AoS helps seafarers stranded in US harbour

They can see the land but they can't walk on it

Seafarers' charity Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) is providing support for a group of seafarers who have been stranded on board their ship since the 20th September in Baltimore harbour, Maryland, USA.

According to media reports the ship's owner is behind on payments for the operation of the vessel meaning that it has been stranded at anchorage.

Together with other agencies in the port AoS has been working to provide the crew with material, spiritual and emotional support.

AoS port chaplain, Father John Fitzgerald said: "Thanks to the generosity of the Knights of Columbus we have been able to obtain a new flat screen TV for the crew, this will help keep their spirits up at this difficult time. As most of the crew are foreign, they are unable to come ashore, they can see the land but can't walk on it."

The crew's faith has been forgotten either Fr John is looking to provide the crew with Sunday Missals and getting a Catholic layman who works on one of the boats to possibly go aboard a conduct a lay communion service.

In the years following the global recession AoS port chaplains around the world have been helping numerous crews enduring such circumstances.

For more information see: www.apostleshipofthesea.org.uk