Supporting Seafarers
The Apostleship of the Sea (AOS) is the official maritime welfare agency of the Catholic Church in Great Britain.
Although 90% of world trade is transported by sea, the conditions of seafarers are largely hidden. They experience loneliness, dangerous working conditions and even exploitation as they bring us the goods we need to sustain our standard of living.
AOS deploys chaplains and ship visitors in ports to welcome seafarers to our shores as brothers and sisters, regardless of their creed or nationality, and to provide for their pastoral and practical needs on behalf of Britain’s Catholic community. While Catholic seafarers are given the opportunity to receive the sacraments, all encounter the love and light of Christ in their midst.
AOS also works ecumenically to provide drop-in centres for seafarers inside ports, and is supported by a network of parish contacts and volunteers.