It is estimated that roughly ninety percent of the world’s goods are transported by sea, with over seventy percent as containerized cargo.

Seafarers face many problems, including loneliness, shipwreck, homesickness, less time ashore, increased workload, perhaps being abandoned for weeks on end when their shipping line goes out of business, unpaid wages and not seeing their families or being able to contact them for years.

The Mission’s chaplains serve in 200 ports in 50 countries all over the world, visiting crews on board, trying to solve their problems; and their Flying Angel centres offer relaxation and support on shore.

Below are a few extracts from fan (flying angel news), Spring 2021 issue:

“Our chaplain in South Africa contacted me about some Indian seafarers in Vietnam who had been signed off but not received salary or payments”, explains Revd. Nitin Dethe, the Mission’s chaplain in Mumbai. Revd. Nitin immediately responded, calling their recruitment agent in Mumbai and ensuring all outstanding amounts were paid by the end of the day.

Another call he received was from a Filipino chief officer docked in Shoushan, China, who had been unwell for weeks. Once again, Revd. Nitin leveraged the Mission’s international network to ensure that the seafarer received the medical attention needed.

In one tragic case, our team offered counselling and practical support to the mother of a seafarer who died from Covid-19.

“Ultimately, it is not about us – it’s about the seafarers – they are just so grateful because someone’s there for them.”

Mark Classen is chaplain in Richards Bay, South Africa. When he was contacted by a captain who had found a 23-year-old cadet dead in his cabin, he was prepared to go the extra mile. As part of the Port Welfare Committee, the Mission worked closely with the other welfare agencies in Richards Bay to organise a Mass safely on board the vessel. It took more than a week to get the relevant clearance, but the comfort it brought the crew was incomparable.

With shore leave cancelled, Mark and his team have also been busy collecting everything from essential equipment to boxes of chocolates for seafarers.

Our chaplain in Seattle, Ken Hawkins, and his team have been coordinating Amazon deliveries and gangway visits to ensure seafarers get everything from fresh fruit to toys for their children. “Sometimes we’ll have a window of just a few hours to get the deliveries to the crew,” he explains. “It means so much to seafarers to be able to give something to their families, so we want to help them do that.”

Our volunteer team in South Tees received an emergency call on Easter Sunday from an inbound vessel with a single toothbrush between a crew of 17. The team sprang into action, unlocking the centre, stripping the shelves of toothbrushes and allied toiletries. What started with a toothbrush has now grown. “Our team started to make up welfare packs of toiletries, biscuits and chocolates – all duly quarantined and safely delivered to the gangways,” explains volunteer, Alexe Finlay.

“I can only begin to imagine how seafarers and their families will speak about these dark times years from now. Many, I know, will recall the profound difference made through acts of service and kindness, large and small, by our port teams. These will have a lasting impact, as will the prayers and generosity of our supporters.”

It is important to remember, for both seafarers and the rest of the world, that at any time of the day or night, throughout the entire year, somewhere in the world a Mission to Seafarers chaplain is pulling on his or her boots and hard hat and going to the port to provide help. Our work never stops and is vital to the 1.5 million seafarers around the world.

Mission to Seafarers     Tel. 0207 2485202

Should all stories start with “once upon a time”? Mine starts in Liverpool in the late 1960s where I grew up in a leafy urban area with plenty of parks for my younger sister and me to ride our bikes in and enjoy the wonderful freedoms that people of my generation took for granted. It was a warm, caring working class family, rich in love but not particularly so in cash. My father, like thousands like him, worked for ‘Fords’ and my mother, part time as a home help. Growing up my career ambitions fluctuated between wanting to be a fireman, a sailor or work in a theatre. The careers advisors’ at school had other, less glamourous options: I remember shop assistant being mentioned. I settled on sailor.

Susan pointing to Salthouse Dock where as a child she first learned to canoe.

The first step to becoming a sailor seemed quite clear, learn to sail. Unfortunately this was not as straight forward as it sounded, sailing lessons were expensive, and I didn’t know anybody who could sail let alone anyone who had a boat. Undeterred I decided to join the Sea Scouts who met during the summer on the local boating lake (that unfortunately was nowhere near the sea). Our craft we very old, very heavy kayaks that we paddled round and round the pond. It was grubby: by the age of 13 I knew the signs and symptoms of Weirs disease, could spot an abandoned fishing hook in the overhanging branches with ease and understood that if you were unfortunate enough to fall in you didn’t put your feet down into in the decades of sludge and mud in the bottom The winter months were dedicated to building a small wooden dinghy that was never finished. Still, I learnt to kayak and full of enthusiasm and confidence I joined the local canoe club.

The canoe club met on the same pond, in the same park but on a different day and the boats were slightly newer and lighter. The main advantage was the members went away at weekends to paddle rivers in exotic locations such as North Wales and Anglesey. I managed to persuade people to lend me boats and gear to take me with them.

A very young Susan during a canoe competition at Albert Dock

After a couple of seasons I was good enough to gain a few teaching qualifications which enabled me to get a job in a water sports centre after I left school at 17.

The canoeing took place on The Leeds Liverpool Canal in an old pumping station a few bridges away from The Stanley Locks. It was my first introduction to a canal and I was fascinated by the concept of a network of water bodies that threaded their way around the country, with their links to the sea and by narrow boats.

The centre I worked for had a barge that people could book for day trips and the skipper, Lawrie lived on his own boat. I thought he was the most glamourous person I knew.

The canal was not a place to fall into; the local dogs that made that mistake never came out, instead they became bloated, stinking messes of fur…

Whilst the canoeing took place on the Leeds Liverpool canal, the sailing lessons were given in the far more salubrious Albert Dock (before the Liverpool Link was formed). Members of staff could have lessons for free! At last I could learn to sail! I use to spend all my spare time in a small boat, practising   as much as I could and loving every minute.

Susan sailing

The job in Liverpool led to another in a Watersports Centre in Devon, then another in County Durham, unfortunately neither involved canals.

By then I had met my husband to be and at 21 found I was expecting a baby, 3 more followed in quick succession as did a move to a small holding and semi derelict house in Northumberland which we spend many years renovating.

As my children grew up I decided to go to night classes, to get some qualifications: something I hadn’t really bothered with whilst in school. After 3 years I got a place at Newcastle University to study marine biology and a whole new world opened up to me. I had lectures in a marine station on the beach, went to sea in a research vessel and had opportunities to travel and for further study. I was fortunate to get a job as a research associate when I graduated and the chance to study for a PhD in marine science. I was especially interested in how boats were designed to suit their environment.

Susan sailing as the sun sets

After an amazing 13 years the lure of sailing boats began to call again so I took some sailing courses, gained some instructing qualifications and got a new job as a sailing instructor in The Lake District.

It was wonderful, every day was different. My enthusiasm knew no bounds and it wasn’t long before I had progressed to much bigger boats, learnt the art of celestial navigation, could find my way around a diesel engine, understood weather systems and finally became an Ocean Yacht Master in 2020 and a professional sailor. Childhood dreams do come true!

Susan sailing inland waters

But the story doesn’t end there.

I have been fortunate enough to travel around the world on research vessels, sailed across oceans in yachts, caught fish in trawlers, taught sailing in beautiful locations but, apart from a brief family holiday, never experienced the joy of a narrow boat. I still remembered Lawrie, the coolest man of my teen aged years. And so I found myself in my early 50s, at a cross roads in my life. My grown up children were happy and independent, my home of 30 years was wonderful but I had itchy feet and my long marriage had come to an end.

Narrowboat Blackbird

The solution came to me in the bath one day: buy a narrow boat, live on-board and travel the inland waterways.

And so I did and I am writing this article on Blackbird, a 40ft Liverpool boat, on the Leeds Liverpool canal, about an hour away from the pumping station that I use to work out of, or rather an hour away from the site of the pumping station, I was very sad to see that it had been demolished in favour of a housing estate along with many of the old wharf buildings.

My career path has expanded also.

Susan helming Blackbird

Along with my partner, I have set up ‘British Waterway Skippers’ a professional boat moving and private own boat tuition service which operates throughout the UK inland waterways.

It is the most wonderful life: both physically and mentally stimulating. I never know quite what adventures each day has in store for me, where I will moor up for the night, who I will meet along the way or what new things I will see to wonder at. I can’t recommend it highly enough.

I suppose in true story telling tradition I should end with ‘and we all lived happily ever after’ but I feel that this is just the beginning….

Making boats and owning boats is a thing of passion. Boating aficionados around the world are always looking for the new and interesting trends that are reshaping their industry, as well as opportunities to get better gear, take better care of their boats, and even find new makes and models to invest in. From the business side, though, there is no denying that the boating industry is a highly competitive field.

Not only are more manufacturers entering the playing field every year, but leaders also need to be mindful of the environmental trends, new upkeep methods and solutions like ceramic coating, what’s in demand and what the customers want, and other industry shifts. After all, it’s the only way to get ahead in a competitive industry.

That’s why today we are taking a look at the five boating trends that are important for aficionados and business leaders alike. Here’s what you should know.

fishing is always on the rise

One of the biggest reasons people rent or buy boats nowadays is to fish, either recreationally or for commercial purposes. Recreational fishing in particular has been booming over the years around the world, and especially during the COVID-19 pandemic as one of the safest recreational activities. This should come as no surprise, because fishing allows you to adhere to social distancing and gets you away from the crowds.

The sales of fishing boats are going up around the US and abroad, but it’s worth noting that fishing accessories are also being sold in larger quantities. People who are looking to upgrade their fishing boats are searching for depth finders and better motors, but also for fully equipped fishing boats that come as a complete package.

technology is transforming boat manufacturing

Technology is reshaping every industry in the world, and that includes boat manufacturing and design.

Not only are manufacturers increasingly using smart systems for planning and design purposes, but they are also using hardware and robotics to streamline the manufacturing process while ensuring safety and quality.

Technology is also a big part of the interior design of modern boats, as it appeals to the modern, tech-savvy buyer. The modern boat aficionado wants to buy or rent a model that boasts integrated IoT devices and smart features, as well as better audio and video systems.

Connectivity is also a big deal, because people want to stay connected to the world through portable Wi-Fi, GPS, and signal boosters wherever they are.

efficient inflatable boats are in demand

When it comes to the popularity of certain makes and models, there is no denying that model inflatable boats are leading the pack. Currently, the Ribco inflatable boats are among the most popular in the industry because of their versatility and durability, but also the advanced features that elevate the overall boating experience.

Inflatable boats are easy to maintain and store in the off-season, and they are powerful to boot, allowing owners to traverse the waters at high speeds without compromising on safety. These boats combine luxury and functionality, and are highly sought-after among adventurers who love to go diving and snorkelling, but also yacht owners who need a smaller vessel to accompany them on their escapades.

safety is becoming a top priority

For manufacturers and buyers, safety is becoming the most important factor. Manufacturers know that having a safety certificate is paramount to selling a boat to the cautious modern buyer, while the buyers are increasingly scrutinizing boats for their safety as well as aesthetics.

Safety devices and systems are becoming integral parts of boat design and assembly. Systems like kill switches that turn off engines in case of emergencies, man-overboard alarms and sensors, as well as sensors that track the state of individual systems in real time, all add to the quality, safety, and longevity of the boat.

boat renting is also on the rise

Lastly, keep in mind that the boat rental market is also rising steadily. We can expect this sector of the boating industry to keep rising in the next decade as boat rental becomes more affordable and accessible around the world.

Currently, the most popular boats range from 28 to 45 feet in length while smaller boats are in second place. It’s also worth noting that direct-to-consumer boat rentals are extremely popular, and that people are renting both crewed and unmanned vessels depending on the type and length of their trips.

wrapping up

The boating industry is on the rise around the world, so it’s important to stay on top of the latest trends. In 2021, these trends will dominate the sector, but we can expect them to continue driving the industry forward in the years to come, as well.