AoS South Africa gets financial boost

Seafarers UK has awarded Apostleship of the Sea (AoS) a grant of £4,312 towards its work in South Africa, paving the way for the seafarers’ charity to hold its national conference on 17th to 19th May in Bloemfontein.

AoS development director John Green said the funds would reinvigorate, update, enhance and expand AoS’ ships visiting ministry in main South African ports to support the needs of seafarers.

AoS in Great Britain recently twinned with AoS in South Africa to help the latter develop its network of ship visitors.

Seafarers UK said the grant towards AoS’ work formed part of its own aims to further its charitable objectives within the Commonwealth, which are;

• The relief of seafarers or dependents, who are in need

• The education and training of people of any age to prepare for work or service at sea

• The promotion of the efficiency and effectiveness of the maritime charitable sector within the Commonwealth; and,

• The promotion of safety at sea by providing support to organisations established within the Commonwealth

AoS has been serving seafarers in South Africa since the early 1930s and currently works in three ports, Durban, Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Richard's Bay.

There are plans to establish a presence in Saldana Bay, a port that contains a fish factory and a direct rail link to local mines.