Mission to Seafarers Port Kembla

Sea Sunday in Wollongong!!
We appreciate everyone who made time to join us today in prayer, reflection and acknowledgement for seafarers and their families.

Nick Rheinberger from has been a longtime supporter of Mission to Seafarers and we consider him to be one of the many empathetic individuals in the Illawarra who strongly advocates for seafarers’ welfare. Thank you Nick, for your visit yesterday! And thank you for the radio interview that went on air this morning!

NSW Ports 2024 Community Grants Program

Christmas Care Packages delivered to some delighted crew of courteously of Unanderra Catholic Women's League. We value and express our many thanks to CWL Unanderra for their compassion and for the many hours and financial resources spent over a period of time prepareing for today's special delivery.

PORT COMMUNITY of Port Kembla 2023 Chrisrtmas breakfast at .
Many thanks to for organising! Great turnout!
Thank you everyone in Port Kembla for being brilliant advocates for seafarers' welfare these past 12 months! We wish you and your loved ones a wonderful Christmas - and many blessings for 2024.

READ: After International Stress Awareness Week, Miko Legaspi, founder of MPowered Life Coaching, reveals the 5 pillars of the TERMS framework to support seafarers. From managing information overload to fostering interpersonal connections, these interventions are steering the course towards a brighter, less stressful future for our maritime heroes. 🌊🚢

AMWS Chairman inducted into the Australian Maritime Hall of Fame. DCN ASMI Awards. 16th November 2016
Mr. David Parmeter, the Chairman of the Australian Mariners Welfare Society (AMWS), has been honored with induction into the esteemed Australian Maritime Hall of Fame. This recognition was announced at the DCN 2023 Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards, held in Sydney on the 16th of November.
​Over the decades, David has played a pivotal role in shaping Australia's maritime industry. In his current capacity as the Chair of the Australian Mariners Welfare Society, he continues to make a significant contribution to the maritime sector.

🏆 The Australian Maritime Safety Authority has recognised the Community of Port Kembla with the Seafarers Welfare Award.

The award recognises the commitment of an organisation to the mental, physical, and pastoral welfare of seafarers.

John Kewa from Mission to Seafarers Port Kembla accepted the Award on behalf of the Port Community of Port Kembla.

AMSA said the Port Community of Port Kembla stood out among a worthy field of nominees for their proactive and collaborative approach in both organising a successful vaccination program and supporting the crew of the Ruby Princess.

Congratulations to the Port Community of Port Kembla for Winning the Seafarers Welfare Award at the 2023 DCN Australian Shipping & Maritime Industry Awards!! It is fitting to be recognised for the courage & leadership shown consistently by our Port Community in advocating and offering of practical/financial support in advancing the welfare and wellbeing of our seafarers.

Annual Commemoration - National Merchant Navy War Memorial (Canberra).

We all have a responsibility to ensure the greater recognition of the vital role played by the Merchant Navy in WWI & WWII and in the years since.

Thanks to the combined effort of NSW Port Authority, NSW Ports, Squadron Energy, Port Kembla Coal Terminal (PKCT), BlueScope Australia, AAT and the Port Kembla community the Mission to Seafarers Port Kembla has a new bus to pick up international seafarers when they are in port. Thanks to John and the team and the Mission for taking care of these international workers when they visit our shores.

Great way to start a Friday by joining the launch of the new Mission to Seafarers Port Kembla bus 🚌💨

A fantastic effort with so many members of the Port Community donating to the cause, along with the support of the NSW Port Authority, NSW Ports, Squadron Energy, Port Kembla Coal Terminal, BlueScope and AAT.

As Chaplain John Kewa said, the goodwill of Port Kembla is unmeasurable.

Enjoy the new bus John!

OPINION: delivering anonymity on seafarers’ rights - Daily Cargo News Seafarer rights advocate Paul R. MacGillivary discusses how efforts to boost crew welfare have fallen short of their stated goals

MV Delina en route departing Newcastle to Port Kembla. Standing by for Pilot Helicopter transfer.

These 3 early birds, Svetlana, Darfenov & Verdzadze from arrived at the Mission 2 hours before opening; still we had to make exceptions perhaps for their infectious smiles! Yet, whether they are too early or too late seafarers know they can rely on us.

The unique and ever-evolving spirit of ‘Community’, ‘Relationships’ & ‘Collaboration’ among Port Users in Port Kembla has been, for a number of years, the distinguishing characteristic of our Community’s leadership, understanding and commitment in terms of advocacy as well as financial & practical support for seafarers’ welfare. Thanks to for featuring a piece of our many goodwill stories in it’s monthly magazine (April Edition pages 58-59).

Mission to Seafarers Port Kembla updated their info in the about section.

This week we have had the real honour of hosting some 20+ members from the Rotary Club of Corrimal NSW. Rotarians are a dedicated group from all walks of life, committed to making a difference in the local community and internationally. It was great to see them mingle with seafarers, volunteers and chaplains and to learn about the 'life of a seafarer' and what the Mission to Seafarers does to care for them. The highlight of their visit was that few Rotarians have indicated they might volunteer at the Mission. Great stuff!

We gathered this morning for the 58th Annual Commemoration (Merchant Navy Memorial & Columbarium) @ Merchant Navy Memorial Rose Garden, Rookwood NSW. A perfect day to pause to remember and honour those members of the Merchant Navy, the Royal Australian Navy and Allied Navies who have paid the ultimate sacrifice while carrying out their duties at sea. Lest we Forget!

A big Friday to all of our friends and colleagues across the Port Kembla precinct who rolled up their sleeves to join NSW Ports for our annual Business Clean Up Australia Day.
We managed to spruce up multiple areas around the port - from the public boat ramp near the Maritime Centre and Heritage Park to MM Beach, Hill 60 and the major thoroughfares entering the precinct.
It’s great to come together as a port community, help protect and maintain our local and give back to our as well. Huge thanks to everyone involved! 👍👏
BlueScope Australia Squadron Energy

After more than five months at sea, the crew of this abandoned livestock carrier can finally go home The crew of the Yangtze Fortune has been stranded at sea for more than five months after being abandoned by the ship's owner. But now, they're finally preparing to go home.

Today has been a great day; many happy & relaxed seafarers; perhaps the biggest turn out for this month!

Thank you for your visit Sue Dight (MtS Regional Director) and Ian Ackerman (DCN Daily Cargo News). We hope you both enjoyed the hospitality from the Port Kembla Port Community as well as crew onboard the MV Orsola Bottiglieri. Looking forward to seeing you some other time and thanks again!

NOTICE: Annual General Meeting 2023

Yangtze Fortune sale falls through. 16 mariners remain stuck on board. Portland, DCN 3rd March 2023
The livestock carrier Yangtze Fortune was ordered to be sold by Justice Angus Stewart on January 11. The highest bid of $8.5m fell through, leading to a rush to secure a sale to the second-highest bidder, who was contacted on February 14 and given a deadline of February 24. This deadline has subsequently been extended to 10th March.
It is hoped that the sale will be concluded at that time as 16 mariners remain stuck on board and the vessel is currently uninsured and has no P&I cover in place.
The ITF, MTS Portland, and the local community continue to assist the crew.