Seafarers Awareness Week kicks off with a gift from Port of London Authority

This week the Port of London Authority (PLA) and the London Tilbury Seafarers Centre (LTSC) is distributing food gift bags to crews visiting the port, to show their appreciation during Seafarers Awareness week.

The gift bags include British favourites including McVities Shortbread, PG Tips and even HP Sauce, which the crew can enjoy during their short stay in the UK, while their ships are unloading.

As an island nation, 95% of our goods come to us by sea and we depend on seafarers and the wider maritime industry for our well being and prosperity.

The seafarers visiting the Thames are responsible for transporting everything from cars and fuel, to construction supplies like timber, bricks and mortar. Everyday household items come by sea too, including children’s toys, furniture, food and drink like wine, grain, meat, fruit, and veg comes by sea.

Bob Baker, PLA chief harbour master joined port chaplains Deacon Mark Moeller of German Seamen’s Mission and Queen Victoria Seaman’s Rest, Wojciech Holub of Apostleship of the Sea and LTSC and Fr Jeba Marshall to hand over gift bags to the crew of CMA CGM Goya visiting the UK from Spain.

Bob Baker said “This is only a small token of appreciation to the mariners who are vital for international trade and help deliver the 50 million tonnes of goods that come through our port every year.”

Alexander Campbell, Chair of LTSC said “London Tilbury Seafarers Centre is delighted to be distributing gifts on behalf of the PLA as part of Seafarers Awareness Week.”

Seafarers Awareness Week is an annual campaign coordinated by Seafarers UK. In 2017 there are two themes: ‘Maritime Jobs at Sea and Ashore’ and ‘Sea Ports for Prosperity’.

For more information visit: http://www.seafarers.uk/campaigning/seafarers-awareness-week-2017/