This Saturday South Africa, along with countries throughout the world, will celebrate World Ocean Day. Irrespective of whether the country is landlocked, such as Swaziland, Lesotho and hundreds of others throughout the world, the oceans play an integral part of our daily living, covering 70% of the earth’s surface.

Thousands of ships ply their trade on the oceans of the world, taking goods to distant lands – in fact more than 95% of goods which are traded between countries are transported by sea. Yachts and pleasure liners take passengers on luxury holidays and so the oceans provide a living to 1.2 million seafarer's and thousands of fishermen throughout the world, with the annual global fish catch estimated at 80 million tons.

The oceans are a vital source of food, employment and enjoyment. The High Seas, areas of the ocean beyond national jurisdiction, cover almost 50 percent of the Earth’s surface. They are the least protected part of the world, and in many instances, so are those who work on them.

The International Sailors’ Society of Southern Africa (ISSSA)

The International Sailors’ Society of Southern Africa (ISSSA), is based in Durban and is a faith based Not for Gain association which owes its origins to Marie Schultz, the wife of Durban’s first doctor. Marie distributed books and tobacco amongst seafarer's, caring for shipwrecked mariners in the port 135 years ago.

As the demand grew, Marie gathered a group of volunteers to assist, and the Sailors’ Society was formed. Wars and other tumultuous situations occurred over the years, further forming the Society into what it is today, and at the heart of the organisation the purpose remains the same as it was 135 years ago – to provide a service for those in our ports.

While many may think that in modern day times those at sea are safe, the ever growing piracy threat on the coast of Africa has resulted in many tragedies. Along with this seafarers and their families suffer when Companies run in to financial difficulties and fail to pay wages for extended periods.

Sometimes crews are abandoned by bankrupt owners and the sailors find themselves alone in a foreign country, often unable to speak the language, and in a precarious financial situation with no lodgings for weeks while they wait for their employers to arrange for them to return to their homes.

More than 280 000 Seafarers Visit South Africa Annually

With more than 280 000 seafarers visiting South African ports annually, the services of the Sailors Society are in greater demand than ever before – the three main reasons for this growing need are:

• The pressures of globalisation on the shipping industry and the employment of multi-national crews which result in language difficulties;

• ships sailing under flags of convenience and situations where safety standards may be compromised causes untold misery to crews;

• Long periods of separation from home when the seafarer is faced with loneliness feelings of isolation along with physical and mental stress , natural dangers and disasters at sea and illness are traumatic

The Sailors’ Society of South Africa provides safe harbour for these sailors – providing a support center irrespective of nationality, gender, culture or faith at all South African ports, taking care of the comforts and needs of seafarers. Chaplains and Port missionaries are specially trained for this unique ministry and provide a holistic service for the seafarers at NO cost to them or their employers.

Highly regarded amongst seafarers, shipping companies and the maritime industry for its integrity and reliability, the ISSSA provides those in need with a warm welcome, the opportunity to contact home and speak with their loved ones, foreign exchange, toiletries and other necessities, an environment which is both safe and relaxed onshore, sports and recreation, counselling and regular church services.

The ISSSA is entirely dependent on donations from both the public and corporates in South Africa to fund their existence, to ensure that they are able to continue their work amongst the hundreds of seafarers that call and are sometimes stranded on South Africa’s coastline every year, and encourages people to donate both their time and their money to support the work of the Society.

For more information, log on to their website http://saiss.co.za/ .