Welfare Centers for Seafarers in Bergen

A few hundred meters from the small white house that hosts the center, the cruise ship Norwegian Prima is docked. The ship can accommodate around 4,000 passengers and has a crew of 1,400.

-This is my first time here, says Aileen Castillo from the Philippines. She and two colleagues have just arrived and are busy contacting family and friends back home.

For Aileen and her colleagues, the center is a welcoming service. Here, they can relax, contact family and friends, enjoy a cup of coffee, and chat with each other.

Based on Volunteer work

-Last year, we had nearly 2,000 visitors, and so far this year, around 1,000 people have come through our doors, says Kjell Rossland.

-Today, we've had crew members from Brazil, India, the Philippines, and South Africa . Rossland is one of around 10 volunteers, working at the center in Jekteviken. In addition to managing the visits, they offer coffee, sometimes waffles, and today there are chocolate cookies in the bowl.

This year, the Port of Bergen contributed 50,000 Norwegian kroner to the center in Jekteviken. The Port of Bergen is Norway's largest cruise port, and the largest ships dock right in Jekteviken.

-We believe the Inner Mission for Seafarers does important work for the crew aboard cruise ships, says port director Michal Forland at the Port of Bergen.

-The center is run by volunteers who work hard to provide a good service to the visitors, and they rely on support from us and others to continue their work.

Important Work

-We are very grateful for the support from the Port of Bergen and others who help maintain these welfare centers says Pål Vigmostad, chairman of the Inner Mission for Seafarers.

-But without the volunteers, it wouldn’t be possible, Vigmostad emphasizes.

For volunteer Kjell Rossland, the work is rewarding, and it’s especially enjoyable when someone comes in and speaks Portuguese. He has lived in Brazil and speaks the language.

-But you can get by well with English too, he says.

-We also help tourists, as many cruise passengers walk by here. They ask for directions to the city center and want tips on attractions. We're happy to help. But the center—it’s reserved for the seafarers, says Kjell Rossland as he guides a few more seafarers into the small wooden house in Jekteviken.

- Vi hjelper også turister, siden mange av cruiseturistene går forbi her. De spør blant annet om veien til sentrum, og om vi har tips til attraksjoner. Da er vi ikke vonde og be. Men senteret-det er forbeholdt sjøfolkene, sier Kjell Rossland mens han geleider noen flere sjøfolk inn i det lille hvite trehuset i Jekteviken.