Seafarers and fishers often live and work far from the public eye, yet their sacrifices bring us much of the food, fuel, and goods we depend on.

Though their lives can be tough, lonely, and isolating, their sacrifices and hardships don’t go unrecognised, and seafarers and fishers are not forgotten. Stella Maris – the official maritime agency of the Catholic Church – has chaplains and volunteer ship visitors in ports across the UK, offering practical, emotional, and spiritual support to crews.

In Merseyside, while visiting a ship in the port of Garston, Stella Maris Regional Port Chaplain Christopher Reynolds spoke with the vessel’s Master who had recently been to the port of Odesa in Ukraine.

The Master explained that while docked in Odesa, the vessel had been under attack from drones. Two patrol boats were deployed to protect the vessel, with drones coming within 100 metres before being shot down.

Despite their fear, the crew had to carry on working. The vessel would soon need to be go to Odesa again, so Christopher offered to arrange for Fr Alexander Smerechynskyy, Stella Maris chaplain in Odesa, to provide pastoral support to the crew when they returned. Christopher also helped them access shore leave in Liverpool which gave them much-needed rest away from the confines of their ship.

The care shown by Christopher towards the crew may have only been a small gesture, but it meant a lot to the seafarers. It showed them that they are not forgotten and that their sacrifices are recognised. It made them feel visible.

As we celebrate the season of harvest, of abundance, please remember the hidden heroes of the sea and say a prayer for them. Your kindness and support mean a lot to them.

More information about Stella Maris’ work can be found at www.stellamaris.org.uk

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