Port Santa delivers the true meaning of Christmas

12/6/2010 10:20 AM EST

Most of us take for granted that we’ll be spending Christmas with our family and friends, and are already getting wrapped up in the logistics of managing to spend time with so many different people over the holiday period. Anyone who has ever rolled their eyes at the prospect of visiting Auntie Maud on Christmas morning or got frustrated at trying to cram numerous members of their extended family around a single table should spare a thought for the world’s 1.2 million seafarers who often spend their Christmas far from home and their loved ones. Global charity Sailors’ Society works tirelessly with their network of Port Chaplains across the world to ease the isolation and ensure that seafarers do not feel forgotten, even when they are far from home.
Captain Jim Knight of the Kommandor Subsea says:
“Christmas at sea is a normal working day, albeit with an extra large lunch to keep us going! We do decorate the ship and acknowledge the season, but we still need to keep watch and so there’s no chance of a small Christmas brandy or any of the usual over-indulgence we’re used to at home. If we’re fortunate enough to be in port we’re likely to get a welcome visit from one of the Sailors’ Society Port Chaplains, who will take time to speak to the crew and deliver Christmas presents which the charity’s supporters from all over the world have supplied.”
Again while most of us at home try to think of how fast we can get rid of the strange and itchy Christmas-patterned jumper from Grandma, the seafarers delight in the fact that their parcel will contain one of thousands of hand-made woolly hats from the Sailors’ Society supporters.
One seafarer says:
“Our highlight of the day is the opening of the parcel left by the Port Chaplain given to the captain prior to sailing. Inside the parcel, amongst other things, is a hand knitted woolly hat, it is so practical because we really need them at sea when the temperature drops. Great hilarity usually ensues and swapping of hats to get the “right colours” and then it is back to the normal routine of watches.B Because the hats are hand-made, you really feel that someone has taken the time to remember you and cares; however, this does leave you feeling sad as you remember your partner and children at home, also trying to make the most of their Christmas with just one parent present.”
Howard Drysdale is the Port Chaplain in Aberdeen, and has been delivering Christmas parcels to ships for nine years.
“. “There are more than 100 emergency rescue and response vessels working in the North Sea. I try to ensure that each crew member gets a small Christmas gift before they sail in December.Why? Imagine spending six months each year away from family and friends and then include Christmas Day as well. This is the reality for many seafarers with feelings of isolation being further amplified at this festive time.Visiting the ship on Christmas Day can be great fun, bringing a bit of cheer to the crew who eagerly receive their Christmas gifts our supporters have helped us put together. . These seafarers are the people who make sure we have the gifts under our tree and the food on our table, and so it feels only right that we offer a little something to the hard working seafarers who sacrifice so much to enable us to enjoy Christmas at home.”


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