Sailors' Society celebrates 190 years of spiritual care for seafarers

|PIC1|The Southampton-based charity, the Sailors' Society, has celebrated its 190th Anniversary with a moving service for supporters and staff.

Over 100 worshippers attended the service which led by Principal Chaplain, Rev David Potterton, and the Society's Port Chaplain, Rev Frans Sahetapy, at the International Sailors Centre, near to Southampton Docks.

Those who attended were encouraged to give thanks to God for the Society's ministry in replacing isolation with belonging for seafarers across the world.

In his address, Rev Potterton reminded those present of the two meetings which took place in London pubs in 1818 which resulted in the formation of the Sailors' Society.

Since that time, the inter-denominational Sailors' Society has grown to a network of port chaplains and seafarers centres in 30 countries and almost 100 ports. The ministry works to enrich the lives and stem the loneliness of the 1.2 million seafarers around the world who often lead dangerous and lonely lives at sea, many miles from home.

The Port Chaplains visit thousands of ships every year, directly addressing the needs of seafarers irrespective of belief or nationality, and offering practical help, which can be as little as the resource to contact loved ones after months away, to spiritual assistance and counselling in times of need.

"Then as now, the Society's success in its historic mission is to respond to the needs of seafarers which he said had not changed significantly over the past 190 years," said Rev Potterton.

Councilor Stephen Barnes-Andrews, Mayor of Southampton, shared in the cutting of a 190th birthday cake.

Jan Webber, Director of Fundraising and Marketing for the Sailors' Society, was delighted that so many supporters attended the anniversary event. She said, "As well as celebrating our 190th year, which is an incredible milestone, today was about thanking our loyal supporters and staff."