NATIONAL BANK OF DUBAI DONATES RARE COIN TO "ANGEL APPEAL" SUPPORT BOAT

35 year old UAE Coin Placed on Keel of the "Angel" as a Token of Good Luck at Mission to Seafarers' VIP Ceremony

The Mission to Seafarers in Dubai, part of the international organisation that cares for seafarers regardless of race or religion in over 300 ports around the world, today hosted a ceremony to lay the keel of the "Angel" Seafarers' support boat at the Albwardy Ship Yard on Dubai Creek. A host of VIPs were present and in a traditional gesture of good luck, a rare 50 Fils coin dating back to 1971, the year the UAE was formed, was ceremoniously placed on to the keel.

LOCAL CHARITY MISSION TO SEAFARERS LAUNCHES "THE ANGEL APPEAL"

US$1 Million to be raised for "Angel" Seafarers' Support Boat

The Mission to Seafarers in Dubai, part of the international organisation that cares for seafarers regardless of race or religion in over 300 ports around the world, today launched its charitable appeal 'The Angel Appeal'. The aim of the project is to raise over US$ 1 million before the end of 2006 to build and equip a boat appropriately named "Angel" to support some of the estimated 140,000 seafarers using the East Coast Anchorages of the UAE each year.

The customised boat, to be built by Albwardy Marine in Al Jadaf, Dubai will provide an Internet Cafe, a library with both educational and fictional DVDs and books, a medical clinic with a fully trained paramedic, access to telecommunications and pastoral and spiritual support with a dedicated Welfare Officer. The order for the "Angel" was placed yesterday and the estimated time to build the craft is approximately eight to ten months. Consequently the boat should be operational by the end of 2006, which will be a superb achievement to celebrate the international charity's 150th anniversary.

Funds Raised:	AED 3,650,000
Funds Target:	AED 3,650,000

The Mission to Seafarers is a charitable organisation committed to the well-being of seafarers around the world. Founded in England in 1856, and operating in the Gulf Since 1962, the Mission is to improve the quality of seafarers lives, irrespective of colour, race or faith/belief.

Every year, over 6500 ships carrying a host of supplies and over 140,000 seafarers drop anchor in the East coast waters of the Emirates. They are representative of the ships that deliver an amazing 99.3% of all UAE imports - our every day necessities, luxuries and comforts.