A new Seafarers' Family Communication Centre opens at Port Nelson on Friday.

Seafarers' Centre manager Milo Coldren says a room at the centre that was being used by the port company has been handed back and refurbished with computers the company no longer needs.

"We did have a couple of computers at the back of the chapel, but this has made a huge difference," he said. "It is open 24 hours and with the light on there all the time it has raised the profile of the Seafarers' Centre."

The Family Communications Centre offers a landline phone for use with low cost international phone cards, there are two computers with headsets for direct calls, one with a webcam and another just for email, plus free wireless access for personal laptops.

Milo says the feedback is phenomenal.

"Nelson is now one of the few places in the world ships' crews can check emails free - and with fast ship turnaround they don't have time to get into town to go to an internet cafe anyway," he said. "Some of the Chinese and Indonesian crew are on their ships for two years - so for them to see their wives and families on screen just lights up their faces."

Milo said it was a great credit to Port Nelson Limited that they had committed to such a practical way to show their concern for the seafarers visiting the port.

ENDS

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