Waves #1 February 2020

#1 NEWS FROM THE DANISH MISSION TO SEAFARERS

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7. årgang Februar 2020

Loneliness

Young seafarer

Ensomhed

Ung sømand

Going ashore

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Gik i land

WAVES No. 1. February 2020. Vol. 7.

Nr. 1. Februar 2020. 7. årgang Published by / Udgives af: The Danish Mission to Seafares Indenlandsk Sømandsmission Executive Editor / Ansvh. redaktør: General secretary / Generalsekretær Nicolaj Wibe

• Finn Løvlund Phone 0045 - 2073 3806. fl@somandsmissionen.dk Havne/harbors: Esbjerg, Hvide Sande • Simon S. Ambrosen, Marstal.

Phone 0045 - 2982 2771. ssa@somandsmissionen.dk

• Leif Rasmussen Phone 0045 - 2029 3738. lr@somandsmissionen.dk Havne/harbors: Frederikshavn Skagen-Hirtshals • Paul Høeg, Fyn Phone 0045 - 2296 3950 ph@somandsmissionen.dk

Print run / Oplag: 3500 Waves is printed on eco-friendly paper.

Waves er trykt på miljøvenligt papir.

• Jørgen Bech Knudsen Phone 0045 - 2865 5277.

• Per Jerup, Aalborg og Limfjorden jbk@somandsmissionen.dk phone 0045 - 6113 5383 Havne/harbors: Aarhus, Fredericia, Randers, pj@somandsmissionen.dk Kolding, Vejle, Horsens.

• Jørgen Erik Larsen, Sorø Phone 0045 - 2343 0568. jel@somandsmissionen.dk

Yearly subscription / Årsabonnement: 200 Dkr.

DANMARK

Editor / Redaktør og journalist: Hanne Baltzer, tlf. 0045 -51815329 Mail: hab@somandsmissionen.dk

Layout and print / Layout og tryk: Jørn Thomsen Elbo A/S Cover / Forside: Research shows that many seafarers feel lonely on board.

Mange føler sig ensomme ombord, viser undersøgelser.

Indenlandsk Sømandsmission Havnepladsen 1, 7100 Vejle Tlf. 0045 – 3393 2543 Telefonerne er åbne mandag - fredag/ Phones open from monday - friday: 9.30-15.00. info@somandsmissionen.dk www.somandsmissionen.dk Facebook: Indenlandsk Sømandsmission Sømandsmissionens gavekonto: Giro 8003300 Bank 9541 8003300 Use MobilePay: 558555 Brug mobilepay: 558555

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SØMANDSMISSIONÆRER/ SEAMEN’S MISSIONARIE

Hotel Bethel Sømandshjem Nyhavn 22, 1051 København K phone: 0045 - 3313 0370 Mail: info@hotel-bethel.dk www.hotel-bethel.dk Hotel Frederikshavn Sømandshjem Tordenskjoldsgade 15 B 9900 Frederikshavn phone: 0045 - 9842 0977 Mail: info@fshotel.dk www.fshotel.dk KOMPAS Hotel Aalborg Østerbro 27, 9000 Aalborg phone: 0045 - 9812 1900 Mail: info@hotel-aalborg.com www.hotel-aalborg.com

Sømandscafeen Bredgade 5, 6960 Hvide Sande Feriehjemmet Aggershøj Møllevejen 50 5960 Marstal phone: 0045 - 2982 2771 Mail: ssa@somandsmissionen.dk International Seamen´s Club Polensgade 3, 8000 Århus C phone: 0045 - 8612 1599 Mail: seamensclub.aarhus@mail.dk www.seamensclubaarhus.dk Sømandsmissionen i Kalundborg The Seamen’s Mission in Kalundborg Editha og Jens Chr. Seeberg phone: 0045 - 5950 1332

GRØNLAND Sømandshjemmet Nuuk Marinevej 3, 3900 Nuuk phone: 00 299 32 10 29 Mail: nuuk@soemandshjem.gl www.soemandshjem.gl

Sømandshjemmet Aasiaat Sammiarneq 9, 3950 Aasiaat phone: 00 299 89 27 11 Mail: aasiaat@soemandshjem.gl www.soemandshjem.gl

Sømandshjemmet Sisimiut Frederik IX´s Plads 5, 3911 Sisimiut phone: 00 299 86 41 50 Mail: sisimiut@soemandshjem.gl www.soemandshjem.gl

Hotel Avannaa Nuussuattaap Aqq. 2, Ilulissat 3952 Phone: 00 299 944002 Mail: manager@hotelavannaa.com

How about some fitness?

Hvad med fitness?

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eamen’s missionary Leif Rasmussen is passionate about improving the working conditions for all seafarers, and sometimes he is struck by a bright idea. When he heard that a sand pump and a larger tanker would reside outside Skagen until April, and that the crews could use some recreation during their off-time, he called SEAHEALTH & WELFARE and convinced them to sponsor memberships for the local fitness centre and the public swimming pool.

“Now the crew members call me and say “How about some fitness?”. Then I come and pick them up. Daniel Bantog Albarez (see photo), who works on board the tanker, is very thankful and really appreciates the opportunity. It makes me truly happy,” says Leif. •

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ømandsmissionær Leif Rasmussen får af og til en god idé, fordi han er optaget af at møde sømændenes behov på forskellig vis! Da han hørte, at en sandsuger og et stort tankskib skulle ligge i Skagen indtil 1. april, og at besætningerne kunne bruge adspredelse i ventetiden, ringede han til SEAHEALTH & WELFARE og fik dem til at sponsorere medlemskort til fitness og svømmehal. ”Nu ringer sømændene til mig og siger ”What about fitness?”. Så henter jeg dem.

Daniel Bantog Albarez fra tankskibet (på det store foto) er så taknemlig og synes, det er så godt. Det er lige til at blive glad af,” fortæller Leif. •

Feeling alone Research shows that seafarers all over the world often feel lonely because there is no time to nourish the fellowship on board while sailing. A sense of isolation, a growing pressure, and a lack of support from the shipping companies are all factors that affect a seafarer’s job satisfaction. When our social needs are not met, it often results in a feeling of loneliness. We feel alone, and it seems pointless to reach out in order to change things.

Waves has spoken to a researcher and several seafarers about how to best approach these challenges. •

Ene Undersøgelser viser, at sømænd verden over ofte føler sig ensomme, fordi de oplever, at der ikke er tid og rum til at dyrke kollegafællesskabet.

En følelse af isolation, øget arbejdspres og manglende forståelse fra kontoret i land er faktorer, som påvirker arbejdsglæden. Følelsen af ensomhed kan opstå, når vi ikke oplever vores behov for social kontakt eller sociale relationer opfyldt. Vi føler, at vi kommer til at stå alene med noget, hvor det ikke nytter at række ud eller åbne sig.

Waves har talt med en forsker og flere sømænd om, hvordan man kan forholde sig og takle udfordringerne. •

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By Hanne Baltzer / Af Hanne Baltzer

Seafarers often feel isolated Søfolk kan føle sig isolerede

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xperiencing loneliness is a fundamental premise in human life. When we feel lonely it is a warning signal that tells us that our social needs aren’t fulfilled. At sea, this feeling often arises when the social life of the crew is challenged, or when specific individuals destroy the social environment, forcing others to withdraw into isolation.

These observations are made by Connie S. Gehrt, who works for the company CONOVAH, and who has interviewed several Danish seafarers in order to investigate the conditions that lead to loneliness at sea.

“I’ve focused on making qualitative interviews with a range of Danish seafarers in order to hear whether or not they feel lonely on board, and, as importantly, in which situations they do not feel lonely. In general, most of them are happy with their profession, but there are still various social barriers to overcome. Often, the social life on board receives low priority due to a busy work schedule. Spending time with your colleagues and getting to know them demands an active choice, and creating a strong community on board takes hard work - just like all other friendships.”

Several reasons If you ignore the warning signs and accept the loneliness for longer periods of time, you put your well-being at risk. This goes for everyone on board, even the captain.

Small crews, changing colleagues, and a distanced leadership on shore are some of the reasons mentioned in the interviews.

“Making sure that everyone thrives at work is a shared responsibility. Therefore, it is never good enough to just say that it is up to the individual to ensure his or her own well-being. This being said, the individual can of course make a positive impact by, for instance, being sensitive to the needs of the other crew members and by asking for help and feedback in challenging situations,” says Connie.

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Reach out Connie Gehrt points out that it is always easier to reach out to those we already know well. If we know each other well we are also more inclined to notice when others are not thriving. A general rule is that something is wrong when people suddenly change their behavior. This can be difficult to notice if you haven’t worked together for very long, and if you don’t really speak to your colleagues and prefer spending your off-time alone. This is a challenge: “Relationships prevent loneliness.

Therefore, it is important to persistently address the issue when a colleague seems unhappy. Ask him or her what is wrong, and show them that you want to listen.”

Some important factors These five factors are useful guidelines if you want to avoid loneliness on board:

1. The Captain’s role A visible leadership where the captain maintains a good contact with his subordinates is crucial. The captain should never avoid conflicts but be ready to enter into dialogue about the work environment on board. In addition, the captain must take responsibility for the social life and activities on board.

2. The Shipping company The shipping company is often in a position to help when the social life on board is challenged, but often the companies act too slow. Also, the companies should always give their employees exact information about when they can expect to return home.

3. A caring co-worker Being a good co-worker is essential. Invite new crew members into the community, speak to each other in a decent manner and be thoughtful. Small gestures often make a huge difference.

4. Be creative and supportive Come up with suggestions and initiatives and support the initiatives that others take. Many seafarers say that they try to take initiatives, but that they get frustrated when no one supports them or follows their example.

Use the common areas and leave your door open. Some also use the gym together. Even if you are not talking, you can still share an activity and create a visible, social relationship.

5. Know each other better More and more seafarers work alone. In the galley, the food is eaten quickly before going back to the cabin to watch a movie, talk to the family or go to sleep before the next shift. Despite the long periods of off-time, we often only establish a few relationships. When using our phones in the common areas we signal a need to be alone, but too often the phone becomes a barrier that keeps us from spending time with the people around us. •

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ølelsen af ensomhed er en del af menneskets grundlæggende overlevelses-kit.

Føler vi os ensomme, er det et signal til os om, at vi ikke får dækket vores sociale behov. For søfolk kan den følelse opstå på en tur, hvor noget fx ikke fungerer, eller der kan være enkelt personer, der forpester det sociale miljø, så man vælger at trække sig fra dem.

Det fortæller Connie S. Gehrt fra firmaet CONOVAH, som har interviewet danske søfolk for at afdække, hvilke forhold, der kan skabe en følelse af ensomhed. ”Mit fokus har været kvalitative interviews med en række danske sømænd for at høre dem, om de føler sig ensomme og ikke mindst i hvilke situationer ombord, de ikke føler sig ensomme. Heldigvis er rigtig mange

“Making sure that everyone thrives at work is a shared responsibility. Therefore, it is never good enough to just say that it is up to the individual to ensure his or her own well-being,” says Connie S. Gehrt who works for the organization CONOVAH. Connie has a master in organizational psychology and has done research on the wellbeing of Danis ”Det er et fælles ansvar at være med til at sikre, at alle trives på arbejdspladsen. Det er for let at sige, at det må den enkelte tage sig af. At det er et individuelt ansvar at banke på til fællesskabet ombord,” siger Connie S. Gehrt fra firmaet CONOVAH. Hun har bl.a. en master i organisationers psykologi og har også forsket i, hvordan danske søfolk trives på jobbet.

glade for at sejle, men der er barrierer ombord. Det er ofte den sociale tid, som bliver taberen i en travl dagligdag, fordi det kræver en aktiv prioritering at ville være tilstede sammen med de andre. Lære dem nærmere at kende. Opbygge relationer osv. Et godt fællesskab starter ikke sig selv! Det skal man pleje hen ad vejen ligesom vennerne.”

Flere årsager Hvis man overhører signaler og føler sig ensom i længere perioder, så er der virkelig en risiko for at mistrives. Det kan være alle ombord – også kaptajnen.

De mindre besætninger, de skiftende kolleger, en afstand til ledelsen i land er årsager, søfolkene peger på. ”Det er et fælles ansvar at være med til at sikre, at alle trives på arbejdspladsen. Derfor er det også for let at sige, at det må den enkelte tage sig af. At det er et stort individuelt ansvar at banke på til fællesskabet, selv om man selvfølgelig kan gøre noget selv som fx at tænke på, om man skal tage noget med ud til de andre næste gang eller huske at bede om feedback i situationer, man står lidt uklar overfor,” uddyber hun.

Ræk ud Connie Gehrt peger på, at det er meget nemmere at række ud til andre, som man i forvejen har en relation til. Hvis man nu kender hinanden rimeligt godt, vil man også opdage, når andre mistrives. Generelt siger man, at

begynder en at ændre markant adfærd, er det typisk tegn på, at noget ikke er ok. Det kan være svært at opdage på et skib, hvis man ikke har sejlet så længe sammen, ikke taler meget med kollegerne og helst vil være på sit kammer. Det er en udfordring: ”Relationer til andre mennesker forebygger ensomhed. Derfor er det også relevant, at man er insisterende og italesætter over for en kollega, der ser ud til at have det skidt: ”Hvad er der galt? Jeg vil gerne lytte.”

Dette betyder meget Især fem faktorer har betydning for, hvorvidt danske søfolk føler sig ensomme:

1. Kaptajnens rolle En synlig ledelse, hvor kaptajnen har en god kontakt med medarbejderne er væsentlig. Ligeledes at kaptajnen ikke er konfliktsky, men parat til dialog om, hvordan det fx er at arbejde ombord på netop dette skib. Desuden skal kaptajen også tage ansvar for det sociale aktivitetsniveau.

2. Rederiet Fra rederiet ved man ofte, hvor skoen kan trykke ombord, hvis der er meldinger om mistrivsel eller lign., men rederiet kan være lang tid om at gribe ind på rette vis.

Noget af det værste er også, hvis man ikke kan regne med, hvornår man skal hjem. At datoen ikke holder.

3. En god kollega Det betyder noget, at man er en god kollega, at man byder nye velkommen i fællesskabet, taler ordentligt til hinanden og er betænksom. Ofte kan små ting gøre en kæmpe forskel for en anden.

4. Vær opfindsom og bak op Tag initiativer til aktiviteter og bak op om det, andre foreslår. Fra flere ledere lyder det, at de foreslår en del, men ingen gider bakke op.

Kom mere ud i fællesarealerne, eller lad din dør stå åben til kammeret. Nogle træner fx sammen. Selvom man har musik i ørerne, kan man være sammen om en aktivitet og på den måde have en tilgængelig synlig social kontakt.

5. Kend hinanden bedre Flere arbejder alene ombord. I kabyssen spises maden hurtigt, inden man vil på sit kammer og se en film, skype med familien og sove, før næste vagt indfinder sig. I den meget alenetid opbygger man få relationer til kollegerne. Som i land signalerer brug af mobiltelefonen både et behov for alenetid, men samtidig er det en hindring for at være sammen med dem, der er ombord lige nu. •

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By Hanne Baltzer / Af Hanne Baltzer

My first experiences at sea Mine første erfaringer til søs 26-year-old Jesper Svane Bach is in the process of becoming a marine engineer. Waves met up with him after he completed his second internship.

26-årige Jesper Svane Bach er i lære som maskinmester.

Waves mødte Jesper, da han var hjemme et smut efter den første praktik

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ver the last 96 days, Jesper Svane Bach has completed his second internship at Maersk. He already learned a lot during his first internship, which he spent on board the 350 meters long containership, Maersk Salalah. The ship sailed between Singapore, India, Sri Lanka, Malaysia, and sometimes China and South Korea. Although he left the ship now and then, he spent most of his time in the engine room, because a long range of tasks could only be completed when the ship was in port.

His second internship on board Vistula Maersk, which sails between Rotterdam and Sct. Petersborg, has also given Jesper a lot of useful experience, and he has now had hands-on experience with all the theory that he learned before he left shore. Being a certified marine engineer opens a lot of doors, both at sea and on shore. Now, Jesper will soon return to the school desk for more studies.

“Working on board Salalah was extremely exciting because it was all learning by doing.

I constantly asked questions. It could be difficult to hear the answers due to the noise from the engine, and because we were wearing ear protectors, but then I would just ask again later. We were told that there were no stupid questions,” says Jesper.

When theory meets reality Denmark might be the only country where you get to go out and get experience before learning all the theory. The core of the education is the craft’s apprenticeship, and there are both positive and negative sides to this model. A positive thing is that you quickly discover whether the job is right for you. Salalah had a three-storied engine room with plenty of stairs to keep you fit:

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“The best thing is, that there is so much to learn. We have to be able to fix every problem imaginable. The job is very varied and diverse and requires a very broad skill set.

You also need to come up with creative solutions - something that can keep the ship going until a specialist can come on board and fix it,” says Jesper. He is reminded of the time where they had to check the centrifuges that clean the ship’s fuel and oil: “That was really interesting. The ship has three centrifuges for fuel and three for oil. Seeing a centrifuge in real life is a completely different experience than just learning about it in theory. I got to work on it with my own hands and fix it at a crucial moment. Not to mention our 12-cylinder engine. It is enormous.

Each cylinder measures a meter in diameter.”

A real responsibility Despite being a young Cadet, Jesper was allowed to do a lot of real work on board everything from scheduled maintenance to unforeseen repairs. Sometimes he would work long shifts - for instance it takes fourteen hours to replace a plunger: “Working in the engine room is a lot of fun, even though it gets really hot, especially if it is 45 °C outside. The heat was probably the biggest surprise when I first started my apprenticeship.

In Korea, I got to leave the ship for a bit, but we are mostly busy when the ship is in port.

At night, the engine is surveilled by alarms.”

The young seafarer finds it challenging that a marine engineer must be able to fix all kinds of problems in order to live up to the title, and he likes it. There is a lot to learn.

Although three months is a long time to be away from home, Jesper is already used to it from his time as a soldier in Iraq. Here, he

Jesper Svane Bach loves working below deck. / Jesper Svane Bach synes, det er fedt at arbejde under dæk.

was also part of a small, isolated community for longer periods of time.

Manpower and possibilities The crew members on board Salalah were from the Philippines, India, Romania, Poland, Thailand, China, South Africa and Denmark.

“Of course it is difficult to follow the conversation when people speak in their native languages, but mostly we’d all speak together as one group. We would all eat around the same table, so I don’t think we were divided, although we had our regular seats. There was a lot of social life on board, and we would often watch movies or play table tennis or cricket. We also had a gym on board, and an improved WiFi connection which made it easy to go online.”

When Jesper completes his training, he will be 29 years old. But first he must spend the next three years studying before concluding his education with a final internship. •

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fter de seneste 96 dage er Jesper Svane Bach færdig med sin anden praktik som maskinmester hos Maersk. På det første containerskib - 350 m lange Maersk Salalah - lærte han en masse. Det sejlede Singapore, Indien, Sri Lanka, Malaysia og af og til Kina og Sydkorea. Han har da været i land, men meget af tiden er gået i maskinen, fordi der naturligt nok er en del at se til der, når skibet ikke sejler.

Det andet skib, Vistula Maersk, der sejler mellem Rotterdam og Sct. Petersborg, har han også gode oplevelser med fra. Uddannelsesbogens sider med teoretiske emner, han gerne skulle omkring i praktikken, kan han nu vinke af.

Maskinmesteruddannelsen er da også meget bred og kan bruges både til søs og i land. Nu venter nogle år på skolebænken. ”På Salalah var det sindssygt spændende, fordi det var meget learning by doing. Så jeg stillede masser af spørgsmål til dem, som jeg samarbejdede med. Det kunne være lidt svært at høre svarene, fordi det larmede, og

vi havde hørebøffer på, men så spurgte vi bare senere. Vi havde fået at vide, at der ikke er nogen dumme spørgsmål,” fortæller Jesper.

Praksis kobles med viden Danmark er måske det eneste land med den praksis, at man ikke lærer meget teori, før man skal ud at sejle. Så det er en slags mesterlære, og det har naturligt nok både fordele og ulemper. På den måde finder man så også ud af, om uddannelsen/ jobbet er noget for en. Om man gider det. På Salalah var der maskinrum i tre etager med masser af trapper at motionere på: ”Det bedste er, at der er så meget forskelligt at lære, for vi skal jo kunne lave alt ombord. Det er meget varieret. Vi skal kunne fixe det, og det betyder, at vi lærer noget all round. Ja, også at tænke ud af boksen som fagperson. At komme op med en smart løsning, indtil der fx kommer en specialist ombord,” forklarer Jesper. Han kommer i > tanke om dengang, de skulle tjekke centri-

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fugerne, der renser brændstof og smøreolie: ”Det var virkelig interessant. Der er tre centrifuger til brændstof og tre til smøreolie. At have set en centrifuge i virkeligheden er bare noget helt andet end at læse om det i en bog.

Jeg har selv haft den i hænderne og fikset den, da det virkelig var nødvendigt. Eller bare vores 12 cylinder motor. Den er virkelig mega. En cylinder var en meter i diameter.”

Får lov til meget Som ung kadet synes Jesper, han har fået lov til meget både af det planlagte vedligehold, og når andet skal ordnes. Nogle gange er han i gang i mange timer. Fx ved han, at det tager 14 timer at skifte et stempel i en motor: ”Det er fedt at gå dernede i maskinen og skrue, selv om det kan være smadder varmt. Det

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var nok det, der overraskede mig mest, da jeg kom i praktik. I Sydkorea så jeg lidt af omgivelserne, men ellers er det jo typisk, når skibet ligger stille, at vi arbejder. Om natten er der alarmer på maskinen.”

Den unge sømand ser en udfordring i, at man på søen skal kunne fixe, hvad som helst, hvis man vil udfylde sin uniform som maskinmester. Det er meget at lære. Han synes, tre måneder er længe at være væk fra Danmark, men han er vant til det fra tidligere, hvor han bl.a. har været udsendt soldat til Irak i 2016 og også indgik i et fællesskab på fuld tid, når han var afsted.

Mandskab og muligheder Mandskabet på Salalah var fra Filippinere, Indien, Rumænien, Polen, Thailand, Sydafrika,

Kina og Danmark. ”Hvis folk taler på deres eget sprog, er det jo svært at følge samtalen, men ellers taler vi da sammen alle sammen.

Vi spiser omkring det samme bord, så jeg synes ikke, det var opdelt, selv om der var faste pladser. Det er meget socialt ombord, og vi så tit film og spillede bordtennis eller kricket. Vi kunne også styrketræne, og internettet er også blevet forbedret, så man nemmere kan gå online.”

Jesper Svane Bach er 29 år, når han er uddannet maskinmester. Om lidt skal han sidde tre år på skolebænken, inden uddannelsen sluttes med en sidste praktik på tre måneder. •

By Hanne Baltzer / Af Hanne Baltzer

Casper found his trade and his faith at sea Casper fik faglighed og kristentro med fra søfartslivet

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-years-old Casper Grønkjær from Denmark clearly recalls the special day in ninth grade, over 20 years ago, when he began his first internship at sea.

His teacher had helped him find a spot on board a rescue vessel operating in the North Sea, and on a cold November morning at the harbor in Hanstholm, Denmark, he signed on. He was on board for a week, and every day the wind was strong. He especially recalls one windy night where he took part in a rescue mission: “It made a huge impression on me. It was amazing to be part of an actual rescue mission.

I knew then that I wanted to work at sea.”

After ninth grade, Casper applied for admission at a Maritime college located on a small, Danish island called Fanø, but without luck.

After that, he had to choose between the maritime colleges in Frederikshavn and Svendborg: “I chose the latter, although I didn’t know any of them. They had one spot left, and I got it. Looking back, I believe it was God’s guidance that brought me there, as the college in Svendborg was where I became a Christian.

Becoming a part of the school was an amazing experience for me. Every morning, we sang a Christian song together, and a teacher shared a word from the Bible. No one ever made fun of it, which made a great impression on me.

The teachers were hard but fair, and everything was done properly. Although I was only 15, I was treated with respect, and I didn’t experience any discrimination.”

A small detour Casper grew up in a small Danish town far from the coast, and when he arrived in

Svendborg he had little experience at sea.

However, he was instantly drawn to the maritime world, and especially the engineering.

In Svendborg, Casper completed a 3-year basic maritime education, which gave him the title of not able-bodied seaman. This took him the first step towards becoming shipmaster.

“I applied for an internship at A.P. Moeller, but I was turned down because I couldn’t predict where my career would be in ten years. They claimed that I wasn’t ambitious enough. Instead, I got a job at a pig farm just outside Svendborg. I was so jealous of those who had been accepted, and I felt like a complete failure.”

After ten months at the farm, Casper really felt the need to go to sea. Therefore, he decided to apply at Marstal School of Navigation, but they demanded more experience.

Instead, he found work on board a palletized ship that sailed between Norway, England, the Netherlands and Denmark. He worked there for about a year.

“I earned the respect of the chief engineer, and that gave me a new direction in my career. I loved working with engines. It was such a thrill!” Afterwards, Casper went back

to A.P. Møller and earned his certificate as shipmaster. After graduating, he sailed for A.P. Møller for two years - a time in his life that led to life-long friendships.

Long voyages - and longings Casper sailed in foreign trade, which meant that he was out for six months and home for six months: “I slowly began to feel lonely.

Even though we were 30 crew members on board we didn’t see each other much due to our highly specialized responsibilities and displaced work-schedules. The night shift was extra rough. When people were off duty, they would mostly go to their cabins, although we had a nice common area. Luckily, we were eight cadets who stuck together. Otherwise, I would have had no social life. Loneliness was a very real threat, and it was demanding to spend so much time alone. On the smaller vessels I had many good conversations with co-workers about faith. For instance, many Filipino crew members liked to talk about faith.

But on the larger ships the loneliness really got to me. Perhaps I would still be sailing today if I had stuck to the smaller ships.

The composition of the crew is always important. If there is a culture on board where >

”

I don’t believe in coincidences! When I look back, I clearly see a read thread running through my past. God has intervened in my life many times.

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Today, Casper Grønkjær works as an industrial electrician at a large district heating station in southern Denmark. It is the job that comes closest life at sea and working in the engine room.

Casper Grønkjær arbejder i dag på Fynsværket i Odense som industrielektriker. Det er det job, der minder ham mest om livet til søs – arbejdet i maskinen.

everyone hides in their cabins, it makes it difficult. It takes more than one person to lift the social responsibility on board.”

On one of the last ships he sailed, Casper did a lot to build a social life for himself on board - a conversation with the shipmaster, or a board game, if he could convince someone to play. But still, he got to a point where all he wanted was to go home.

A work-related injury On Casper’s last trip as an intern, he developed a serious oil allergy, which of course is rather problematic when working with engines at sea. Therefore, at the age of 20, Casper had to reconsider his entire future career: “The shipping company wasn’t willing to help me, and I simply had to put an end to my career at sea. It went back to shore without a goal in life. I took a degree in IT, which was a complete mistake. All I really wanted was to sail, and I longed to go back to sea. Four years later that feeling hadn’t changed, and I had forgotten everything about the loneliness on board.” In Odense he got an apprenticeship as an industrial electrician, and today this is still his profession, as it reminds him a bit of working with engines at sea.

“Now I have three years of training from Svendborg Maritime College, which I still use today. My approach to solving problems is different from my co-workers’. I can mostly handle things myself, and I prefer it that way. At sea, you learn to make do with the limited resources you have, and that lesson is a gift that I still benefit from today.”

No coincidences “I don’t believe in coincidences! When I look back, I clearly see a read thread running through my past. God has intervened in my life many times, and every time it has been a strong experience - especially when he led me to my wife. My faith is personal and private because I see it as a window to the most intimate parts of my person.”

Today, Casper has been married to Else for four years. They have a daughter, and their second child is on its way. He no longer

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longs for a life at sea: “Now we are part of a Bible study group for seafarers”. That is enough for me. I no longer need to sail. Instead, I enjoy my job and having my family and friends close to me - although some of our best friends have just moved to Aasiaat in Greenland to manage the local seamen’s home,” he says with a smile.

However, Casper sometimes misses his colleagues at sea: “Seafarers are some of the most open-minded people I know. All they care about is who you are as a person. There is no prejudice or judgement. They are very open, and I sometimes miss that attitude around here.” •

”

Jeg tror ikke på tilfældigheder! Når jeg kigger tilbage, går der en rød tråd gennem så mange ting. Gud har grebet ind i mit liv mange gange.

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-årige Casper Grønkjær husker 20 år tilbage til den dag, han i 9. klasse kom i erhvervspraktik som sømand. Han fik hjælp af sin lærer og kom som kun 14 år gammel i erhvervspraktik på et redningsskib, som kontrollerede Nordsøen. En meget kold november-morgen stillede han på havnen i Hanstholm. Han var med en uge, og alle dage blæste det en halv pelikan. Jo, han husker stadig det dårlige vejr, da han også var med på en redningsaktion midt om natten: ”Det gjorde et sindssygt indtryk på mig. Det var fantastisk at være med til at redde nogen.

Jeg var ikke i tvivl om, at jeg ville være sømand.”

Casper gik ud af 9. klasse og søgte optagelse på Fanø Søfartsskole, men det var ikke muligt. Så kunne han vælge mellem søfartsskoler i Frederikshavn og Svendborg: ”Jeg valgte den sidste, et skud i tågen. Der var en plads tilbage, og den fik jeg. Her bagefter tænker jeg, at det er Guds uransagelige måde at guide på, for Svendborg Søfartsskole blev min vej ind i troen på Jesus. For mig blev mødet med skolen en fantastisk oplevelse. Det var specielt, at der var morgensang og morgenandagt, og det var påfaldende, at ingen lavede morsomheder undervejs. De fleste sang med. Jeg synes, lærerne var strikse, men retfærdige og ordentlige. Jeg blev behandlet med respekt på lige fod med de ældre skibsassistenter.”

Svin er ikke søfart Da Casper begyndte på søfartsskolen, havde han ingen erfaring med søfart. Han er opvokset i Ikast midt i Jylland med langt til det nærmeste hav. Ikke desto mindre blev han bidt af faget, især når det handlede om maskinen. Han tog hf-søfart, som gav en ubefaren skibsassistent og første modul til dual skibsføreruddannelsen. ”Jeg søgte praktik hos A.P. Møller, men kom ikke ind, fordi jeg ikke kunne vide, hvor jeg var 10 år senere. Så de mente, jeg var for uambitiøs. Så jeg fik job på en svinegård udenfor Svendborg. Jeg var så misundelig på de andre. Følte mig som en stor fiasko.”

Efter 10 måneder med grise savnede han at komme ud at sejle. Han søgte ind på Marstal Navigationsskole, men man skulle

have sejlet for at komme ind. Det lykkedes ham at få hyre på et palleskib i Fredericia et års tid. Det sejlede fast fart mellem Norge, England, Holland og Danmark. ”Jeg fik maskinchefens respekt, og det satte en retning for mig. Jeg elskede at være i maskinen. Det var fantastisk.” Bagefter søgte han A.P. Møller for at blive dual skibsfører.

Det lykkedes, og han begyndte to uger efter og sejlede et par år med dem. Det var spændende og gav ham venskaber for livet.

Langfart og længsel Casper sejlede langfart med seks måneder ude, og seks måneder hjemme: ”Jeg kunne godt mærke ensomheden, for selv om vi var 30 ombord, så SÅ vi ikke hinanden, fordi vi var meget specialiserede med forskellige vagter på forskellige tidspunkter. Nattevagten synes jeg især var træls. Når folk havde fri, sad de tit på deres kamre, selv om vi havde en stor opholdsstue. Vi var otte kadetter, der heldigvis holdt sammen. Ellers havde det været helt dødt, og man kunne nemt føle sig ensom. Det kræver meget at være alene. ” ”På de små skibe havde jeg gode snakke om tro med de andre. Fx vil filippinerne gerne tale om tro. På de store skibe ramte ensomheden. Måske havde jeg sejlet i dag, hvis jeg kun sejlede de små skibe.

Sammensætningen af besætningen betyder en del. Hvis alle går på deres kamre, så er det op ad bakke. En mand kan ikke bære den sociale opgave alene. ” På et af de sidste skibe han var, opsøgte han selv noget at lave om aftenen, fx en snak med skipper på broen eller et spil, hvis nogen gad spille. Han nåede også et punkt, hvor han bare ønskede at komme hjem.

Arbejdsskade Hans sidste praktiksejlads endte uheldigt, da han fik slem olieallergi, hvilket selvsagt ikke er smart, når han ville arbejde i maskinen.

Det endte med, at han måtte revurdere, hvad han ville som 20-årig: ”Rederiet var ikke villige til at hjælpe mig videre. Jeg stoppede med at sejle, flakkede rundt, tog en IT-uddannelse- et fejlskud af format, for jeg ville helst sejle. Jeg længtes efter livet som sømand. Fire år efter havde jeg stadig udlæng-

Casper Grønkjær felt lonely at sea.

Casper Grønkjær følte sig ensom ombord.

sel og havde glemt alt om at føle mig ensom ombord.” På Fynsværket i Odense gik han i lære som industrielektriker, og her arbejder han stadig, for det er det, der minder ham mest om livet til søs – arbejdet i maskinen. ”I dag har jeg tre års færdigheder fra Svendborg Søfartsskole, som jeg bruger i mit arbejde. Jeg er vant til at fikse tingene på en anden måde end mine kolleger. Jeg kan selv det meste og vil helst også selv. Ude på søen lærte man at bruge de begrænsede materialer, man har. Det er en stor gave at have fået med fra søfartsskolen.”

Ingen tilfældigheder ”Jeg tror ikke på tilfældigheder! Når jeg kigger tilbage, går der en rød tråd gennem så mange ting. Gud har grebet ind i mit liv mange gange. Det er ret vildt at opleve det – ikke mindst, da han guidede mig til min hustru. Troen er personlig for mig og privat, fordi jeg føler, den er med at åbne op til det allerinderste i mig. Den kristne tro fik jeg med fra søfartsskolen.”

I dag er Casper gift med Else på fjerde år, og parret har en datter og en baby på vej.

Han har ikke længere udlængsel: ”Nu er vi med i en ”søfartsbibelkreds”. Det er fint. Jeg har ikke længere behovet for at sejle, men er glad for job og at have familie og venner tæt på, selv om nogle af vores bedste venner nu er blevet sømandshjemsbestyrere i Aasiaat, Grønland,” smiler han.

Fra livet til søs kan han godt savne kollegerne: ”Sømænd er nogle af de mest åbensindede, jeg kender. Det, der betyder noget for dem, er mennesket, der er ligesom ingen fordomme eller forbehold. De accepterer meget, og den store forståelse kan jeg godt savne hos folk på land.” •

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By general secretary Nicolaj Wibe / Af generalsekretær Nicolaj Wibe

When loneliness knocks on our door Når ensomheden popper op “You have no reason to feel lonely. All you need to do is go over and talk to the others.”

This was the advice that a young girl received when she asked how to get rid of her loneliness. If there was one thing she couldn’t put herself through anymore, it was to go over to the others and talk. Her loneliness was not just caused by a need for friendships - it also came from the inside. She had plenty of peers around her and she never had to eat alone or sit alone at night. Yet she felt a deep sense of loneliness.

We are born alone and we die alone. This is a fundamental premise in life. We have to go through certain parts of life alone, and this can be a scary thing. Although cultures differ, we are “social animals”- we need each other and we seek each other. If you look into a Danish bus with only a few passengers they will most likely be sitting far apart, while in other countries they’ll be sitting close together.

Instinctively, humans are on the lookout for a “mate”. We depend on other people, and therefore it is frightening to be confronted with our own loneliness. The truth is that no matter how many people you have around you, you will always be enclosed in yourself.

The deepest parts of your person will never be seen by others. Therefore, loneliness is a basic human condition, although it is expressed to varying degrees in each of us. And if we stop for a moment and are truly honest with ourselves, we must all acknowledge that deep down we do in fact carry our own private loneliness.

Before we were born Before you were born there was an umbilical cord that connected you to your mother. Her body provided you with everything you needed in order to stay alive. At birth, this lifeline was cut. Now, your body had to take care of itself, and this is where your loneliness began. The intimate, life-giving connection with another individual had come to an end.

In the opening chapters of the Bible we read about the creation of mankind. Back then, God and man were as closely connected as the mother to her unborn child. If we read on, we hear about the great divorce. The first humans wanted to be their own gods,

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and God allowed it. They were expelled from the Garden of Eden and they now had to provide for themselves. At this moment, our fundamental loneliness was born. This is where it began, and now it is a part of our human condition that we must grabble with a constant sense of loneliness in both body and soul. We can try to suppress it in various ways, but it always pops back up.

Walk with me today A child cannot reenter its mother’s womb.

The separation between the two is final. But a

human being can always return to God. God has given us an open invitation to enter into a close relationship with him. And he invites us every day. Every day, we can accept this invitation by saying this simple prayer: “Dear Jesus, I would like you to walk with me through the day that lies ahead”. God has promised us that he will always hear prayers like this one.

God has promised that he will have fellowship with us no matter the situation. You can call out to him at any time, and he will be there for you. This is the closest we can get to God while we live in this world.

But does that bring an end to our loneliness?

No, in this life it will never fully disappear.

But Jesus invites us to share our loneliness with him, and that makes a huge difference.

These days, I speak a lot with person who is going through a tough time. His loneliness has become a threat to him. He has people around him, but, as he says, they are not really there for him. He cannot share his life with them, and they do not share their lives with him. Yesterday, I received this text from him: “I am not feeling well, but I share my challenges and my pain with Jesus. And rarely have I experienced his presence this strongly.” •

”Der er ingen grund til at være ensom. Du skal bare sætte dig hen til de andre og snakke”. Det var det råd, pigen fik, da hun bad om hjælp for sin ensomhed. Hvis der var noget, hun ikke magtede længere, var det at sætte sig hen til de andre og snakke. Hendes ensomhed var ikke kun savn efter nære relationer. Ensomheden kom i højere grad inde fra. Hun havde jævnaldrende omkring sig, behøvede ikke spise alene eller sidde alene om aftenen. Men hun var dybt ensom.

Alene kommer vi til verden, og alene skal vi herfra. Det er et grundvilkår for os. En del af livet er uden andre mennesker tæt på. Og det kan være skræmmende. For vi er ’flokdyr’. Vi har bestemt brug for hinanden og søger hen til hinanden. I nogle kulturer mere end andre.

Kigger du ind i en dansk bus med få mennesker, vil de sidde langt fra hinanden. Andre steder søger man sammen. Grundlæggende søger mennesket ’mage’. Vi har brug for hinanden.

Og derfor er det skræmmende, når man bliver konfronteret med ensomheden. Uanset hvor mange mennesker du har omkring dig, så er du kapslet ind i dig selv, og noget i dig vil aldrig blive eksponeret overfor andre. Ensomhed er menneskelivets grundvilkår. Hos nogle træder den bare tydeligere frem end andre. Men mærker du længe nok efter, og er du ærlig, så kender du til din helt private ensomhed.

I mors mave Da du og jeg lå inde i vores mors mave, var der en navlestreng, der forbandt os til hen-

des liv. Hendes krop var fødekilde til mig derinde. Ved fødslen blev denne navlestreng klippet over. Nu skulle kroppen klare sig selv, og dér begyndte ensomheden. Den tætte, livgivende forbundethed med en anden var slut.

I Bibelens første kapitler læser vi om menneskets skabelse. Mennesket og Gud var lige så tæt forbundne som barn og mor, når det ligger i hendes mave. Læser vi videre, kommer vi til det store brud. Mennesket ville selv være gud, og det fik det så lov til. Det blev udvist af Edens Have, og så måtte det klare sig selv. Der blev grund-ensomheden til. Det var der, det begyndte, og nu er det et vilkår for os alle, at en dyb ensomhed rumsterer i vores krop og sjæl. Det er en ensomhed, man kan forsøge at dæmpe på forskellig vis, men den vil altid poppe op igen.

Gå med mig i dag Et barn kan ikke komme tilbage til sin mors mave. Cuttet af navlestrengen er uafvendeligt.

Men mennesket kan godt komme tilbage til Gud. Gud står med åben invitation til et tæt forbundet liv sammen med ham. Og det gør han hver dag. Vi kan begynde vores dag med at tage imod denne invitation ved at bede en bøn: ’Kære Jesus, jeg vil gerne, om du går med mig ud i den dag, som begynder nu’. Denne eller lignende bønner, har vi Guds løfte på, bliver hørt. I en hvilken som helst situation inviterer Gud os til fællesskab, og hvornår på dagen du end beder til ham, så står han klar. Dette er det tætteste, mennesket kommer til Gud, mens det lever.

Men er ensomheden slut med det? Nej, der vil altid være rester tilbage af den. Men de rester er vi også inviteret til at dele med Jesus, hvilket kan gøre en kæmpestor forskel i vores liv.

I disse dage taler jeg meget med et menneske, der ikke har det let. Blandt andet er hans ensomhed truende. Han har andre mennesker omkring sig, men som han siger, så er de der ikke for ham. Han kan ikke dele sit liv med dem, og de deler ikke deres liv med ham. Og så skrev han denne SMS til mig i går: ’Jeg har det ikke godt, men jeg deler mine udfordringer og smerter med Jesus. Og sjældent før har jeg oplevet ham så tæt på’. •

New seamen’s missionary: CULTURE is fascinating Per Jerup has signed on as seamen’s missionary in western Jutland, from Aalborg to Thyborøn. Until now, he has worked as travelling missionary in Tanzania and as development consultant for the organization Promissio. His background as a business owner with twenty employees, combined with his experience as missionary, gives him a strong foundation for encountering all forms of seafarers. Per grew up near a Danish fishing port, in the town of Strandby, and fishing was a natural part of his childhood. He is familiar with the environment and he enjoys meeting people from different cultures.

When asked what he is most excited about in his new position, he answers: “I look forward to sailing. I look forward to going with Bethel - the ship from The Danish Mission to Seafares - on its summer cruise, where we visit various Danish harbors. And I look forward to encountering the local seafarers and fishermen.” •

Ny sømandsmissionær: KULTUR er fascinerende Per Jerup er ansat som ny sømandsmissionær i Limfjordsområdet, der dækker fra Aalborg til Thyborøn. Han kommer fra et job som pendlermissionær i Tanzania og udviklingskonsulent hos Promissio. Med en bred baggrund som sælger, selvstændig med knap 20 ansatte og missionær kombineret med en vis livserfaring er han klar til at møde sømænd og fiskere. For år tilbage var han qua sin opvækst i Strandby med ude at fiske flere gange. Så han har set en fiskekutter indefra - og desuden elsker han at møde mennesker fra forskellige kulturer.

Per Jerup glæder sig mest til at sejle: ”Jeg glæder mig meget til at skulle på havet. Jeg glæder mig til sommertogt med Bethel (Sømandsmissionens skib), hvor vi sejler rundt til danske havne, men bestemt også til at møde sømænd og fiskere. ” •

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Seamen’s missionary Paul Høeg (left) in dialogue with Nicholas Barands from South Africa.

Seamen’s missionary Simon Ambrosen (right) speaks to his colleague, Stefan Francke from the Netherlands, about housing solutions for maritime students.

Sømandsmissionær Paul Høeg (tv) i dialog med Nicholas Barands fra Sydafrika.

Sømandsmissionær Simon Ambrosen (th) snakker søfartskole-kollegier med kollega Stefan Francke fra Holland.

At the conference in Taiwan, seamen’s missionary Jørgen Knudsen (right) shared his advice on how to listen actively in a conversation. In the photo, he is receiving new inspiration from an Australian colleague.

Sømandsmissionær Jørgen Knudsen (th) inspirerede på konferencen i Taiwan med et indlæg om, hvordan man kan lytte - fx til en sømand. Her får han selv ideer med hjem fra Peter fra Australien.

By Hanne Baltzer / Af Hanne Baltzer

World Conference in Taiwan Verden samlet i Taiwan

I

t became an unforgettable experience when delegates from the Danish Mission to Seafarers took part in the ICMA World Conference in Kaohsiung in Taiwan. ICMA International Christian Maritime Association - is a diverse community of seamen’s missionaries from all over the globe, and with 250 participants from 40 different countries it became an interesting week filled with intense learning, networking and fellowship. The conference also celebrated fifty years of cooperation between seafarers, fishermen, and their families. The intense program, that began and ended in a local church, was bristling with interesting Lectures, workshops and discussions.

When you stand up to sing a hymn along with 250 people of all colors and cultures it brings a strong sense of joy to the heart - a joy and gratefulness that comes from seeing that there are people all over the world who, like us, are passionate about helping seafarers and fishermen.

The theme of the conference was Working Together, which is a focus that maritime welfare organizations all over the world wish to strengthen. All sailors should experience that there are people in each harbor who are willing to receive them, take care of them, and help them in various ways. This is the aim of organizations all over the world, and a strong cooperation is needed.

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Knowing reality The conference offered lectures on issues such as work environment, mental health, the future of shipping, the social life on board, volunteering, working conditions, recruitment, Christianity, physical health, and various welfare programs in places such as Singapore, South Africa, Finland and Brazil.

Various experts contributed with their predictions of the future, and many pointed to the increasing specialization within the maritime field, which leads to a growing need for longer and more thorough training and education among seafarers. A consequence of this development is that those who only have very basic training are in danger of losing their position. Seafarers from the Philippines and the surrounding regions dominate this group. These seafarers will need further training and support in the future.

In general, the lectures shed light on some of the serious challenges pertaining to the everyday life of seafarers around the world.

Oppression and abuse The working conditions of seafarers and fishermen was a central issue throughout the conference, and the phrase “If you saw what we see, you wouldn’t believe it” would be a fitting headline for the message that came from the international panel of experts. They told the story of fishermen who sign their

contracts they don’t understand, and who don’t know their own rights; of captains who confiscate their crew’s passports; of a lack of food and unpaid salaries; of seafarers working in tropical areas with not enough water to drink and limited access to a bathroom; and of slave-like conditions in areas such as the Persian Gulf. One of the strongest testimonies came from Andy Bowerman, an English leader of the Mission to Seafarers in Dubai. Held talked about the horrible oppression and abuse of seafarers in his region. During his first year he had spoken on behalf of 64 individuals in an attempt to ensure a proper salary, after 2-3 years of working without payment while their families desperately waited for the money back home. He had fought for their right to go ashore and take time off after spending months at sea, working almost constantly and getting only a few hours of sleep every night. His job was a never-ending fight against the slave-like conditions under which these people worked. He was driven by the message of the Bible that tells us to speak on behalf of the oppressed. Perhaps these sailors had been abandoned, but they were not forgotten, and he called for more cooperation in the region in order to help these people. It is challenging to hold other people’s fate in our hands, especially with the information that we often have, and therefore most of

250 participants from 40 different countries 250 deltagere fra 40 lande

D

Men at sea work under varying conditions.

Mænd til søs har forskellige arbejdsvilkår

the seamen’s missionaries agreed that there is a need for more cooperation across organizations. Shaking someone’s hand or listening to their situation is an act of care - to pray for a troubled seafarer, and to offer your help. This is true welfare, and it is part of the cure for loneliness. We have to commit ourselves to the people we work for, even though we might only meet them once. Kindness creates ripples, and during the conference everyone was reminded that a person rarely forgets a true act of kindness. •

et blev et brag af en oplevelse, da Sømandsmissionens udsendte deltog i ICMA World Conference i Kaohsiung, Taiwan. ICMA - International Christian Maritime Association – er et farverigt fællesskab af Sømandsmissioner verden rundt, og med 250 deltagere fra 40 nationer blev det en interessant uge med masser af læring, networking og fællesskab samtidig med, at det var en fejring af 50 års samarbejde for søfarende, fiskere og deres familier. Foredrag, workshops, diskussioner afløste hinanden i det tæt pakkede program, der var omkranset af, at konferencen begyndte og sluttede i kirken.

Når 250 synger den samme salme, mens de kigger rundt på de andre deltagere i alle farver, størrelser og hver med unikt udseende, så breder der sig en varme i kroppen – en glæde og taknemlighed over, at der verden rundt er mennesker, som også har søfolk og fiskere som hjertesag.

Tema for konferencen var Working together, hvilket de mange organisationer verden over, som arbejder for søfolk og fiskere, gerne vil intensivere. Søfolk skulle fx gerne kunne nyde godt af, at der står folk klar i de næste havne til at være dem behjælpelige på forskellig vis. At der er assistance i næsten hver havn. Der er i hvert fald rigtig mange organisationer indenfor feltet.

Viden om virkeligheden På konferencen blev der leveret foredrag om arbejdsmiljø, psykisk velbefindende, rederiernes bud på fremtiden, god behandling af medarbejdere, flere frivillige til sømandsmissioner, arbejdsvilkår, om rekruttering, kristen tro, helse og hjælpeprogrammer af forskellig art afhængig af, om det var i Singapore, Sydafrika, Finland eller Brasilien. En vurdering af fremtiden var eksperter også forbi. De vurderer fx, at den byder på yderligere specialisering af erhvervet og dermed behov for mere veluddannede søfolk. Så dem, der kun har fået en elementær uddannelse med sig, risikerer at stå bagerst i køen i fremtiden. Det vil især gå ud over søfolk fra lande som Filippinerne ol., hvorfor der her måske skulle sættes ind med flere tilbud.

Ganske hurtigt blev det klart for de mange

deltagere, at hverdagen for sømænd og fiskere kan være lige så forskellige som nat og dag.

Undertrykkelse Især sømænds og fiskeres arbejdsvilkår var flere indlægsholdere forbi: ”Hvis du så, hvad vi ser, ville du ikke tro det”” kunne stå som en overskrift her efterhånden som et ”verdenrundt- panel” leverede deres indlæg fra virkeligheden: Om fiskere der underskriver noget de ikke forstår og slet ikke kende egne rettigheder, kaptajner som snupper sømændenes pas, om mangel på mad og løn, om en hverdag i tropisk hede uden meget vand eller toiletter, slavelignende forhold fx i Golfen osv. Et af de stærkeste indslag kom fra Andy Bowerman, engelsk leder af den kristne sømandsmission ud fra Dubai. Han fortalte om mødet med al den forfærdelige undertrykkelse og udnyttelse af søfolk og fiskere i hans område.

64 personer havde han i løbet af sit første arbejdsår personligt gået ind og kæmpet for.

Kæmpet for at de fik deres løn (efter op til 2-3 år uden løn - mens familien venter desperat på pengene fra dem), kæmpet for at de fik lov at komme i land og afspadsere (efter månedsvis om bord på skibet med arbejde næsten i døgndrift, kun med ganske få timers søvn i døgnet), kæmpet for at de i det hele taget kom ud af de slavelignende forhold, de arbejdede under. Bibelens ord om at tale den undertryktes sag drev ham. Disse sømænd var måske nok FORLADT, men nu ikke GLEMT. Og han slog et slag for at samarbejde i regionen, hvilket var ganske afgørende for disse mennesker. Det er en udfordring at have andre menneskers liv i hænderne med den information, vi ofte har! Derfor har vi brug for at samarbejde, mente flere af de sømandsmissioner, som deltog på Taiwan.

Nærvær er også at trykke en hånd. At lytte til et menneske. At lægge en hånd på en skulder. At bede for en sømand. At hjælpe.

Det er ægte omsorg, og kan være med til at reducere ensomhed. Man skal involvere sig i de mennesker, man arbejder for. Også selv om man måske kun ser dem en gang. Godhed spreder sig. Og man glemmer ikke situationer, hvor man er blevet mødt med godhed, lød nogen af pointerne. •

15

The story behind a photo “I was sailing on board Duen, the Danish Seamen’s Mission’s ship, when we received a call on the VHF radio from a helicopter asking if we would participate in a rescue drill. Of course we accepted, and that is why we have this photo of a helicopter on the wall.” The story is told by Birger Møllesøe who is a retired radio operator. Birger used to work in the Danish Merchant Navy, and today he sails as a passionate volunteer for the Danish Seamen’s Mission. Even though he hasn’t been active in the organization for long, it already means a lot to him.

Five or six years ago, Birger Møllesøe was taking a walk at the harbor in Copenhagen, when he passed by a sign that said “open ship”. He passed it by at first, but his curiosity made him turn back. When he stepped on board the Seamen’s Mission’s ship Bethel he met Leif Rasmussen, who now works as seamen’s missionary. Back then, Leif owned his own ship, which Birger later got a chance to go fishing on.

”Jeg var med Duen fra Gilleleje til Dragør.

Undervejs blev vi ud for København kaldt op på VHF-radioen, hvor helikoptermandskabet spurgte, om vi ville deltage i en redningsøvelse. Og selvfølgelig ville vi det. Så derfor er der et helikopterbillede her.” Det fortæller Birger Møllesøe fra Dragør, der er en passioneret tidligere telegrafist, som bl.a. sejlede i Handelsflåden. Nu er han frivillig, når Sømandsmissionen er ude at sejle om sommeren. Han elsker det, men mødet med Sømandsmissionen er af nyere dato.

Birger Møllesøe gik en tur på kajen i København for en 5-6 år siden. Her kom han forbi et skilt med ”åbent skib”, men gik videre et kort øjeblik, inden han vendte om.

For hvad var det for et skib, han lige var gået forbi? På dækket af Sømandsmissionens skib Bethel sad Leif Rasmussen, der nu er sømandsmissionær. Det var han ikke dengang, for da havde han sit eget skib, som Birger i øvrigt også senere fik en fisketur med.

A unique atmosphere

”Jeg kendte ingenting til Sømandsmissionen, men fandt ud af, at der er en ganske særlig stemning ombord på Bethel og Duen, som jeg vil savne meget, hvis ikke det var muligt at sejle med som frivillig. Jeg var også med til at undervise søfartselever i Svendborg i godt sømandskab, da vi måtte det. ”Leif foreslog mig dengang at sejle med til Køge, og siden er det blevet til nogle ture.

Det bedste er at stå deroppe på broen med en kop kaffe i hånden. Jeg elsker at sejle,” siger Birger.

I det daglige passer og vedligeholder han sammen med andre entusiaster i Dragør en af de både, som bragte jøder til Sverige under 2. verdenskrig. Sømandskabet fylder stadig. •

“I had never heard of the Seamen’s Mission before, but on board their ships I experienced a unique atmosphere, which I would miss a lot if I hadn’t become a volunteer. I even used to be part of the team that taught the maritime students in Svendborg how to behave properly at sea.

When I first met Leif, he asked me if I wanted to sail with him to his next location south of Copenhagen, and since then we’ve been on several trips together. The best feeling is to stand on the bridge with a warm cup of coffee. I simply love sailing,” says Birger.

Along with a group of maritime enthusiasts, Birger also maintains a historical boat that transported Jews from Denmark to Sweden during the Second World War. All in all, Birger is still a seafarer by heart. •

En god atmosfære

Returadresse: Indenlandsk Sømandsmission, Havnepladsen 1, 7100 Vejle, Denmark

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