Mission to Seafarers- Port Vila

THE Mission to Seafarers in Port Vila is working on establishing a seafarer’s centre at the main wharf of Port Vila. This establishment within the premise of Ports and Habours will be the first of its kind since the existence of the mission in Vanuatu a decade ago.

Currently the office of the Mission to Seafarers is about 5 to 6km to the main wharf of Port Vila, which at time can be difficult to do visits. It was been an ongoing plan since the existence of this mission, however we are still trying to establish a centre much closer to the main wharf. A 20ft office container was purchase and will be used as a seafarers centre; work on the establishment has already started and will hopeful to complete in early 2013.

The Mission to Seafarers would like to thank the ACOM Provincial Headquarter in Vanuatu for the purchase of the new office container which worth 450,000VT and the Diocesan Bishop of the Diocese of Vanuatu/New Caledonia for ensuring that the equipment are transferred to Port Vila.  This was made possible during the recent visit of the M.V Southern Cross to Port Vila in May 2012. The members of the Anglican youth in Port Vila have also contributed to the establishment and we hope such assistance will continue until we reach the final stage. Further, to thank the former Mission to Seafarers Executive Committee which their term had ended on the 30th August 2012 for their support and commitment towards the mission. We hope the new Mission to Seafarers Executive Committee will continue from where the former committee had left. 

However, with the current plan to upgrade the Star Wharf to much bigger capacity by the Ifira Group of Companies in early 2013. The Chaplain with the new Mission to Seafarers -Executive Committee is hoping to further negotiate with the Ifira Group of Companies which is aware of the incentive taken by the Anglican Church of Melanesia in establishing a Seafarers Centre. The Department of Ports and Habours has been very supportive and is very keen to see this acomplished.

On behalf of the Mission to Seafarers in Port Vila, thank you for the support and it is our hope and pray that this mission will service the interest of our seafarers.