60 | Dublin Port Yearbook 2021
Dublin Port Company Caring for Seafarers Dublin Port Company distributed 500 care packs to seafarers in 2020 as a way to thank them for their service during the Covid-19 pandemic. Mid-2020 saw Dublin Port Company begin to deliver the first of 500 care packs to international seafarers as a thank you for their frontline service during the coronavirus crisis.
The first care packs were given to the crew members of the Victorine, which docked in Dublin Port in June, having completed a voyage between Rotterdam and Dublin as part of a service operated by CLdN.
Due to the pandemic, many members of ships’ crews had lengthy enforced extensions to their time onboard cargo vessels. Crews can typically spend up to six months at sea at a time, away from family and home.
Dublin Port Seafarers’ Centre The remaining 200 care packs were held by the Dublin Port Seafarers’ Centre and given to the sailors who availed of its services during the summer and autumn.
300 care packs were distributed amongst the crews of more than 27 individual vessels which arrived into Dublin Port. The packs contained essential toiletries, including disposable razors, soap, deodorant, toothbrushes, toothpaste, hand cream, hand soap, lip balm and a nail brush.
The Seafarers’ Centre was opened in 2016 following a €500,000 investment from Dublin Port Company as a vital resource for ships’ crews. It provides amenities such as access to free Wi-Fi, a vital commodity so that seafarers can easily contact family and loved ones while ashore. The Centre supports over 7,500 visiting seafarers a year,
Pictured delivering the care packs to seafarers are Rose Kearney, Manager of the Seafarers’ Centre (left); Harbour Master, Michael McKenna (in car), and Reverend William Black, Port Chaplin from the Mission to Seafarers (right).
