Conclusion

Abstract

Abstract The conclusion reflects on the main findings presented in the book and establishes the contribution that it has made to an understanding of the life and work of port chaplains, the lives of seafarers, and to our understanding of broader-ranging issues relating to the provision and funding of chaplaincy services more generally. The chapter offers some recommendations for policymakers and charitable organizations in the field of maritime welfare and suggests two directions for further research in the future. Firstly, it would be valuable to explore and understand the ways in which individuals may abandon their religious practices when away from their communities without experiencing this as problematic from the point of view of the teachings of their faith. Secondly it would be beneficial to study the value of existing port welfare facilities to a broader range of seafarers, including those of different faiths and none.