Invergordon Seafarers Centre - A Haven For Seafarers

Woolly hats were in big demand with the crew from the cruise ship Mein Schiff 5 today. They find Invergordon cold but are due to visit Norway in a few days time, where they expect it to be even colder.

Crew from the pipelayer vessel, Deep Energy were keen to visit Inverness to shop for chocolate and other essentials before going back to sea. You can see by the photograph that they had a fruitful visit.

First visit of the year for Crown Princess. It was good to catch up with some old griends from previous years. Some crew had sufficient free time to pay a visit to Dornoch Cathedral and Glenmorangie Distillery.

The cruise ship AIDAaura was in port for an extra day due to bad weather, so we had two days to entertain the crew. On Saturday one group visited Inverness whilst a second group decided to visit Dunrobin Castle and Dornoch Cathedral. This afternoon a third group from the vessel visited Loch Ness and Urquhart Castle. Hopefully all will have happy memories of their visit to Invergordon and the Highlands.

I was warmly welcomed on board the cargo vessel, Bbc Dolphin on her first visit to Invergordon. Unfortunately it was bitterly cold for the crew on gangway duty. Later in the evening we were happy to welcome some of the Filipino to our Seafarers Centre.

When the cruise ship, Costa Mediterranea called at Invergordon, some crew visited our Centre whilst others took a trip to Loch Ness looking for the monster.

It was good to welcome crew from the cruise ship, Marco Polo to our church on her second visit of the year. One young lady entertained us on the piano.

We had a super time in Orkney, helping in the new Seafarers Centre in Kirkwall and ship visiting. It was good to be able to welcome some friends from the cruise ship, AIDAaura to the Centre. Thanks to sponsorship from NorthLink Ferries, we were able to take a stock of Bibles, booklets and a computer with us, for the Centre.

While our church was open to welcome crew and passengers from the cruise ship, AIDAaura, we were treated to a selection of Gospel songs given by the Highland Gospel Male Voice Choir.

We were asked to give an Easter Message to the crew on board the cruise ship, AIDAaura as they had been working over the Easter weekend. Following our message, all present were treated to a lovely rendition of the song, Halleluiah by Iness, the First Purser.

Four crew from the cargo vessel, Rotra Vente knew that their vessel was due for a quick turnaround, so asked for transport into town to visit the Seafarers Centre and purchase some chocolate and other goodies. It was good to share some time with them again and look forward to their next visit.

It was great to welcome so many crew from the cruise ship, Costa Mediterranea to our church today. Some were old friends and many others, new faces. For some a visit to Urquhart Castle and Loch Ness was the highlight of their visit.

We were happy to meet so many crew from AIDAaura when they visited our church, and meet up with friends from previous visits.

We were warmly welcomed on board the cruise ship, AIDAaura, on her second visit of the year. Warm hats are still popular at this time of year.

We were happy to welcome crew from the cruise ship, Marco Polo to our church this afternoon. An opportunity for them to chill out and speak to friends and relatives on the internet.

It was good to meet and spend some time with crew on board the cruise ship, Marco Polo, on her first visit of the year.

When I visited the pipe layer, Apache II, a strong easterly wind was blowing rain and sleet across the pier. As I approached the vessel, I found the crew member on gangway duty sheltering in a small hut at the end of the gangway. He was well clad but was still feeling cold and not enjoying Scottish weather.

I heard that someone on board the cargo vessel, Eems Dundee needed a phone card, so visited the vessel. When on board I discovered that almost all the crew needed a new SIM card. I was happy to provide new cards for them so that they could contact their families in the Philippines, Holland and Ukraine.