Seafarers gathering held in Kirkwall

A get together for seafarers living in Orkney took place in Kirkwall today, Monday.

Held in the British Legion, the ‘seafarers gathering’ was organised by Fishermen’s Mission man in Orkney Willie Buchan, working in partnership Linsey Drever from Voluntary Action Orkney.

The informal lunch took place this afternoon when around 50 people took the opportunity to come along.

There was a good cross section of the seafaring community and their partners at the lunch, ranging from retired fishermen and merchant navy seafarers, to those who work at sea at the moment. Also in attendance were those who have been involved with the welfare of seafarers in the past, and those who are at present.

Those behind the idea of the lunch also took the opportunity to gain feedback in the form of questionnaires to gauge if there is any interest in setting up a regular meeting for such a group of people in the future.

They said it may be possible to set up a local branch of the Merchant Navy Association, or similar such organisation in the future, or to simply to hold similar informal events in the future.

The event was funded through the Fishermen’s Mission and LEADER funding.