On Sunday 10 February, the Thomson Majesty docked during a scheduled stopover at the Spanish island of La Palma, while on its way from Gran Canaria to Madeira.

During a routine safety drill, a lifeboat safely entered the water with crew on board to test the evacuation process for passengers. Unfortunately when the boat was being raised back up, one of the wires broke, resulting in the boat falling back into the water.

Five seafarers were killed, while three were injured.

Thomson Cruises has asked that The Mission to Seafarers facilitate a fundraising appeal to raise money for the families of the seafarers killed in this incident. 

To support our appeal, click on the donate now button on the right.

The Mission to Seafarers will arrange for collections of donations from passengers on board Thomson Cruises' ships until 18 March 2013. There will also be an opportunity to donate online via the JustGiving website. In the event of the target fund of £100,000 being reached, the fund will be reviewed.

The Mission’s director of justice and welfare, the Revd Canon Ken Peters, will advise Thomson Cruises on the distribution of the funds collected.

Ken said: “This is a terrible tragedy and we have taken the decision to respond to the request by Thomson Cruises to provide additional support to the families of those killed. I would like to thank all those who have already given so generously.”