International Grant for new bus for the Mission to Seafarers

The International Transport Federation Trust based in London has made a Grant available to the Hobart Mission to Seafarers to assist in the purchase of a new bus to transport seafarers from the Port of Hobart, Self’s Point and Risdon to the Mission Centre in Morrison Street.

At 1:00 pm next Wednesday, 30th April at the ‘Flying Angel Centre’ of The Mission to Seafarers, 31 Morrison Street, Hobart, the Right Reverend Dr. Chris Jones, Liaison Bishop of The Mission to Seafarers Australia, [CEO of Anglicare Tasmania and Assistant Anglican Bishop of Tasmania] will bless and commission the new bus for the Hobart Mission. The keys to the vehicle will be handed over by Mr Dean Summers, head of the International Transport Federation in Australia, accompanied by Mr Matt Purcell, ITF Assistant Coordinator Australia.

In part, this Grant acknowledges the many hours spent caring for seafarers by the volunteers who open the ‘Flying Angel Centre’. The bus will enable seafarers to be transported to access the facilities of the Hobart Mission and to get away from the ‘steel box’ in which they spend much of their life. The bus will also be used to help seafarers have some recreational and sporting opportunities while in Hobart.

The Grant from the ITF Trust highlights the work done by the Mission to Seafarers in over 260 Centres around the world to care for some of the 1.4 million seafarers on whom we all depend for much of our daily needs. The large majority of these seafarers are separated from family and friends for between six and ten months at a time. Being able to contact their family through the Mission Centres that provide free computers and WiFi is of vital importance to them. As well they are able to purchase basic items such as tooth paste, soap, sweets and similar things. During the last year nearly 4,000 seafarers visited the Centre in Hobart, one of 26 Mission Centres around Australia.

Members of the media are invited to attend the commissioning and will be welcome to inspect the ‘Flying Angel Centre’ facilities following the commissioning of the bus.
Hobart Mission to Seafarers’ Chaplain, the Reverend Bruce Mitchell