Winner of MiFi photo competition unveiled

Julian Wong, a port chaplain at Stella Maris, sent in a heart-warming photo of a Filipino seafarer on a video call with his children while on deck of the Arklow Archer at Ipswich Port.

Julian has won £50 in Amazon vouchers which he’s generously donating to the Filipino seafarer in his winning image, a £250 donation to his chosen charity Stella Marris and a framed photo.

'Thank you to the funders for selecting this photo. A picture paints a thousand words as the saying goes. It is simply impossible to put into words how much seafarers miss their families while out at sea, thousands of miles away from home and the sacrifices they make to support their families,' said Julian.

Throughout December, Port Chaplains and Ship Welfare Visitors were encouraged to submit and share on social media images that capture the joy of crew connecting with loved ones at Christmas using the MiFi units.

Funded by the Department for Transport, The Seafarers’ Charity and Merchant Navy Welfare Board, the project, launched in 2019, supports the work of front-line welfare societies, providing seafarers and fishers in ports around the UK with access to free internet to connect with their families and friends.