Liverpool organisation helping seafarers as region responds to unfolding tragedy

Liverpool Seafarers Centre (LSC) is giving emotional support to scores of ship crew members, including those docked in the city’s port, struggling with the impact of the conflict in Ukraine.

Seafarers from Ukraine who have been witnessing the war raging in their homeland from far away are telling the ecumenical charity they are increasingly anxious about the safety of their loved ones.

They are also facing growing difficulties getting in contact with people back home and uncertainty about how, when and if they can return to their country.

As well as offering emotional support and a listening ear, LSC is supplying them with free SIM cards to help them as they look to get in contact with family and friends.

Meanwhile, international concern continues to grow over the welfare of thousands of seafarers, both at sea and ashore, as the war continues to escalate.

Many fear they will be unable to return to their homes. They also face growing practical difficulties, in terms of accessing money and travel restrictions, impacting on their ability to join vessels.

LSC chief executive John Wilson, said the charity has been in contact with seafarers from both Ukraine and Russia, in some cases members of the same ship’s crew, to offer its support.

He says the seafarers he has spoken to on vessels docked in Liverpool are shocked and heartbroken by what is happening and increasingly concerned for their families.

John said: “There is a feeling of helplessness, a lot of uncertainty and a lot of worry. We have reached out to seafarers docked here and stressed that we are here to listen if people want to talk about anything and that we will give what support we can in what is a terrible situation for them.

“We’re visiting vessels and hearing heartbreaking stories, including people whose family members are fleeing Ukraine and who had lost contact with them. They didn’t know where they were or when they would be able to see them again. It is so distressing.”

He added: “Another crew member from the Ukraine, whose contract is coming to an end, simply told me, ‘I haven’t got a home to go to any more’.”

According to figures from last year, 198,123 (10.5%) of seafarers are Russian, while Ukraine accounts for 76,442 (four per cent).

John says that on ships docked in Liverpool where crew members are from Ukraine and Russia there is no sign of any conflict between them. He said: “I spoke to a Russian seafarer yesterday and he told me, ‘We are all family’.”

Russian seafarers are also facing difficulties in accessing pay, as sanctions against the country kick in. They also face uncertainty over travel, with airports closed and international flights to Russia cancelled.

John said another worry was the possibility of Russian ships increasingly being denied access to ports, which would have a major impact on the welfare of crew members on board.

The war is impacting crew changes, according to reports. With movement out of Ukraine impossible, and growing problems for Russian crews, ship managers are said to have started to ask staff at sea to extend their contracts to fill the gaps.

John added: “As an ecumenical charity, we echo the thoughts of religious leaders such as the Archbishop of Canterbury and the Pope and we’d urge people to remember Ukraine and the people affected by these terrible events in their prayers and in their thoughts.”

Many North West companies have aligned themselves with the sanctions against the invasion.

Manchester online retailer Boohoo has suspended sales in Russia following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.

Jaguar Land Rover, which employs around 4,500 staff at its Halewood plant in Knowsley, has also suspended all sales in Russia.

Bury-based sports and leisure wear retailer, JD, has ceased all trading in Russia across both its brand websites and wholesale channels. These sales represented less than 0.05% of annual revenues.

Foundation 92, the charitable foundation created by Greater Manchester’s ‘Class of 92’, is starting a week-long campaign on March 7, to support Ukrainian refugees. Working with several third sector partners, Foundation 92 is setting up drop off points across Salford and Greater Manchester for donations to support refugees.

Meanwhile, GMB Union leaders have called on public bodies to freeze out Russian energy provider Gazprom from future contracts.

It says Manchester City Council currently has a £1.6m deal with Gazprom, while the University of Manchester recently awarded it a £3.6m contract to supply gas and electricity.

Gary Smith, GMB General Secretary, said: “There should be no new public sector contract awards to Gazprom, and we need an urgent government review into whether alternative suppliers can take on existing contracts.”