Why we support seafarers
90 percent of goods are transported on the world’s oceans. On the Baltic Sea and elsewhere. The seafarers are often away from home for months at a time. The Seamen’s Mission is an important point of contact in the ports – including Lübeck.
It is the seafarers on board who make our lives rich by transporting the goods. They themselves remain invisible on the seas and away from the harbors. They are away from home, family and friends for months at a time. They often work many hours a week under high demands and great pressure. Once they reach port, time is usually short. The goods have to be unloaded and new ones be taken on board. Demurrage costs money and then it’s quickly back to sea. So it’s good to have a permanent contact person in the staff of the German Seamen’s Mission in Lübeck who understands the situation of the seafarers and can help.
On-board support
We visit the seafarers on their ships in the ports of Lübeck – from the city center to Travemünde. We are there for them. For small talk that brings a bit of the outside world on board. For practical help. For a chat in personal emergencies. For a stay in hospital. In the event of an accident or death on board. In times of crisis such as the coronavirus pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine war. We are well networked and maintain contact with all those involved in the Port of Lübeck.
Seamen's Club
The Seamen’s Club is located at Seelandstraße 15, Lehmannkai 2, in the middle of Lübeck’s harbor. It bears the name of Lübeck’s first seamen’s pastor “Sweder Hoyer”. In the Seamen’s Club, seafarers can relax in the cozy sofa corner or play billiards to take a break from life on board. Here they find people to talk to and support. Free Wi-Fi enables the all-important contact with family and friends, as seafarers are often away from home for months at a time.
Seamen's Club: Seelandstreet 15, Lehmannkai 2
Sea Sunday
Every year on the first Sunday of Travemünde Week, we invite you to Sea Sunday – our maritime open-air church service right by the sea. We focus on the seafarers. They can’t be there themselves, but in their statements they talk about life and work on board. About international crews. Of loneliness and the longing for family. Of responsibility for the ship, cargo and crew.
Of fear in a storm and trust in technology. Celebrating with us are the parish of St. Lorenz Travemünde, the Lübeck shanty choir “Möwenschiet” and the trombone choir of the Evangelical Lutheran parishes of Scharbeutz / Gleschendorf. Welcome to the next Sea Sunday!
Next Sea Sunday: 21.07.2024
Day of the Seafarer
Without seafarers, world trade would not work. The “Day of the Seafarer” reminds us of this every year on June 25. On International Seafarers’ Day, we draw attention to their situation and thank them for their work with small gifts.