MtS, also known as the Flying Angel, opened in Singapore in 1924 and over the last 90 years the city-state has grown to become one of the world’s busiest ports. To celebrate 90 years in the Lion City Mts will be holding a reception hosted by the British High Commission in Singapore on 4 June.
The charity has played a longstanding role in caring for seafarers around the world visiting the port. Chairman of the Singapore branch Lee Wai Pong, a former seafarer, explains the importance of its role from his own experience. “My first contact with The Mission to Seafarers was 40 years ago in Australia, when I was a cadet on board a general cargo ship visiting Brisbane,” Lee says.
“I was struck by the care and concern by the Australian volunteers who took time off to befriend us and made us feel welcome. Whilst shipping has changed much in 40 years, the ethos of MtS to provide care and concern to seafarers whose ships call at ports spread throughout the world remains unchanged.”
The 90th anniversary celebrations coincide with the formal opening of its refurbished International Drop In Centre in Jurong Port on 3 June with special guest Tan Beng Tee, assistant ceo of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA).
“I am looking forward to the opening of the new Mission to Seafarers Centre in Jurong Port. The Mission has had many different locations since it first opened its doors in Singapore in 1924,” says Revd Stephen Miller, MtS regional director for East Asia.
Platinum sponsors for the anniversary celebrations are Swire Group and China Navigation Co.