Page 5 - LOTN Spring Issue 52 2023

DIOCESE

News from Stella Maris

here was an emotional reunion for Stella Maris in some Aberdeenshire air
Aberdeen port recently - as one seafarer made a and exercise.
Twelcome return to the Granite City. While SM were visiting
Back in 2018, Pam Millar first met Captain Egor and the vessel recently,
quickly set about arranging for the master of the UAL Texas Pam was thrilled and
to visit a local town. surprised to see Captain
Egor back in the harbour.
They caught up on the
past few, eventful years including Covid and the war in
Ukraine.
The Master is from Ukraine and his wife and daughter are
still there. They are in a relatively safe place, but like much
of the worn-torn country are suffering from power cuts.
Captain Egor was due to re-join his ship in March 2022,
but was unable to get permission and paperwork until
October 2022.
If he returned to his homeland now, there would be
no guarantee of when he would be allowed to leave the
country and re-join his vessel.
Captain Egor will probably meet with his family
somewhere in Europe when he eventually signs off the
vessel.
Port Chaplain Doug took time to speak with several
Pam, who is part of Deacon Doug Duncan’s ship-visiting members of the crew who were also from the Ukraine and
team in the northeast of Scotland, ensured the captain some from the Philippines. He issued them with free phone
received a break from the confines of the vessel and enjoyed cards to keep them in contact with loved ones back home.

oug Duncan came to the rescue once more - they were getting low on food so agreed to take them to
providing crew with key contact to their families the local super-market to purchase some essentials.
Das well as some much-needed supplies. He made two trips with the cook and one of the seafarers
On receiving a phone call, Doug visited the vessel and duly filled the Stella Maris vehicle with 7 trolleys of
‘Conformity’ which is a coaster carrying salt for the icy roads food stuffs, with a total value of £650.
following the cold snap in the northeast of Scotland. The crew were delighted, not just with the mifi unit but
Firstly, Deacon Doug provided crew members with the also safe in the knowledge they were stocked up for further
mifi unit to enable them to contact loved ones back home. journeys.
But his work wasn’t finished there. Doug soon realised

Trolleys are piling up at the till Down the hatch they go!
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