Stella Maris Urges Action on Seafarer Abandonment Crisis

Stella Maris, the world’s largest ship-visiting charity and the official maritime charity of the Catholic Church, has issued a urgent call to action to address the increasing cases of seafarers being abandoned by shipowners around the world. The organization describes this situation as a global humanitarian crisis, with many seafarers left without pay, support, or a way home, leading to severe mental health issues among those stranded.

The CEO of Stella Maris, Tim Hill, emphasized the need for unity in response to this crisis and called for the enforcement of international laws to hold negligent companies accountable and provide immediate assistance to abandoned crews. Data from the International Maritime Organization shows a significant increase in ship abandonment cases over the past decade, with ship owners failing to provide basic necessities such as food, shelter, and medical care.

Stella Maris is actively supporting abandoned seafarers worldwide, including recent interventions in Scotland and Kenya, where crews were left without pay for months. The charity provides essential supplies, communication tools, and assistance in repatriation efforts. Deacon Joseph O’Donnell highlighted the role of companies and organizations benefiting from the maritime industry in addressing these issues and raising awareness at governmental levels to combat this global problem.

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