Wheels on the bus the key to seafarer relief

A new minibus funded by Southern Ports is assisting Mission to Seafarers to welcome thousands of seafarers to the shores of Bunbury each year.

The $63,000 12-seater bus is already in action and has been instrumental in providing ‘shore leave’ to the crews who may have been at sea for up to 11 months at a time.

Southern Ports Chief Executive Officer Keith Wilks said that the increase in the number of seafarers visiting our communities is reflective of the strong trade through the Port of Bunbury.

“Last year we welcomed more than 10,000 seafarers into our Port of Bunbury across the 465 ships,” said Mr Wilks.

“The Mission to Seafarers is a vital service that we’re proud to support. It provides seafarers with the opportunity to go beyond the port and access everything that Bunbury has to offer, as well as providing medical and airport transport.”

Chair and Chaplain of Bunbury Mission to Seafarers, Very Reverend Darryl Cotton described the group’s service, saying “we’re their home away from home, we provide a safe place to recharge and refresh for the next leg of their voyage.”

"We're extremely grateful to Southern Ports for the 12-seater minibus. Without this transport, we wouldn't be able to provide seafarers with the kind of shore leave that we do, providing easy access to the city of Bunbury."

The not-for-profit has also experienced a volunteer shortage since COVID-19.

“Pre-COVID we had 27 volunteers in Bunbury, now we are at half of those numbers. It’s heart-breaking when we’re unable to take all the crews ashore due to a lack of volunteers.”

In addition to the new 12-seater bus, Mission to Seafarers is looking to upgrade its 14-year-old larger 22-seater bus.

“Our ageing larger bus has to undergo more and more costly maintenance, so we’re now fundraising to upgrade it.”

This Sunday (25 June) marks Day of the Seafarer, recognising the invaluable contribution seafarers make to international trade and the world economy, often at great personal cost to themselves and their families.

If you’re looking to support the Mission to Seafarers visit mtsbunbury.org.au