Auckland International Seafarers Centre

Auckland International Seafarers Centre Auckland International Seafarers Centre is a partnership between Mission to Seafarers and Sailors Society.

Our team supports seafarers onboard the vessel and at our new Centre just outside the port gate.

An Act of Kindness Goes a Long WayA simple act of kindness by the owners of a newly opened phone repair shop in Auckland...
14/06/2026

An Act of Kindness Goes a Long Way

A simple act of kindness by the owners of a newly opened phone repair shop in Auckland’s CBD made a world of difference for one grateful seafarer yesterday.

When the Long Beach Express arrived in Auckland behind schedule, it was nearly 6:00pm before the gangway was ready. As soon as Welfare Officer Judith came onboard, O/S Alphie approached her seeking help with an urgent problem. His mobile phone battery had become swollen, making the phone unusable and potentially unsafe. Although a replacement battery had been delivered to him by a friend joining the ship that evening, he had no access to the specialised tools needed to carry out the repair.

A quick search showed that most nearby repair shops had already closed for the day. The earliest opening times the following morning were around 10:00am, but the vessel was scheduled to depart at 11:30am, leaving very little time. To make matters worse, Alphie had already spent five days without proper contact with his family, as all of his contact details were stored on the disabled phone.

Just when it seemed there were no options left, a newly opened repair shop on the corner of Albert Street and Victoria Street West appeared on Google Maps, showing a closing time of 7:00pm. With nothing to lose, Judith called the shop and explained the situation. She asked whether they might be willing to stay open a little later to allow time for the seafarer to travel from the port.

Without hesitation, the owners agreed.

What followed felt like perfect timing. The port shuttle arrived within minutes of being called, security processing was smooth, and an Uber happened to be nearby. Before long, Judith and Alphie were making their way up Albert Street to the shop.

Thanks to the generosity of the team at Mobile Doctors, the battery was successfully replaced and Alphie was soon back at the Seafarers Centre, using the free Wi-Fi to call his family once again.

Mobile Doctors is a newly established father-and-son business. Despite staying open after hours to help, they charged only for the battery change service itself and simply asked that we leave a review for their new venture.

They also let us know that they would be happy to assist seafarers in the future should they find themselves facing similar phone issues.

A huge thank you to Mobile Doctors for their kindness and willingness to help. It is a wonderful reminder that small acts of generosity can make a big difference in the lives of seafarers far from home. ❤️⚓📱

Chief Engineer from Scion Mafalda on a visit to Mount Eden today.He joked that it was “definitely a nice change from the...
14/06/2026

Chief Engineer from Scion Mafalda on a visit to Mount Eden today.

He joked that it was “definitely a nice change from the engine room!”

A chance to get ashore, enjoy some fresh air, exercise, and see a little of New Zealand is an important part of supporting the wellbeing of seafarers who spend months away from home and family.

⚓ June 14 Devotional for Seafarers"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." — Proverbs 16:...
13/06/2026

⚓ June 14 Devotional for Seafarers

"Commit to the Lord whatever you do, and He will establish your plans." — Proverbs 16:3

Life at sea teaches us that not everything is under our control. Weather changes, schedules shift, ports are delayed, and unexpected challenges arise. Even the most carefully prepared voyage can take an unforeseen turn.

Yet Proverbs reminds us that there is One who remains steady when everything else feels uncertain. To "commit" our work to the Lord means more than simply asking for His help. It means placing our plans, our worries, our families, our careers, and our futures into His hands, trusting that He sees the bigger picture.

For seafarers, this can be especially important. Many of you spend long months away from home, carrying responsibilities that keep the world's trade moving. Your work matters, and God sees both your efforts and your sacrifices.

Today, wherever your vessel may be, take a moment to place your journey before the Lord. Ask Him to guide your decisions, protect your crew, strengthen your family relationships, and give you peace in every circumstance.

When we commit our way to Him, we may not always receive the voyage we expected, but we can trust that He will guide us faithfully through every sea.

🙏 Prayer: Lord, we commit our work, our voyage, and our future to You. Guide our steps, protect us from harm, and help us trust You in every circumstance. Bless all seafarers and their families today. Amen.

The Galley Team aboard Long Beach Express.While the rest of the crew are busy with the final preparations for departure ...
13/06/2026

The Galley Team aboard Long Beach Express.

While the rest of the crew are busy with the final preparations for departure today, the galley team is quietly working behind the scenes to ensure everyone is well fed and ready for the voyage ahead.

Their hard work may not always be seen, but it is an essential part of keeping the ship running.

Charlie and his colleagues waiting at the Centre today to join their ship, Long Beach Express. Ship was running late but...
13/06/2026

Charlie and his colleagues waiting at the Centre today to join their ship, Long Beach Express.

Ship was running late but lucky the centre is so close by to the port gate, allowing them a place to rest up and wait before their work started.

Happy Birthday to two of the crew from ANL Tasman Trader! 🎉🎂Being away from home on your birthday is one of the sacrific...
12/06/2026

Happy Birthday to two of the crew from ANL Tasman Trader! 🎉🎂
Being away from home on your birthday is one of the sacrifices many seafarers make while keeping global trade moving. Today, the team from the Seafarers Centre had the pleasure of visiting these two crew members and presenting them with a small birthday gift (including plenty of chocolate! 🍫) to help make their day a little more special.
It's a simple gesture, but we believe every seafarer deserves to have their birthday recognised, even when they're far from family and friends and busy with the demands of life at sea.
Please join us in wishing them both a very happy birthday and a safe voyage ahead! ⚓🎈 :::

A smiling crew and a well-earned break! 😊Our Welfare Officer, Judith, is pictured here with members of the crew from Imu...
07/06/2026

A smiling crew and a well-earned break! 😊

Our Welfare Officer, Judith, is pictured here with members of the crew from Imua during their visit to the Seafarers Centre. After long days at sea, it is always encouraging to see seafarers enjoying some time ashore, connecting with friends, relaxing, and making the most of the facilities available to them.

The happy faces say it all! We are grateful to be able to provide a welcoming place where crews can unwind, access support, and enjoy a little home-away-from-home while their ship is in port.

We wish the crew of Imua a pleasant stay in Auckland and safe voyages ahead. ⚓

⚓ Devotional for Seafarers – James 4:10"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." — James 4:10Life at...
06/06/2026

⚓ Devotional for Seafarers – James 4:10

"Humble yourselves before the Lord, and He will lift you up." — James 4:10

Life at sea teaches humility. No matter our rank, experience, or qualifications, every seafarer knows there are forces beyond our control. The weather can change without warning. Mechanical problems can arise unexpectedly. Long voyages can remind us how small we are in a vast ocean.

Yet humility in the Bible is not about thinking less of yourself. It is about recognizing that we need God and trusting Him with our lives. When we stop relying only on our own strength and place ourselves in His hands, we discover that He is faithful.

James promises that when we humble ourselves before the Lord, He will lift us up. Not necessarily by removing every challenge, but by giving us strength for the voyage, peace in uncertainty, and hope when we feel far from home.

Today, wherever your ship may be, take a moment to acknowledge your dependence on God. Bring your worries, your responsibilities, and your loved ones before Him. The God who rules the seas is able to sustain you and lift your heart.

🙏 Prayer: Lord, help me to walk humbly before You today. Teach me to trust You more than my own strength. Watch over all seafarers and their families, and lift us up with Your peace and grace. Amen.

The arrival of fresh provisions is always a welcome sight on board New Century One! 🚢🥝🍎Pictured here are the Chief Cook ...
06/06/2026

The arrival of fresh provisions is always a welcome sight on board New Century One! 🚢🥝🍎

Pictured here are the Chief Cook and Messman carefully working through the provisions checklist outside the galley, making sure every item has been delivered and accounted for before it finds its way into the ship's stores.

As a regular visitor to Auckland, New Century One often takes on fresh supplies here, with the crew particularly appreciative of the quality of New Zealand produce. From fresh fruit and vegetables to other essential stores, these deliveries help keep the crew well-fed during their voyages across the Pacific.

It's a behind-the-scenes task that might not attract much attention, but accurate stocktaking is an important part of life at sea and helps ensure the galley can continue serving good meals to everyone on board.

A proud moment aboard Ken Haru as the Captain and Chief Officer received a commemorative plaque recognising the vessel's...
04/06/2026

A proud moment aboard Ken Haru as the Captain and Chief Officer received a commemorative plaque recognising the vessel's remarkable rescue of a French solo yachtsman during their voyage to Auckland.

The crew spoke of the rescue with great passion and humility, recalling how the weather seemed to offer a brief window of opportunity. After battling challenging conditions, the wind eased just long enough for the rescue operation to be carried out safely. Had that opportunity been missed, the worsening conditions would likely have made any rescue impossible.

Their professionalism, teamwork, and determination turned a perilous situation into a story of hope and survival. Every member of the crew can be immensely proud of the part they played in bringing a fellow mariner safely home.

Congratulations to the Captain, Chief Officer, and the entire Ken Haru crew on this well-deserved recognition. The maritime tradition of coming to the aid of those in distress remains alive and well.

⚓️🌊👏

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21 Tooley Street
Auckland
1010

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Thursday 4pm - 9pm
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