President Stewart Wilson welcomed two visiting Rotarians from the Perth Kinnoull club, PP Steve Blackett and Willie Monks, and our speaker Rev Becky Haldane whose topic was the Sailor's Society.
The Sailor's Society, now a charity, was founded nearly 200 years ago by a Baptist minister who had been at sea as a crew member. On returning to land he found that sailors were looked down on, receiving little help with employment, health, or social problems. The first refuge he established was on a ship in the Thames, and today the society, through its chaplains, provides help for sailors of all nations in the UK and worldwide. The help may be with practical problems such as housing or with family difficulties. Sailors are away from home and family for long periods, and on board crews are often small even on large vessels restricting social contacts.
The internet is available to them on one third of ships, but
in some ways this intermittent contact can increase stress when they become
aware of problems back home about which they can do nothing. Seafaring
remains lonely and hazardous, with nine ships a month lost at sea, the
possibility of piracy, and in some cases wages not being paid or poor living
conditions. One third of all sailors are from the Philippines, a long way from
home. Chaplains, 120 at present, can go on board making contact, showing
interest, helping with practical problems, contacting families, offering
emotional support. Our speaker, Becky Haldane, covers all of Scotland but
has worked in many parts of the world. The Sailor's Society receives no
government funding. Despite advances in technology, many of the problems
experienced by sailors remain much as they always were, as does the need for help.
The Vote of thanks was given by Bill Bryce.
Next week's meeting 15th December will be our Xmas lunch. Visitors’ host is Faye
McPherson. THE CLUB WILL NOT MEET on 22nd and 29th December
restarting on 5th January.