Liverpool Seafarers Centre opens £40k Eastham hub

Liverpool Seafarers Centre (LSC) has launched a new five-figure hub on the Wirral.

Located at at Queen Elizabeth II Dock in Eastham, the £40k centre was opened this month by Dame Lorna Muirhead, the Lord Lieutenant of Merseyside, alongside the High Sheriff of Merseyside, the Lord Mayor of Liverpool, the Deputy Mayor of Wirral and the Mayor of Sefton.

The facility will work in partnership with the maritime charity’s HQ at Colonsay House in Crosby as it supports the 50k seafarers passing through the ports of Merseyside every year.

The Eastham hub was supported with donations from the Merchant Navy Welfare Board, Essar’s Stanlow oil refinery in Ellesmere Port, Peel Ports and others.

The chief exec of LSC, John Wilson, said: “We are hugely proud to be extending and growing our operations by opening our Eastham hub.

“The new centre enables us to maximise the support we can give to seafarers docking within the various berths on the Manchester Ship Canal.”

He added: “The crew are frequently on very quick turnaround times, with limited time for shore leave. When granted, an hour of this time can be spent travelling from the vessel to our centre in Waterloo.”

Speaking further, John said the new facility will negate travelling time, enabling crew to “fully relax outside the confines of the ship in a friendly welcoming environment”.

He continued: “The new centre will follow the model of our Liverpool base offering practical and emotional support as well as a lounge, internet and gaming facilities and transport.

“Bicycles too will be provided offering Seafarers the opportunity to exercise within a countryside environment or to cycle to nearby shops.”