Digital download Christmas service for seafarers

Digital download Christmas service for seafarers
Marcus Hand | Dec 23, 2021 https://www.seatrade-maritime.com/ship-operations/digital-download-chris...

The Isle of Man Ship Registry (IOMSR) has joined forces with the Dutch Seafarers’ Mission Association -Nederlandse Zeevarenden Centrale (NZC) - to make a special Christmas service available as a digital download for ship’s crew over the festive period.

IOMSR director Cameron Mitchell said the Christmas celebration is available now on its Crew Matters seafarer welfare app, having being recorded at the St Nicolas Church in Monnickendam in the Netherlands by the Dutch Seafarers’ Mission Association, which is a member of the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA).

“With around 400,000 seafarers coming from the Philippines we recognise how important their faith is to them, as well as Christian seafarers of other nationalities,” said Mitchell. “So when ICMA and the seafarer charity Stella Maris approached us to broadcast the service on our app we thought it was a brilliant idea.

“Christmas. We hope this mass provides some spiritual comfort when so many seafarers are away from home and loved ones.”

Jason Zuidema, ICMA General Secretary, welcomed the initiative, “Seafarers cannot attend Christmas celebrations at home with family and friends, so it is great we can help bring the celebration to them.”