Toamasina.’
Following slow salvage over decades, and
demolition of the remnants in the 1970s to
avoid endangering navigation, the remains of
HMS Natal were designated as a war grave.
After the centenary service – attended by
Society helps
with education
Brazilian chaplain’s
humanitarian trip
S
alvador port chaplain Celson Amorim
joined a group of missionaries who
went to the Philippines to provide
humanitarian support.
Celson was part of a contingent who
helped to construct three houses, as well
as provide medical, dental and physical
therapy support.
Celson said: ‘It was a remarkable
experience, where we saw the reality of a
very poor country. The Philippines has a joyful
people, who are very nice.
‘While we were working on the construction
of one of the houses, we met a lot of children
who came to see us every day. We had a
very good time playing football, basketball
and speaking to them about the love of Jesus.
‘I promised to make something to help them,
as they don’t have the financial means to meet
their basic needs.
‘In Kawit Medellin, province of Cebu, I
had the opportunity to talk to Pastor Rolando
Gerones about Sailors’ Society’s activities.
I learned that in the city there are many
unemployed and retired seafarers who were
affected by Typhoon Haiyan in 2013.
‘Now I know that not only do the seafarers
need help, but many people in the country
need practical help, and most importantly,
they need to know the truth that sets you
free – Jesus.’
many local people, a contingent from the Royal
Navy and Royal Navy Association, and a
granddaughter of the captain who died in the
sinking – a wreath-laying ceremony took place
over the wreck.
C&CSpring16_pp12-13 Blast.indd 13 02/02/2016 13:22

14. 2015 IN REVIEWTHE SOCIETY’S INNOVATIVE YEAR
O
n 8 November 2013, Typhoon Haiyan,
the most powerful storm ever to make
landfall, struck the Philippines, killing
more than 6,000 people and leaving millions
without food, shelter or a livelihood.
After an emergency appeal, which raised
£225,000, Sailors’ Society – in partnership
with Habitat for Humanity Philippines and
the Homer Foundation – began a campaign
to rebuild seafaring communities affected by
Typhoon Haiyan.
Two years on, thousands of Filipinos are
benefiting from the programme, through which
we have provided: fishing boats and new homes
for seafarers’ families; classrooms that double
as emergency community shelters; medical/
community centres; bikes for students to travel to
school; two port chaplains, a project coordinator
and family outreach worker, who are offering
practical, financial and spiritual support.
We have a long history of contributing welfare
support in the Philippines, so this was a natural
progression. We are there for the long term and
will continue to innovate through partnership.
help for
filipinos
Developed by Rareloop, with support from
MarineTraffic and Augustea, our dream for a
new way of delivering global welfare support
became a reality.
The Chapplaincy mobile app enables
real-time activity reporting, and maintains a
history of ship visits and the support provided.
Data can be accessed by chaplains in other
ports and – subject to confidentiality and data
protection policies – can be used to provide
ongoing care and assistance as ship and
crew continue their voyage.
The app is the first of its kind. It enables
more effective use of time and improved
coordination with other welfare organisations.
Chapplaincy revolutionises the way our
chaplains work with seafarers, allowing
them to respond faster and follow up with a
seafarer’s friends and family, even after the
ship has sailed.
Earlier identification of the problems
that emotionally impact seafarers will
reduce safety risks, lead to a more
efficient workforce and improve retention
rates for shipowners.
Our Durban-based Crisis Response Centre
supports seafarers in need throughout
sub-Saharan Africa, by providing 24-hour
rapid response and trauma counselling
for survivors of piracy attacks and other
disasters at sea.
Research by Oceans Beyond Piracy (OBP)
found that seafarers could exhibit symptoms
similar to post-traumatic stress disorder
simply by passing through areas at high
risk of piracy – so the centre provides a
vital service. It reaches traumatised crews
by flying in trained teams to help local
chaplains care for victims of piracy or
other incidents at sea, in the western Indian
Ocean and Gulf of Guinea ports.
Innovation isn’t just about new
technology; it’s about finding new ways of
doing the things that matter to people.
Sailors’ Society is committed to seafarers
and their families, and will continue to
search for innovative ways to deliver its
services around the world in 2016.
Chapplaincy app why our Crisis Response
Centre matters
Our Wellness at Sea coaching programme aims
to improve seafarers’ onboard wellbeing. The
vast majority of incidents at sea are attributed to
‘human error’, a term that disguises a variety of
underlying problems.
Fatigue, poor mental health, stress and
many other issues all affect seafarers, and
between them can make the difference between
safe transit and a major incident.
Wellness at Sea seeks to combat these
issues by addressing ‘wellness’ as a holistic
concept made up of five specific areas of
wellbeing – social, emotional, physical,
intellectual and spiritual.
Wellness at Sea
Port chaplain Peter Donald and a seafarer
www.sailors-society.orgTRANsFORMING LIVES14
Last year, Sailors’ Society
implemented four truly
innovative major projects.
Chief executive Stuart
Rivers outlines how they
have changed the way
we transform the lives of
seafarers and their families
Pupils using their
Sailors’ Society-
funded bikes
C&CSpring16_pp14-15.indd 14 03/02/2016 13:31

15. SPIRITUAL SUPPORTFAITH IS BOTH A COMFORT AND pROTECTION FOR THOSE AT HOME AND AWAY AT SEA
O
ne hand firmly clasping another is a
basic human expression of protection
and care, and has varying significance
according to the parties involved.
LOST
Etched in my mind is the memory of when, as
a four-year-old, I became lost in the high street
of our home town. My mother had momentarily
let go of me to check her list before entering
a clothes shop with my big brother to buy his
school uniform. Innocent of the fact that they had disappeared through the doorway, I continued
toddling along the pavement with false assurance – until, abject horror, I realised mum wasn’t there.
But wait, there in front of me… I’m safe. The figure turns as I cry out. Despair – it’s not her.
DEEp FEELINGS
Sobbing expresses the feeling of total loss that has just invaded my secure world. But almost
simultaneously the nightmare is over – my mother is running towards me calling my name, and we
are reunited. Our separation was probably only a matter of seconds, but its imprint on my mind –
more than 60 years later – highlights that universal need to feel secure.
FORMS OF SECURITY
Of course, as we grow, we find our security in more complex forms
that soften the edge of life’s harsher realities. We are thankful for every
advance in workplace safety, healthcare, and developments in conflict
resolution, for instance; but – at a basic level – what we all yearn for is
to know that there is someone there to whom you mean the world: your
loved ones; your family; your closest friends.
BRINGING YOU SECURITY
For Sailors’ Society, safety at sea means more than technical innovation;
we aim to bring you practical love and security. We are here to try to
ensure that no-one feels lost and isolated. When you desperately miss
your loved ones, we help you to get in touch with them; when you feel
neglected and unwanted, we try to help you realise just how valued you
are; if there are troubles at home or aboard, we will make every effort to
assist you. The woolly hats that we often have available for you symbolise
the warmth that we want you to know – that despite the sacrifice, dangers
and loneliness of life spent at sea, ‘all shall be well’ in the end.
All shall be well because we believe that the heart of our security is the
love of God. His determined love is so great that, if we sense that we
are lost, we can turn around and find him pursuing us with hands that are
longing to hold us safely.
‘For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only son, that
whoever believes in him shall not perish, but have eternal life.’ – John
3:16 New International Version (NIV).
About the author
Revd Mark Ashton Warner
is Sailors’ Society’s public
engagement officer
He led me to a place of safety; he
rescued me because he delights in me.
PSALM 18:19
Wise choices will watch over you.
Understanding will keep you safe.
PROVERBS 2:11
You rule the oceans.
You subdue their storm-tossed waves.
PSALM 89:9
Scripture quotations taken from
New living Translation
PRAyER
IN SAFE HANDS
PIXELHEADPHOTO/SHUTTERSTOCK
15OUR FAITHwww.sailors-society.org
C&CSpring16_pp14-15.indd 15 02/02/2016 13:24

16. 17-20 June 2016
Take on the might of Three Peaks over 24 hours
and raise funds to help seafarers worldwide.
3 PEAKS
2016
To register visit sailors-society.org/events/three-peaks-challenge
For more information email Siân via events@sailors-society.org
C&CSpring16_pp16.indd 16 02/02/2016 14:50