CJC is a longstanding supporter of the Sailors’ Society, with Jacqueline Zalapa trustee and director of the organisation’s boards in England and Scotland. As the maritime industry faces up to coronavirus, we are also fully behind its new emergency appeal for the ‘key workers’ of the sea.

Maritime welfare charity Sailors' Society has had to suspend its operations in ports due to guidance offered on coronavirus but has responded by enhancing its ‘virtual’ support services, with chaplains available online and via a new Facebook community service for seafarers affected by the crisis.

The global organisation has also made a number of wellness resources available, including podcasts on coping with anxiety, which can be accessed through its website www.sailors-society.org, also launching an emergency appeal for the ‘key workers’ of the sea.

Commenting on the effect COVID-19 is having on seafaring professionals, Sailors' Society's COO Sandra Welch said: "This is putting intolerable strain on seafarers’ mental and emotional health, at a time when we have been forced to pull our chaplains away from offering face-to-face support. But we will not abandon them. We are diverting the full resources of the charity to finding ways of supporting these men and women. 

“In the past two centuries, we have supported seafarers through many crises, including two world wars. Our chaplains usually meet 1,000 seafarers a day in ports across the globe. As this crisis has unfolded, we have been closely following health advice in the ports where we operate and offering virtual chaplaincy to quarantined seafarers. “

A special coronavirus section of the Sailors’ Society website can be accessed at https://www.sailors-society.org/coronavirus, with health information, advice for seafarers on how to manage their mental health in light of the pandemic and contact details for chaplains and the new Facebook group.

“Please, support our appeal and help our seafarers when they need us the most."