A Day in the Life of a Port Chaplain at the Queen Victoria Seafarers' Rest

“You need to be made of steely stuff to be a Port Chaplain.”

Crystal Callow is new to her position as Port Chaplain at the Queen Victoria Seafarers' Rest (QVSR) at Tilbury docks in London. The role is full of new experiences: in just a matter of weeks she’s learnt about pilots, tug-boats and port etiquette, which she says has been a “fantastic introduction to the fascinating world of shipping”.

As well as the seafarers, Crystal says the QVSR teams at Tilbury and Poplar have welcomed her with open arms too. It can be a challenging role and isn’t without adventure. “I have climbed ladders onto enormous ships that have made my legs wobble, you need to be made of steely stuff to be a Port Chaplain,” Crystal says.

Crews are invited to the QVSR Seafarers Centre, where those on shore leave can relax, play basketball or pool, enjoy comfortable seating, watch the World Cup, sing karaoke or simply rest. The staff always greet visitors with a smile and a warm welcome. Many crew members are surprised to discover there is somewhere ashore where they can unwind for a few hours. “Seeing their appreciation reminds us why this ministry matters.”

Crystal has enjoyed memorable moments: sharing banter and a lager with the seafarers at the Centre, learning from colleagues in the Port Police about their vital work supporting welfare and security, enjoying a BBQ on the deck of one of the regular ships, and tirelessly trying to remember the names of visiting crew members – “a seafarer nicknamed "TikTok" is a particular favourite”.

There are thought-provoking moments too: “I have stood on a captain's bridge discussing life at sea and been shown a small Buddhist temple tucked away in a cubby-hole, providing a place of worship and comfort for the crew during long voyages.”

At the heart of a chaplain’s work is offering care and support to seafarers and port workers of all faiths and none: “As a chaplain and follower of Christ, I believe that love and care for all people is a language that unites us across every culture and background.”

For Crystal, what has been most striking is the extraordinary hospitality and friendliness of seafarers: “I often feel that I am the one being blessed by their generosity.” The port itself is a complex and vibrant community, with many workers following family traditions that stretch back generations. Everyone has fascinating stories to tell about life on the sea.

As a newcomer, Crystal often introduces herself as a "Chaplain Cadet" – as a nod to the trainee seafarers known as cadets. It always raises a smile and provides an excellent icebreaker.

One recent visit was to a ship called Magellan Eternity. “Named after the great explorer, it perfectly sums up my own new adventure as a chaplain – and perhaps my life motto: forever an explorer.” Crystal is sometimes surprised by what connects her with people she might have nothing in common with. On this ship, she met a Samoan seafarer: “I was wearing my England rugby shirt and we quickly bonded over our shared love of the game – he even treated me to a little tribal dance!”

Crystal feels one of the greatest joys of this role is meeting people from every corner of the world: Russians, Ukrainians, Filipinos, Indians, eastern Europeans and many others who live and work together on-board ships, often in confined spaces, united by a common purpose, something Crystal says we could all learn from. She also laments the fact that these seafarers do not receive recognition for the tough work they do. “Around 90% of the world's goods travel by sea, yet these men and women are often unseen and unrecognised. They are truly our everyday heroes.”

Crystal’s first month in the role has been full of “learning, laughter, friendship and discovery” and she cannot wait to see where this voyage as a QVSR Port Chaplain takes her.