A seafarers' centre in Felixstowe has been revamped as part of a planned programme of improvements across UK centres managed by QVSR Seafarers Centres – part of the Seafarers Mission of the Methodist Church
The updated Felixstowe Seafarers Centre, unveiled in July, is part of a UK refurbishment project costing in the region of £200,000 funded by the Department for Transport (DfT) in partnership with the Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB). Another 24-hour QVSR Seafarers Centre in the Port of Immingham underwent a similar refurbishment and reopened at the beginning of 2024.
The funding comes as part of the UK Government's commitment to the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC2006), which seeks to improve and develop maritime welfare services across the world. The newly refurbished centre offers 24 hour access with a new lounge designed to maximise use of technology for improved connectivity for seafarers in port.
QVSR Seafarers Centres CEO Alexander Campbell said: 'There is a need to provide modern spaces of the highest standard for seafarers to relax in. We believe that the QVSR Felixstowe Seafarers Centre sets the standards for such facilities; we want seafarers on ships berthing in the UK to experience the very best facilities and Felixstowe now has a first class seafarers centre.
'The provision of 24 hour access at seafarers centres is vital, as ships and crew can arrive in port at any time. The QVSR Felixstowe Seafarers Centre will have a 24-hour seafarers lounge as part of the improvements.'
'QVSR is fully committed to driving forward with a programme of improvements that will see our seafarers centres here in the UK amongst the very best in the world. We would like to thank DfT, Merchant Navy Welfare Board and Hutchison Ports for their support in making our vision a reality.'
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