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Prayer Requests:
In Thanksgiving for 63 Years of Marriage for our news readers: Mr. & Mrs. Ralph & Julia Marcarelli. May God Bless them and their family!
For all seafarers who are just starting their careers, especially those who are struggling to find work in the current economic climate.
Prayer of St. Basil of
Caesarea (ca. 330-379)
Steer the ship of my life, Lord, to your quiet harbor, where I can be safe from the storms of sin and conflict. Show me the course I should take. Renew in me the gift of discernment, so that I can see the right direction in which I should go. And give me the strength and the courage to choose the right course, even when the sea is rough and the waves are high, knowing that through enduring hardship and danger in your name we shall find comfort and peace.
A Seafarers' Prayer
O God, I ask you to take me into your care and protection along with all those who sail ships. Make me alert and wise in my duties. Make me faithful in the time of routine, and prompt to decide and courageous to act in any time of crisis. Protect me in the dangers and perils of the sea; and even in the storm, grant that there may be peace and calm within my heart. When I am far from home and far from loved ones and far from the country that I know, help me to be quite sure that, wherever I am, I can never drift beyond your love and care. Take care of my loved ones in the days and weeks and months when I am separated from them, sometimes with half the world between them and me. Keep me true to them and keep them true to me, and every time that we have to part, bring us together in safety and in loyalty again. This I ask for your love's sake. -Amen-
AOS PRAYER
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy upon all Seafarers.
(1 Our Father)
(Hail Mary)
Our Lady, Star of the Sea, pray for us.
St. Peter, pray for us.
St. Andrew, pray for us.
Lord save us,
or we perish.
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Join AOS USA Today!
To join AOS USA simply click on the following link:
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AOS/USCCB Website:
Some went down to the sea in ships, doing business on the great waters; they saw the deeds of the Lord, his wondrous works in the deep. (Psalm 107:23-24)
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 National Maritime Day Services in Washington, DC
Dear Friends,
Captain Will Watson, of our Administrative Board, and I attended two Maritime Day Masses this past weekend in Washington, DC.
On Friday we attended Mass at the US Catholic Conference of Bishops Mary Mother of the Church Chapel in observance of the National Day of Prayer and Remembrance for mariners and people of the sea.
On Saturday a Maritime Day Mass was held at the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in the Crypt Church. Both masses were very well attended with the Saturday Mass just about filling the Crypt Church. Paul "Chip" Jaenichen, Maritime Administrator, attended the service as did many mariners and other people who work upon our nation's waterways and oceans. Many tourists attended also and learned about the Maritime world to whom we all minister.
This year's service was especially poignant for many of us US Mariners as the US Maritime industry suffered a major casualty in the El Faro sinking last October. Our thoughts and prayers were with those lost brothers and sisters of the sea during the general Intercessions.
I encourage all of you to mark next May 22nd on your calendars so that you can participate in your local Maritime Day events - especially those of you who live in cities with ports and marine facilities. Remember that well over 90% of things you use and consume every day come into the USA via the sea. Maritime is a little recognized but so very important part of all of our lives, and we should always pray for those who work on the waters of the world providing these vital services to mankind.
I want to thank Sister Joanna Okereke and her staff for coordinating these wonderful events.
May Our Lady, Star of the Sea, bless you all,
George
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Celebrate Day of the Seafarer
Dear Friends,
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) has once again put together a great "Tool Kit" for ideas on celebrating the "Day of the Seafarer" which is on June 25. We encourage each of you to celebrate this day in your ports, and to utilize social media to help put a spotlight on the important work that Seafarers do, and the needs that they have. Please check out the Tool Kit below: Tool Kit This year, IMO's Day of the Seafarer campaign wants to celebrate seafarers and let the world know how and why seafarers are indispensable to everyone. The campaign tagline this year is: "At Sea For All". Please view and share the following videos!
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Virgin Mary Church in Northern Turkey Opens to Religious Tourism
Courtesy: DailySabah.Com
19 May 2016
Editor's Note: We were very interested in the Church's relationship with Seafarers. This is also a great place to visit if you are on a Holy Land Cruise, or other cruise that goes to Turkey. If you take a cruise, or if you are a seafarer, there are ways to take your trip and turn it into a mini-pilgrimage, by visiting places such as this Church, taking time to study it, and pray there.
A rock-carved church believed to date back to the fourth century in the northern Black Sea province of Giresun has recently been opened to religious tourism. The Virgin Mary Church, lying near Giresun city center, has undergone a thorough restoration, and tourists can visit the church two days per week.
A landscaping project was also conducted to better present the church to visitors thanks to support from the Culture and Tourism Ministry. Hulusi Güleç, deputy head of the Provincial Culture and Tourism Department, said there are few rock-carved churches in Turkey. The restoration works on the church were completed in 2013, but the landscaping around the church is ongoing.
Güleç added that in the 1960s, the sea used to reach the church. "Sailors used to take fresh water with them from the fountain at the bottom of the church. It is said that sailors regularly visited the church to pray as well," he said.
Stressing that the Virgin Mary Church is a significant cultural heritage site, also he highlighted that the church is a rare site in the region considering its exceptional features, adding that more historical cultural heritage sites will add to the region's tourism. When the project is completed, the church will be open on both weekends and weekdays.
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Shared from Rose Kearney
On Sea Sunday, we are holding our Ecumenical Service in the morning. The time has to be agreed with the Port, but will likely to be held at Noon. A small Barbeque will follow.
We would love to have any of your Cruise Ship Priests who reside in Ireland, to join us at this event!
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Apostolate to Ships' Crews Given a Fresh Challenge
Courtesy: NZCatholic.NZ
By: Michael Otto
Finding new ways of being Church.
That was a challenge given to delegates at the Apostleship of the Sea Oceania regional meeting in Sydney in early March.
The challenge was issued by Fr Bruno Ciceri, from the Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People.
Fr Ciceri related an example from his own ministry, from when he was port chaplain in Kaohsiung, Taiwan.
Several years ago, he went on board an Australian flagged vessel which the owners had wanted to reflag under a flag of convenience, thereby putting the Australian crew out of work.
When Fr Ciceri and an associate went onto the ship in Taiwan, they immediately unfurled a banner in the local language and hung it from the gangway.
Then a stand-off ensued, with the crew refusing to leave the ship. Fr Ciceri stayed with them, having arranged for another priest to say his usual Sunday Masses in Taiwan.
The Italian pastor admitted to being rather nervous when he saw military personnel assembling on the dock.
Eventually the situation was resolved, but Fr Ciceri suggested to the conference delegates in Sydney that maybe what he had done could be seen as one new way of being Church.
The conference also heard from Fr Noel Connolly, SSC, who reminded delegates of Pope Francis's teaching that the first step in evangelisation is to draw close to the poor.
"The real demands of justice and of the spiritual life only become clearer in personal contact and practical involvement," Fr Connelly noted in an item in the conference programme.
Some of the challenges in drawing close to seafarers in the modern maritime environment in this part of the world were spelled out by Apostleship of the Sea New Zealand national director Fr Jeff Drane, SM.
He noted the trends of rapidly increasing communications capabilities on ships, rapid ship turnaround in ports giving seafarers less and less time ashore, and fewer and more mechanised ships at mega ports.
All these factors meant that traditional seafaring centres as operated by the Apostleship of the Sea are in danger of becoming obsolete, he stated.
Fr Drane suggested a shift towards advocacy and facilitating seafarer independence.
At the conference, a book titled Fishers and Plunderers: Theft, Slavery and Violence at Sea was distributed.
It told of abuses in the global fishing industry, including human trafficking on land and violence and slavery at sea.
The book was co-authored by Fr Ciceri and it noted the progress New Zealand has made in ensuring better conditions for fishers in its exclusive economic zone.
According to the Transport Ministry, it will be compulsory for all foreign chartered fishing vessels to be reflagged as New Zealand ships by May 1, 2016.
These vessels flagged to New Zealand will be subject to the same legislative and regulatory
requirements and enforcement provisions as a domestically owned and flagged vessel.
New Zealand has also ratified the Maritime Labour Convention 2006, and this comes into force on March 9, 2017.
But it does not apply to fishing vessels.
At the Sydney conference, issues of concern to delegates included AoS volunteer recruitment and upskilling, collaboration between centres and sharing resources, ecumenical cooperation, port support for seafarer welfare facilities and the changing needs of seafarers.
A new app for the Apostleship of the Sea was also highlighted.
All in all, the conference was attended by about 50 delegates including nine from New Zealand - from Auckland, Tauranga, Wellington and Lyttelton.
Also at the conference were Bishop Joseph Kalathiparambil, secretary of the Pontifical Council
for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant Peoples, and Bishop Bosco Puthur, the bishop promoter for the AoS in Australia.
At the conference, a structure was developed to facilitate a collaborative response to the needs of other parts of Oceania.
Apostleship of the Sea regional coordinators from throughout the world also met in Sydney and shared experiences with the Oceania delegates.
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The Apostleship of the Sea UK: A Ministry of Mercy
Courtesy: Vatican Radio
By: Tracey McClure
22 May 2016
Bringing into focus the "invisible" lives of seafarers is at the heart of a campaign by the UK's Office of the Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) for this Jubilee Year of Mercy. Set up to offer pastoral care and practical assistance for seafarers, the largely volunteer charitable network has published a prayer card which they have been distributing to seafarers and to supporters, "reminding them of both the corporal and spiritual works of mercy," says AoS-UK's National Director Martin Foley.
Click here to listen to the Radio Interview
As part of its Jubilee campaign, AoS is also organizing a series of retreats on the theme of mercy for its 16 port chaplains and some 120 volunteer ship visitors.
"They are a fantastic [and growing] team which enables us to provide good coverage across all the UK ports," explains Foley. His office has appointed two new assistant port chaplains in the last twelve months, he says, "because we recognize the scale of this ministry and the need to ensure that it's properly resourced."
The "invisible" plight of many seafarers
"All too frequently, we come across instances of a crew being abandoned or not having been paid, or having to face difficult conditions on board - whether that be through inadequate meals, or inadequate hygiene/washing facilities," Foley stresses.
AoS is currently responding to one such situation in Kent, in southern England. The crew of the Southern Star container ship have not been paid their wages for the last few months and the ship has been detained by the UK Maritime and Coastguard Agency for being unseaworthy. Several of the Russian crewmembers have been repatriated but a handful remain on board in a bureaucratic limbo.
AoS Kent port chaplain Deacon Paul Glock and his team have been ministering to the crew and offering practical support, including providing essential provisions, Foley explains. Together with other agencies, AoS is pressing port and state authorities for a resolution to the situation.
We do this, Foley affirms, because "we are a mission of the Church; we have been sent by the Church to share God's love with seafarers. And that's not just Catholic seafarers; it's all seafarers and to assure them that though they are far from home, family and friends, that the Church, through the Apostleship of the Sea, is here for them. To serve them spiritually, pastorally and practically."
Foley is pleased that some of the seafarers have been able to secure a contract on another ship, or return home.
"But officers on board a vessel have to 'stick it out,'" admits Foley. "So if they're not able to come ashore, we have to go to them. And this is really when the local Catholic community steps up to provide support...to provide food, clothing where necessary. And to really reassure those seafarers that are stranded in a port... that out-of-sight does not mean out-of-mind. And that we continue to be here for them."
And, being there for them can simply mean visiting the crew on a regular basis and engaging them in conversation "to keep them in touch with the world out there."
In many cases, AoS will also supply the crew with "what we call a 'my-fi' unit so they can communicate via the internet with family and friends back home."
AoS also works closely with trade unions so that where outstanding wages are due, these can be paid out to the crew. The charity also recruits translation services where required.
"Our overriding objective is to make sure that whilst the crew may be stranded in a UK port for a length of time, while they are here, they do not feel abandoned. And they feel that someone is out there being an advocate for them, with the appropriate authorities," Foley stresses.
Sea Sunday 10 July on the horizon
To raise awareness about the needs and contributions of seafarers, the Church sets aside the second Sunday of July as Sea Sunday which this year will be celebrated on July 10th. AOS invites parishes across the globe to pray and to "really put seafarers front and centre," says Foley.
Year-in and year-out, seafarers come and go out of our ports and are largely "invisible," says Foley. One of our roles, he adds, "is to make visible this wonderful work of seafarers, to raise people's awareness of the conditions that many seafarers have to endure to look after their families. It's a moment to ask the Catholic community to support seafarers through prayer and charitable giving."
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AOS South Africa Facing the Future with Confidence
Courtesy: AOS Great Britain
24 May 2016
Members of the Apostleship of the Sea from across South Africa met in Bloemfontein from 17th to 21st May to chart the future work of the charity.
Serious challenges facing seafarers and fishermen were addressed by the national conference. Fr Herman Giraldo, Durban port chaplain described the scourge of modern day piracy and the lasting effects it has on seafarers who have been victims of it. The conference also heard of some of the shocking conditions on some of the most poorly run ships in the fishing industry and the support AoS ship visitors provide to the crews of these vessels. The conference was also addressed by video link by Fr Bruno Ciceri, the international secretary of the AoS based at the Pontifical Council for Migrants at the Vatican.
Over the last 18 months AoS in South Africa has embarked on a twinning programme with AoS in Great Britain to share experiences to ensure that both countries can continue to support the faith and welfare of seafarers for years to come. John Green, from AoS GB told delegates by video link that lessons learnt from the twinning programme were informing similar ventures in other countries around the world.
Present for the duration of the conference was Archbishop Jabulani, the bishop promoter of the Apostleship of the Sea in South Africa, who led daily Mass for the delegates.
National Director Terry Whitfield said at the conclusion of the conference, 'It has been heartening to hear of the great work AoS continues to do in ports such as Durban, Cape Town and latterly in Richards' Bay. We've worked hard in this last year to improve our communications with a new website recently launched. The conference helped us clarify the way ahead for the charity and in particular in 2017 we want to establish a national board that can ensure the countrywide provision of top class pastoral care for seafarers and fishermen for years to come.'
The conference was made possible thanks to a generous grant from Seafarers UK.
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Shortage of Seafarers is Increasing
The next 3 articles emphasize the need for more seafarers. The shortage of Seafarers throughout the industry is at a level of great concern. This is true across the industry in most countries, including here in the United States.
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Act Now to Retain Seafarers says InterManager
Press Release: InterManager
17 May 2016
InterManager has welcomed the joint BIMCO/ICS Manpower Report, but says it should act as a wake-up call for the industry to address the issue of the accelerating shortage of seafarers.
Speaking soon after the report was published, InterManager Secretary-General, Capt Kuba Szymanski said shipping should not sit on its laurels when it comes to the recruitment and retention of seafarers. "Our people are our assets and we need to develop a strategy whereby shipping is once again seen as a career of choice for tomorrow's young talented people.
"There is no avoiding the fact that the global fleet is increasing and more manpower is needed. However, we are demanding more from current seafarers rather than recruiting even more cadets into the market. And these cadets need training berths on our ships if they are to fulfil their true potential. Attracting new seafarers and retaining them will test the industry, but we are taking action now with initiatives such as the single window, paperless shipping and project MARTHA to address this issue." Capt Szymanski said.
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Norbulk Warns Shortage of Officers could lead to more Competition between Ship Managers
Press Release: Norbulk Shipping
18 May 2016
Leading ship management company Norbulk Shipping has warned that the shortage of officers highlighted in the BIMCO/ICS Manpower report, could lead to an accelerated level of competition between ship managers.
Glasgow-based Norbulk Shipping believes that despite the worrying prediction that there will be a shortfall of 147,500 officers over the next ten years, quality ship owners could in fact benefit from the lack of qualified officers
Director of Nobulk Shipping Peter Karlsen said: "Although the figures published in the report are very worrying, we could see something positive coming out of it. The shortage of skilled officers could actually lead to more competition between the operators.
"Experienced officers will have a greater choice of employers, which may give an advantage to quality ship managers and owners. Those who have built up a good reputation and offer a high standard of crew welfare will have a better chance of recruiting the experienced officers."
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Thome responds to Manpower Report Shortfall
Press Release: Thome Group
18 May 2016
Thome has described as 'worrying', the suggestion by the latest BIMCO/ICS Manpower Report that officer shortages could be as high as 147,500 by 2025, and has called on fellow ship managers to redouble their efforts in promoting shipping as an attractive career option for young people.
"Shipping's biggest asset is its seafarers and the industry needs to take seriously the findings of this report. Thome has always invested in its staff and is committed to the career advancement of its seafarers through its cadet programme which has provided the company with a good base of junior officers and the development of these officers to senior ranks is one of the priorities of the company," said Claes Eek Thorstensen, President of the Thome Group.
"Interestingly, the report suggests that China has overtaken the Philippines as the largest single source of seafarers. As long as the Philippines can produce competent officers who can compete with other nationalities then it will continue to remain an important recruitment hub," he added.
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When ingenuity, courage and resolution make the impossible possible. The salvage of the CostaConcordia...and beyond
Courtesy: Michele Sancricca, MBA MBB
International Maritime Expert
Two days ago I had the honour of attending a stunning conference by Captain Nicholas Sloane of Resolve Marine here in NY city. Nick is the Salvage Master who lifted, along with a "large team" as he humbly stresses, the wreck of the Costa Concordia ship. This event triggered some reflections of mine (I do reflect a lot..) concerning not only the incredible achievement of this salvage, but, more broadly, the issue of safety in the cruise industry. Let's start with the salvage of the Concordia though.
The raising of Costa Concordia has been so far the greatest ship salvage of the history: a masterpiece of marine engineering, geology, seamanship and bravery, costing more than $1.2 Billion. If you have time watch the following video, otherwise just continue with the article for a short summary of the events. The most striking takeaway from the presentation Mr. Sloane gave us is the following quote: "Ship Salvage Is a science of vague assumptions, based on debatable figures, from inconclusive instruments, performed with equipment of problematical accuracy, by persons of doubtful reliability, and of questionable mentality." - Capt. Nick Sloane This statement tells everything about the complexity of the endeavour. Literally, Nick and his team made the impossible possible, lifting the dead giant from the rocky bottom of the Tirreno Sea against all the odds. It took hundreds of divers, welders, engineers, shipyards, mechanical and marine companies working 24/7 for more than 2 years. Click to Read More
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Is an Oil Recovery Takeoff Point Approaching?
Courtesy: Workboat.Com
By: G. Allen Brooks
24 May 2016
Crude oil prices have risen to within a hair's breadth of $50 a barrel, a level previously thought unattainable before the second half of this year or 2017. The past four months have seen oil prices essentially go straight up since the low of $26.19 a barrel on Feb. 11. The 85% price rise is beginning to fuel optimism that the worst of this downturn is now in our rearview mirror.
Of course, a realist would point out that today's oil price is merely back to the level we were at in late October and early November of last year before the market's collapse.
The rise in oil prices has been fueled by solid industry data showing a decline in domestic output in response to a lack of new well drilling. On the other hand, industry data is also showing that oil demand is growing, especially for gasoline as Americans drive more. Shrinking supply and growing demand are the recipe for falling inventories and ultimately higher oil prices. A higher oil price is the medicine the industry needs before ramping up activity.
Just when producers will start going back to work depends on several questions. How high do prices need to go and for how long before producers' confidence about the future is restored and they resume drilling?
In an interview with CNBC on May 20, Tom Ward, CEO of Tapstone Energy and a co-founder of Chesapeake Energy and Sandridge Energy, was not encouraged about a quick industry recovery. In contrast to other producers who have stated that when oil prices reached $50 bbl. they would reactivate drilling rigs, Ward said the industry needed to get back to $75 bbl. before there would be a production response.
Oil production is falling because the industry has effectively shut down. U.S. oil and gas companies deferred $380 billion in capital projects through the end of last year due to low oil prices, according to energy consultant Wood Mackenzie. As Ward pointed out, "Whenever you make a decision to stop drilling, it takes a number of months or years in order for that decision to actually impact the market." Likewise, once the market rebalances and oil prices rise to a level sufficient to justify investing in new projects, it will take some time before drilling starts and even longer before new production arrives.
The key point Ward made to CNBC was this: "In our business, the dirty little secret is you can't really spend within cash flow and grow production."
Translation: Only when the industry can return to spending more than it takes in can we reverse the oil output decline. It is possible that we return to the industry environment we were operating in before this downturn, but it may be that the future will be different and overspending will not be tolerated. If this comes to pass, it is likely that we will experience much higher oil prices for a lot longer than many currently anticipate.
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Join AOS-USA in saying the AOS Prayer each day!
Please take the time to say this pray with us each day:
Sacred Heart of Jesus, have mercy upon all Seafarers
(1 Our Father)
(Hail Mary)
Our Lady, Star of the Sea, pray for us.
St. Peter, pray for us.
St. Andrew, pray for us.
Lord save us, or we perish!
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Important Upcoming Events for
AOS-USA Members
IMO Day of the Seafarer
June 25, 2016
Sea Sunday
July 10, 2016
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