Page 48: of Maritime Logistics Professional Magazine (Sep/Oct 2018)

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MARINER WELFARE he Port of Liverpool on Merseyside in the UK represents a

Initial Activities prime example of a major maritime hub where the welfare

LSC’s initial activity involved streamlining the entire operation,

Tof seafarers has long been a top priority. In fact, Liverpool’s cutting waste and removing duplicate services existing between seafarer outreach work dates back to the 19th century. The Angli- the Mersey Mission and the Apostleship, which in turn helped to can Mersey Mission to Seafarers was founded in 1856, and was free up resources. LSC set up one central headquarters at Colon- later followed by the Catholic Apostleship of the Sea (Liverpool), say House in Crosby, Merseyside in order to direct the seafarer founded in 1937. Liverpool Seafarers Centre (LSC) today is the welfare support program. Work centered around on-board visits result of a successful partnership between the two organizations.

and seafarers benefted immediately because the support process

The merger followed in the footsteps of Liverpool Bishops was simplifed, having been previously approached by multiple

John Worlock and David Sheppard, who worked to overcome organizations and volunteers offering similar services, which led deep religious divisions between the Catholic and Anglican com- to confusion and crossover. Seafarers lost track of who was who, munities during the 1970s and 1980s. LSC initially began work and which organization did what. Liverpool Seafarers Centre has in 2006 before it was offcially formed on October 1, 2008. The a much clearer identity. Crews now know exactly what the orga-

Mersey Mission and Apostleship had previously worked in com- nization is and what it can do to help.

petition with one another, running small satellite centers, includ- ing operations in nearby Runcorn, Birkenhead and Salford. They

A Lifeline to Seafarers worked independently with little to no communication between

LSC annually provides support to 50,000 seafarers passing the parties, leading to much duplication of work and services. through the Port of Liverpool each year. Two centers on Mersey-

The formation of LSC, however, enabled the two organizations side – Crosby and Eastham, also serve the Manchester Ship Canal to dovetail and pool resources: this has essentially created a more – and its support system extends beyond the Liverpool dock estate. effcient and coordinated seafarer outreach program for the city LSC’s general offering has developed greatly over the years, as it and the betterment of visiting seafarers.

has become more proactive and professional. Its mission, however,

LSC CEO John

Wilson and MS

Black Watch at the

Liverpool cruise line terminal.

48 Maritime Logistics Professional September/October 2018 | |