BISHOPS from across the Anglican Communion who work to support the Mission to Seafarers, including some from as far away as Tasmania and the Cayman Islands, met the Archbishop of Canterbury at the end of last month to discuss the dangers faced by the world's 1.3 million sailors.

The bishops held a week-long conference, and spent World Maritime Day (26 September) at Lambeth Palace. The Archbishop praised the Mission for being on the frontline of helping seafarers, and said that its work was "sorely needed".

The Mission to Seafarers pro-vides emergency assistance and practical support, as well as counselling, to crews around the world. Its Secretary General, the Revd Andrew Wright, said: "The role of the Liaison Bishop is key to ensuring that the Mission's teams of chaplaincy staff and volunteers in 260 ports, in 71 countries, have effective support on the ground.

"The bishops liaise between the Mission and the wider Church, and exercise a pastoral ministry which promotes and develops effectiveness, harmony, and the smooth running of local maritime ministries in their particular province."

Seafarers today spend months - sometimes years - at sea, putting pressure on family life and their mental health. They are also often victims of piracy, and of abandonment in port by ship-owners.

The Mission to Seafarers has been supporting sailors and their families for 157 years.