Global charity The Mission to Seafarers is in Hamburg with an ambitious target to raise EUR 15,000 ($16,748) during SMM.

Local Hamburg shipmanager Brise Shipping has got the ball rolling with a EUR 3,000 donation and Mission staff are urging delegates to follow their lead. Every single euro in the jar counts. 

To shake things up a bit and to highlight its 160th anniversary year, the Mission has thrown three jolly "sailors" into the mix who are collecting money dressed in 19th century costume.

Delegates can also take part in a raffle to win a 25-year-old bottle of Old Pulteney maritime malt whisky.

Development manager for the UK and Europe Laura Brown says the funds raised will be used to support wifi packages, welfare packages and transport facilities across the world.

"Some of our seafarer centres are also looking for sponsorship of EUR 15,000," she added.

Brown also highlights the Mission's new corporate portofolio detailing a range of opportunities for corporate partners to get involved in.

With digitalisation being the buzzword in Hamburg, TradeWinds asked the Mission what is crucial for seafarers against that background.

"We need to continue to raise funds for wifi provision," said Brown. "Even if there are now wifi facilities onboard, seafarers can only access them 35% of the time. That´s like you and I, despite the technology getting better, only being able to use our mobile phone 35% of the time.

"Crews are also getting smaller so there are less people to communicate with. Seafarers may be away for six months at a time with maybe a crew of only eight people, so technology doesn´t always address the needs of the seafarer."

Head of marketing and communications Laura Hayes says a big concern is seafarers' mental health.

"It's brilliant more satellites are coming onstream," she told TradeWinds. "But we estimate there´s still only 28% deepsea internet access, which is a big problem for seafarers, as they are away from their families for so long. 

"The other issue is bandwidth; it's small and it's difficult for the whole crew to be allocated bandwidth. We need to continue that fight."

The main message, to not only owners and managers but to everyone in the maritime industry, is "seafarers really do need your help", Hayes says.

"We work around the world in 200 ports, also in some of the most remote ports. Ninety-nine per cent of shipowners are fabulous, their companies look after their staff extremely well.

"But we're here for the backstop, to help those seafarers who are suffering and engaged with owners who are not quite that reputable. They musn't be forgotten."