American volunteers join Falmouth Mission to Seafarers

Following a visit to The Flying Angel Cabin on 21 October, Falmouth now has two new American volunteers.

Rev Dr Ed Kimes is the new Minister of Falmouth Methodist Church. During his 12 month sabbatical, he and his wife Faith have offered to volunteer in The Flying Angel Cabin.

During their visit with their friends from Pennsylvania, Sue and Bob Sweeney, the couple met the Canadian captain and crew members of IT Interceptor, currently alongside at Falmouth Docks.

Crew members were able to use their laptops or the centre's computers and chat to Falmouth Mission's volunteers.

Rev Kimes and his wife enjoyed meeting crew members so much that at the end of the evening they made the offer of assistance.

Penny Phillips, Chairman, said: "We are delighted that Ed and Faith enjoyed their evening in the company of seafarers, and that they would like to volunteer for the mission."

The Flying Angel is the world's first floating seafarers' centre. It is owned and operated by The Mission to Seafarers and entered full-time service in the port of Fujairah, Dubai, in April 2007.

The purpose-built support boat takes its name from the flying angel logo of The Mission to Seafarers, which has been caring for seafarers for over 150 years.

The 27-metre vessel provides similar facilities to the mission's 100-plus land-based centres including a bank of computers, telephones, access to a chaplain for services and counselling, as well an additional service of a medical clinic with a full-time paramedic onboard.