QVSR Seafarers Centres, the Seafarers Mission of the Methodist Church, unveiled its refurbished Bristol Seafarers’ Centre last week in Portbury.
The refurbishment project cost in the region of £75,000 and the main source of funding has come via the Department for Transport (DfT) working in partnership with leading maritime charity the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB). This funding sees the QVSR Bristol Seafarers Centre modernised to a standard that makes it one of the best examples of seafarer welfare facilities in Europe.
The funding comes as part of the UK Government’s commitment to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC2006), which seeks to improve and develop maritime welfare services across the world. The newly-refurbished centre will offer 24-hour access to seafarers and also have an Alcohol Free Bar – named ‘The Dry Dock’ – this is possibly the only non-alcohol seafarers bar in the world! QVSR was also delighted to partner with local artist Julie Mainstone; the launch will see the official unveiling of her bespoke art works created especially for the centre. One of the main things a seafarer needs is access to high speed Wi-Fi and thanks to recent funding from the TK Foundation, this is now available at the centre.
Alexander Campbell QVSR Seafarers Centres, CEO said:
“QVSR is delighted to be at the helm of improving our Seafarers centres welfare facilities here in the UK. Seafarer centres need to seek to deliver everything the modern seafarer needs and wants – this is what we are doing here at Bristol.
We have created a modern space of the highest standard for seafarers to relax in, with recreation facilities such as pool, karaoke, and of course the aforementioned Alcohol-Free Bar. We believe that the QVSR Bristol Seafarers Centre sets the standards for such facilities; we want seafarers on ships berthing in the UK to experience the very best facilities and Bristol now has a first-class seafarers centre – A Centre that is ‘Ship Shape and Bristol Fashion’.
The provision of 24 -hour access at seafarers centres is vital, as ships and crew can arrive in port at any time. The QVSR Bristol Seafarers Centre will be a 24-hour facility and we are very grateful to the Bristol Port Company who have been very supportive of this initiative.
QVSR is fully committed to driving forward with a programme of improvements that will see our seafarers centres here in the UK amongst the very best in the world. We would like to thank DfT, MNWB and The Bristol Port Company for their support in making our vision a reality.”
David Brown, CEO at The Bristol Port Company, said:
“The Bristol Port is a family company and we see our visiting seafarers – from numerous nationalities – as an integral part of our wider family. It is our duty and pleasure to give them the warmest of welcomes at the newly refurbished QVSR Bristol Seafarers Centre.
I am therefore delighted that our Company has been able to support and provide them the ‘driest dock in the world!”
Stuart Rivers, CEO of MNWB, which is the umbrella charity for the UK Merchant Navy and Fishing Fleets that represents 46 welfare charities across the maritime sector, said:
“Being a seafarer is one of the toughest jobs in the world – dealing with the dangers of being at sea and spending chunks of the year away from loved ones.
“They face uncertainty every single day and can feel disconnected from the rest of the world. When they come to shore, it’s absolutely vital they have somewhere they can unwind, socialise and reconnect with their families. The fantastic facilities on offer at the newly-refurbished seafarers’ centre in Bristol will offer just that.
“There are around 45 port-based centres across the UK, many of which rely heavily on volunteers and provide a safe haven for thousands of seafarers, fishers and their dependents. They are an invaluable asset to have.”
Dennis Treleaven, Maritime Program Officer, TK Foundation, said:
“The TK Foundation is delighted to be a partner with QVSR in the development of new and improved facilities for seafarers at the Seafarers Centre in Bristol. This work reflects our commitment to supporting front line organisations across the globe that provide vital services to seafarers and we look forward to continuing to support this work in the future.”
