Sheikh Saleh 'inaugurates 'Flying Angel'

The US$ 1 million seafarers support boat aims to serve the estimated 140,000 seafarers working on ships in the East Coast anchorages each year.

"On behalf of the Department of Industry and Economics of Fujairah I am honoured to inaugurate the 'Flying Angel' today. It is also appropriate that the launch coincide with FUJCON 2007 when over 250 global bunkering and marine industries' professionals from nearly 30 different countries are currently gathered here in Fujairah. It has been a fantastic effort to raise over US$ 1 million to turn a dream into reality and an international community is here to witness what can be achieved when governments, the private sector and members of the public join hands, for the benefit of those less fortunate than ourselves."

The Mission to Seafarers in Dubai, part of the international organisation that cares for seafarers regardless of race or religion in over 300 ports around the world, launched its charitable appeal 'The Angel Appeal' in February 2006. The aim of the project was to raise over US$ 1 million by the end of February 2007 to build and equip a boat to support some of the estimated 140,000 seafarers using the East Coast Anchorages of the UAE each year.

The 'Flying Angel', custom built by Albwardy Marine in Al Jadaf, Dubai, provides an Internet Café, a library with both educational and fictional DVDs and books, a medical clinic with a fully trained paramedic, access to telecommunications and pastoral and spiritual support with a dedicated Welfare Officer.

Many seafarers on board ships anchored off the East Coast do not get the opportunity to come ashore, with hundreds of vessels up to 18 miles out it is often too costly for the seafarers or their companies to consider shore-leave.
The service will operate every week for 72 hours at a time, by sailing out to the ships, allowing seafarers to step off for a period of rest and relaxation.

"Watching the "Flying Angel" finally take to the water today, fills me with a great sense of pride. With 99.3 per cent of all UAE imports arriving by sea we all have a vested interesting in ensuring the welfare of seafarers. The "Flying Angel" will offer many seafarers support and help for those who are unable to come ashore," said Reverend Stephen Miller of The Mission to Seafarers in Dubai.