Apostleship of the Sea - ‘Mothballed’ Ship in Blyth
The effects of the economic downturn are apparent for all to see, with companies cutting back on production, laying off staff, and well known High Street names ceasing to trade.
However there are some places where these effects may not be so evident. For example, at the present time, there is a large container ship, the m/v Cala Ponente berthed at Port of Blyth which has been ‘mothballed’, ie effectively taken out of service until such time as cargoes once again become available for shipment. It is here in this lay-by berth that the ship is likely to remain for several months, isolated by the harsh realities of the current financial climate.
Whilst the majority of the crewmembers on the ship have now been repatriated, a small number of men (four at the time of writing) remain on board as watchmen, existing in less than ideal conditions. The Apostleship of the Sea, in the guise of Lay Chaplain to Port of Blyth, Paul Atkinson, is providing whatever practical and pastoral care is needed, in order to make life on board for these men a little more bearable; this has included providing a warm air heater for the Mess room, and transport for members of this ‘skeleton’ crew to attend Mass and to town for shopping.
As Paul points out, “Visiting a ship in a lay-by berth is unlike going to a ‘working’ ship. As soon as you get to the top of the gangway, you are conscious that the only noise you can hear is your own footfall on the metal plates as you cross the deck. There are no cranes working to load or discharge cargo and no loud voices; no noise either from the engines. The thud of feet on metal only rises in volume as you climb the metal stairs to the ships accommodation. Here too, once inside, there is silence. The Cargo Control Room is vacant, as is the Galley; no noise of clattering pans, no smells of food cooking, just silence permeated in this case by music or chatter from a small radio in the crew Mess Room”.
“The welcome from the few crewmen on board is nonetheless warm and I chat with them about how they are coping, ask if there is anything they need and generally try to lift their spirits. Fortunately for these men, they are only a few minutes walk from the town centre, but it could be said that in other ways they are a long way from civilisation”.
The Apostleship of the Sea will continue to visit the ship regularly, as long as it remains in the lay-by berth, and provide whatever assistance the crew may need throughout their potentially long stay. Paul adds, “Making the stranger welcome is undoubtedly more important in the present situation than it is during more affluent times”.
Unfortunately the instance of ships being placed in lay-by berths, as described above is being repeated elsewhere in other in ports around the country. In fact, two sister ships belonging to the same company, the Cala Portofino and the Cala Positano have been in lay-by berths at Teesport since late November.
We hope and pray that there is an upturn in the economic situation soon, so that the seafarers on board can return to their true working life at sea, and eventually home to their loved ones.
Tony McAvoy
AOS Lay Chaplain, &
NE Regional Co-ordinator
e-mail: teesportnorth@aposmar.net
See also Diocesan Societies-Apostleship of the Sea