The Auckland International Seafarers Centre
The Auckland International Seafarers Centre (often known as the "seamen's club" or 'Seamens' Mission') is one of nearly a thousand such clubs around the world.
The Centre is part of a large organisation called the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA). Its reason for existing is very simple, it is "TO CARE FOR SEAFARERS AROUND THE WORLD". In our case, those who come into the port of Auckland.
The Centre is a partnership involving the International Sailors Society Auckland (Inc), a non-denominational organisation formerly called the British Sailors Society, the Missions to Seafarers (Anglican) and Apostleship of the Sea (Roman Catholic).
The Centre, situated at 114 Quay Street Auckland (opposite Marsden Wharf),offers facilities for the spiritual welfare in the form of chaplaincy, eucharist and christian literature as well as a chapel in which various services are held. The Centre is also a club, open to seafarers of any nationality, religion, colour or creed. In the club, seafarers can come into a safe environment, and relax away from the day to day life aboard ship. They can make telephone calls, buy items from the shop, buy drinks (beer and soft drinks) with tea and coffee and water provided gratis. Prices are kept as low as the Centre can make them, the aim being not to make a profit but to cover costs.
If needed the Centre offers advocacy services in cases of wage disputes, matters of safety and hygiene aboard ships, and seafarers rights generally. The Centre has a Manager and a chaplaincy team drawn from the partner societies and the church of St James (Presbyterian). The ISS provides a part-time chaplain to this team. All other workers are VOLUNTEERS ... and we need many more!
Who can become a Volunteer, and what do they do??
The main quality is that a volunteer must have a concern for people and be honest, reliable, conscientious and committed. Age does not really matter, nor does church affiliation.
The Centre is open from Noon to 3pm weekdays and every night of the year from 6.30pm to 10pm. Our volunteers man the Centre during the evenings. They may chose to work one evening per week or once per fortnight. Parking is available close by, as is the bus station and copious supplies of tea and coffee are available.Volunteers are required to work in the areas of telephone operation and serve in the shop. Both operate computerised systems ... but full training and supervision are provided.The work as a Volunteer is very satisfying and you may never be able to let it go!If you are interested in becoming a Volunteer please telephone Sharron or Mervyn at the Centre (09 373 4352).
IF YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE WHO MIGHT LIKE TO VOLUNTEER, PLEASE PASS THEM A COPY OF THIS NOTICE, AND/OR PLEASE HAVE IT PRINTED IN YOUR CHURCH NEWSLETTER
Other ISS clubs in NZ also need volunteers. Click here for details of a club near you
THE TASK
Rev Bill Law, formerly chaplain to the Mission to Seafarers in Auckland and Board member of the Auckland International Seafarers' Centre in which the ISS Auckland is a partner (with the Missions to Seafarers and the Apostleship of the Sea), wrote:
"Everything that we do, we do with one objective in our minds and hearts. That is, to care for the seafarers who come into Auckland. We get many nationalities with many different religions and creeds coming through our Club. I am often asked how we cope with this and with those who are not 'Christians'. My answer is always the same. It does not matter what race, colour, creed or nationality a seafarer is, they are all welcome in our Centre and will in no way be called upon to justify their presence here.
We care for all with 'no strings attached'.
• How we care is by providing a Club for seafarers to come to which is clean, warm, attractive and 'homely'.
• We supply goods at a reasonable price to make their lives more comfortable.
• We provide the means whereby seafarers are able to make contact with their families and loved-ones all over the world.
• We provide the means for the seafarers to enjoy themselves and have recreation away from their ship and working environment.
• We 'stand by' with advice on all sorts of problems, both social and justice, with the firm belief that because we care for the seafarers, we care also about what affects their lives, family, safety, work conditions etc.
Our work continually relies heavily on being able to call upon volunteers help. It relies on those volunteers doing the tasks that need to be done. They are doing this very, very well."
The Sailors Society in Auckland is proud to be a partner in the work of the Auckland International Seafarers' Centre.
For more details please contact David Millar
(09 827 6554)
(email missioner@iss.org.nz )
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