The Anglican Church of Melanesia run mission to seafarers’ Centre at Noro Port, Western Province was successfully dedicated and officially opened on Sunday the 31st of May 2015.
The Archbishop of the Anglican Church of Melanesia who is also the President of the Mission to Seafarers’ within ACoM officially dedicated and opened the Centre in the presence of the Noro Port Manager Captain Chris Sade, the Honorable member for Noro ward Hon. Billy Veo, Noro town Clark Mr. David Mamupio, representative of shipping agentsat Noro Mr. Nelson Boso and Noro Anglican parishioners.
The purpose of the Centre is to provide a venue where seafarers can go for spiritual support, emergency help, welfare services and recreational activities after spending days, weeks and months at sea.
The former ship captain now ordained as Priest Rev. Luke Foai is manning the Centre.
Archbishop Vunagi in his opening remarks, thank the Noro-based Solomon Islands Ports Authority management, the Noro Town Council and the Western Provincial Government for recognizing the importance of this services and allow the church to establish this Centre. Archbishop Vunagi also urged all seafarers to make the
Rev. Hillary Anisi who looks after the seafarers’ office in Honiara urged the people of Noro and the Western Province to take ownership of the Centre.
The representative of the Western Provincial Government Hon. Billy Veo commended the Anglican Church of Melanesia for taking the lead in establishing the important and remarkable facility for seafarers.Hon. Billy Veo, also stated that “Noro is no exception to both local and international seafarers.” He also urged the National Fisheries Development and Soltuna companies to make use of the services and facilities provided at the center and use them in the right way.
Captain Sade, the Noro Port Manager also joined others in commending the Anglican Church of Melanesia for making this service available at the Port. He highlighted that in 2014, statistics of international seafarers visited Noro Port was four hundred and sixty five (465). From January to May this year alone, statistic recorded is now one hundred and seventy one (171) international seafarers already set foot at Noro. Hence, Captain Sade further stated that the service offered by ACoM is something very available to the community of Seafarers both locally and internationally.
The Anglican Church of Melanesia also established a similar Centre in Port Vila, Vanuatu.