MISSION ROW AROUND

SINGAPORE ISLAND (RASI)

CHARITY ENDURANCE
CHALLENGE 2015
GOAL: to raise S$750,000 (375,000) for
The Mission to Seafarers the worlds largest international maritime
welfare charity providing help and support to crews in ports worldwide

SPONSORSHIP AND SUPPORT OPPORTUNITIES

Courtesy of Lloyds List - Mission RASI rowers including

Alison Carpenter (back) and Ian Teare (front) at Norton
Rose Fulbright launch event London 11 September 2014

THE ROWERS STORIES

Alison Carpenter

I am a 56 year old woman who wants to be part of the challenge to row around Singapore. It is a massive
challenge and that is very much part of the appeal, however, probably more importantly I dont want the
boat crews just to be men of a certain age!
I want to inspire all women but particularly women in their 40s 50s and 60s and older for that matter to
say YES I can do it. It will be tough, it will require hours of training and dedication, and sacrifices will have to
be made; but we can rise to the challenges!
An additional reason and just as important, The Mission to Seafarers is a charity that has very special
significance for our family. My husband of 26 years, Nigel went to sea at 17 as a cadet with P&O. He
remembers very fondly the missions in various far flung ports of the world and the support that he
personally and many of his seafaring colleagues received. After being at sea for many weeks, the missions
provided a safe haven to visit when in port and provided both spiritual and practical guidance.
The sponsorship money that we are endeavouring to obtain will ensure that the work of The Mission to
Seafarers can continue to provide vital support to seafarers around the world.
Pierre Chevalier

It is a fantastic shipping related event and a unique opportunity to give of my time and energy for a
good cause. Seafarers are the kingpin of shipping, be it for carriage of goods, the oil and gas sector, fishing
industry etc Unfortunately, some players abuse this silent work force. Even if this phenomenon is only the
tip of the iceberg, the abandonment of seafarers is worth mentioning. Having seen some abandoned crew
and ships in several ports, I realized that charity associations are providing tremendous support to seafarers
in times of need. The pressure of time has affected the shipping industry acutely, everything is done under
time including administrative work, commercial constraintBeing a seafarer is definitely not an easy job.
Recently the new Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006 has established a unified standard of working
and living conditions for seafarers. However the implementation of those conventions is still ad hoc and
charities such as The Mission to Seafarers are really needed to fill the gap.
Thus fundraising can help seafarers through concrete and sustainable actions. For someone spending
most of his time behind a computer or shaking hands, Mission RASI will be a formidable challenge.

Ian Teare

Why do this? In my professional life as a maritime lawyer,I have been on many ships in the last 20 years or
so. On more than one occasion, I have seen seafarers enduring conditions over a period of time that have
caused them to threaten and actually try to stab each other - I dont know any other profession that has
the capacity to do that! Seafarers are the forgotten few of the commercial world, doing the hard yards to
deliver all our food and goods; it is it is time for us to do some hard yards to support them.
Brian Verlaan

My late uncle Jos was a Dutch seafarer. Sadly, I didnt have the opportunity to ask if he personally
experienced the generosity of the Mission. However, I am sure he had friends who did, and as a passionate
storyteller he would undoubtedly have had good things to say about the Mission during his time at sea.
He sadly passed away doing what he loved most rowing. So, it is a fitting tribute to him that I pick up
where he left off in a boat with an oar in my hands.
As one of the oldest rowers I also share a birthday with Singapore celebrating my half-century within
a week of our big day. 2015 also marks my 25th year in Singapore (half my life!), so what better way to
celebrate than being part of this unique celebratory and fundraising event? My late uncle always spoke
fondly of his visits to Singapore and I am sure he would have been very proud of what we have set out to
achieve.
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WHY MISSION RASI IS SO VITAL:

Nicky Wynne, Director of Development, The Mission to Seafarers
The Mission to Seafarers must increase its voluntary income and broaden
supporter reach if it is to respond effectively to the needs of all seafarers
and their families, now and in the future.
The Mission RASI team are inspiring a new generation of Mission to
Seafarers supporters. These are the people who are helping to reshape
our fundraising vision and ambitions in the international arena, and will
be absolutely key to the realisation of our service provision expansion
plans for Singapore.
To support this vital project please contact me by email or call my
mobile on: 00 +65 8318 7677 (Singapore); 00 +44 7780 907803 (London)
or send me an email: Nicky.Wynne@missiontoseafarers.org.
The MOL Quartz carried the RASI boats
to Singapore from Southampton. MtS
Chaplain John Attenborough visited the
crew before departure.

MISSION RASI: THE CHALLENGE

Mission RASI is the first of its kind endurance relay row around Singapore. On 22 and 23 April 2015, to
coincide with Singapore Maritime Week and Singapores 50th anniversary year, over 40 representatives
of the international maritime community will row around Singapore Island. These brave people, many of
whom have never rowed before, plan to circumnavigate Singapores 140km coastline within 24 hours in
two classic ocean-going rowing boats.
The project is being led by the following:
Captain Fred Francis, Master Mariner
Paul Davidson, Master Mariner
Captain Lee Wai Pong, Executive Director of the Singapore Chamber of Maritime Arbitration
Mark McGurran, Marine Survey Specialist
Ian Teare, Shipping Disputes Expert for Norton Rose Fulbright
Iain Anderson, Maritime Lawyer for Reynolds Porter Chamberlain
Lewis Hart, Executive Director of Willis Singapore
Tim Lambert, CEO Centaurs Group
n T
 he challenge is for all the rowers to continue their long and gruelling training regime, work as a team,
be fit and motivated to make the project a great success and complete the row within 24 hours.
n T
 he challenge is to raise S$750,000 (or 375,00) for The Mission to Seafarers.
n M
 ission RASI has already generated international press attention, donations and prestigious support.

MISSION RASI BENEFICIARIES: SEAFARERS AND THEIR FAMILIES IN NEED

90% of all the things that we take for granted and that make our life comfortable - from the televisions we
watch, the phones we use, the food we eat, the beds we sleep in - to the cars we drive and the clothes
we wear are transported to us by sea, by as an invisible work-force, the worlds 1.5 million merchant
seafarers.
The working life of a seafarer is arduous and beset by hurdles none of us face in our daily lives.
Challenges facing seafarers include being away from loved ones for up to a year at a time; limited access
to leave their ships when in port; dealing with isolation, danger, abandonment; and the continuous threat
of piracy which looms over them on their long journeys.
MtS is a unique international maritime charity. It invests heavily in ensuring that there are as many
fully trained experts on hand 24/7 to respond to the welfare needs of all seafarers and their families as
possible and in places of greatest need. MtS will receive all donations raised by Mission RASI and will
ensure that monies will go to support vital work with seafarers and their families in need. Funds raised
from this exciting project will be used for the expansion of MtSs programme of charitable activities,
with a particular focus on Singapore, and contributing to The Mission to Seafarers overarching vision: to
always be where seafarers need is greatest.
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GOAL

to raise S$750,000
(375,000) for
The Mission to Seafarers

THE MISSION TO SEAFARERS WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE DO

The Mission to Seafarers (MtS) is the leading international charity for welfare and care of crews. MtS has
been in operation for 158 years. HM The Queen is our patron and our president is HRH The Princess Royal.
In partnership with the global shipping industry, MtS provides varied charitable programs to meet the
needs of seafarers in 260 ports, in 71 countries around the world; the wellbeing of the 1.5 million seafarers
that crew the merchant fleet is at the heart of everything we do.

Our services include:

n Seafarers centres: we have 121 centres in 260 ports, offering refreshments, communication facilities and
welfare staff.
n Transport: many ports are located in industrial areas miles from towns, shops and amenities. We provide
transport so that seafarers can make the most of their brief time ashore.
n Emergency support: in cases of pirate attack, shipwreck, abandonment, serious injury or bereavement,
the Mission is on hand to offer assistance.
n Ship-visiting: to provide a friendly welcome and offer help, support and advice.
n Post-trauma care and counselling: staff in ports are trained to recognise and respond to signs of posttraumatic stress disorder or distress. In the aftermath of pirate attacks, shipwreck, industrial or personal
crisis - we offer a caring response.
n Advocacy and justice: we work to uphold seafarers rights and are in constant dialogue with the shipping
industry, international governments and regulatory bodies.
Helping seafarers in Singapore: The MT Nadiya Melisende
Finding new ways of working, adapting to our environment and delivering
more effective services for seafarers to meet their changing needs and their
expectations of us, includes working in partnership across several centres, or in
tandem with other organisations. We also provide support and make contact
outside of the traditional methods of ship-visiting and centres.
The Mission to Seafarers in Singapore has recently demonstrated a great
example of this sort of teamwork and adaptability when supporting the crew of
the MT Nadiya Melisende.
The ship had arrived in Jurong, Singapore in July 2014, and since it had
berthed, conditions on board had deteriorated rapidly. Aside from the ship
being an unsafe work environment, the ships Captain had demanded that the
crew start performing repair and cleaning tasks in enclosed spaces that they
werent trained to carry out. Because of the risks associated with this kind of
work, crew members carrying out these tasks need special permits on board to prove that theyre trained
to perform them.
Hundreds of seafarers die each year in accidents in enclosed spaces, often due to gas or chemical leaks.
Tragically, some die after being sent to search for colleagues who were earlier sent into dangerous enclosed
spaces.
However, the Captain insisted, and to make matters worse, he threatened to withhold their pay if they
refused and to potentially completely terminate their contracts. This meant that if they refused to carry out
these risky tasks, they could be sent home with nothing to show for a long contracts work.
The crew got together and decided eventually that they had had enough, and contacted the Mission
using its Facebook page. This is managed by the team in the Missions London office, who immediately
contacted the Singapore Mission and alerted them to the situation.
Peter Manimathu, MtS Chaplain (photo above), said: I met up with the Captain together with an ITF
Representative and I personally witnessed how the Captain verbally abused two crewmen and the ITF
officer took note of it.
This intervention proved important, and before long things were moving in the right direction for the
beleaguered crew. MtS ensured the crew were safe, and for some of the crew who wished to leave the
ship, the team ensured that their salaries were paid and they were safely repatriated.
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MISSION RASI SPONSORSHIP OPPORTUNITIES

Gold S$50,000 (25,000) each
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 ecognised as gold level sponsor for the project and named as such in all associated literature and
R
press opportunities
S ponsor logo in prominent position on rowing boat (only gold sponsor logos on boats)
S ponsor logo in prominent position on rowers kit (only gold sponsor logos on kits along with kit
sponsorship supplier featured)
S ponsor logo on publicity/events sponsorship board prominent position
S ponsor logo on project specific display banners as gold sponsor
F ull-page feature in our Mission RASI 2015 Commemorative Brochure print-run 20,000 to be
distributed at various key events during and after Singapore Maritime Week
O
 pportunity to be a part of the Post-challenge Ball, scheduled to be held at a fabulous venue in
Singapore in May 2015
S ponsor literature and promotional gift in the Mission RASI Goodie Bags run of 20,000 to be
distributed at various key events during and after Maritime Week
F eature on Mission to Seafarers (international) website and link to own website.
R
 epeated mentions on Mission to Seafarers social media (8,500 followers)

Silver S$30,000 (15,000) each

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S ilver sponsor for the event and named in associated literature and press articles
H
 alf-page feature in our Commemorative Brochure print-run 20,000 and distributed at various key
events during Singapore Maritime Week
S ponsor logo on publicity/events sponsorship board
S ponsor logo on our display banners as silver sponsor
V
 erbal acknowledgement and thanked as silver sponsor at the event
O
 pportunity to be a part of the Post-challenge Ball, scheduled to be held at a fabulous venue in
Singapore in May 2015
S ponsor literature and promotional gift in the Mission RATI Goodie Bags run of 20,000 to be
distributed at various key events during and after Maritime Week
F eature on Mission to Seafarers (international) website and link to own website.
R
 epeated mentions on Mission to Seafarers social media (8,500 followers)

Bronze S$10,000 (5,000) each

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B
 ronze sponsor for the event and named in associated literature and press articles
Q
 uarter-page feature in our Commemorative Brochure print-run 20,000 and distributed at various
key events during Singapore Maritime Week
S ponsor logo on publicity/events sponsorship board
S ponsor logo on our display banners
V
 erbal acknowledgement and thanked as bronze sponsor at the event
O
 pportunity to be a part of the Post-challenge Ball, scheduled to be held at a fabulous venue in
Singapore in May 2015
S ponsor literature and promotional gift in the Mission RATI Goodie Bags run of 20,000 to be
distributed at various key events during and after Maritime Week
F eature on Mission to Seafarers (international) website and link to own website.

Other support opportunities for donations from S$2,000 to S$10,000 (1,000 to 5,000)
n
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K
 nown as a Supporter of the Event and logo in Supporter Section in associated literature
S upporter logo on publicity/events supporter display banner
O
 pportunity to be a part of the Post-challenge Ball, scheduled to be held at a fabulous venue in
Singapore in May 2015.
L ogo on The Mission to Seafarers (international) website and link to own website.

PROJECT RASI INDIVIDUAL FUNDRAISING OPPORTUNITIES: HAVE FUN

AND GET INVOLVED - FOR DONATIONS UP TO S$2,000 (1,000)

Just Giving
You can support Mission RASI as an individual by raising money via the Just Giving website and showing
your support for the Mission RASI team. They need your energy and enthusiasm to help them complete
this gruelling endurance challenge. Please go to: www.JustGiving/missionRASI
Row for RASI
You can show your support for the RASI rowers anywhere in the world, and raise much-needed funds for
the Mission, by challenging yourself, friends and colleagues to Row for RASI. Your own local RASI event
can be whatever you like an endurance row in your gym, a team competition or a speed challenge on
open water. You can set your own rowing targets and participate alone or as part of a team.
For more details please go to www.missiontoseafarers.org/MissionRASI or email Josh Kubale at The
Mission to Seafarers on Josh.Kubale@missiontoseafarers.org.

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SEED FUNDERS

In order that 100% of all donations go straight to The Mission to Seafarers, all the
costs of Mission RASI are being met by those individuals participating in the event
and by corporate supporters including the following seed funders of the project:

MEDIA SUPPORTER

Lloyds List is delighted to partner Mission RASI for their row

around Singapore. Lloyds List will continue to report on the
best and the brightest ideas that are emerging from this
key strategic economic hub, which is the gateway to the Far
East. Congratulations to the Mission for all the work they have
done in Jurong Port to ensure seafarers are welcomed with their
unique brand of passionate care and round the clock support for
all those who work at sea.

For more information, contact:

Nicky Wynne
Director of Development
The Mission to Seafarers
Email: Nicky.Wynne@missiontoseafarers.org
Direct Dial UK: +44(0)20 7246 2981
Website: www.missiontoseafarers.org
www.facebook.com/missionrasi
@MissionRasi