A CENTRE for seafarers is set to reopen nine months after a devastating flood caused tens of thousands of pounds of damage.
As reported, the mission was badly hit by the the tidal surge of December 5 last year.
It was one of the casualties when the docks' defences were breached and an estimated £40 million worth of damage was caused.
As the tide overtopped the docks outside, seawater swept into the mission bringing with it fish, as well as debris and contaminated water.
The whole interior and everything inside had to be stripped out.
The fish pond in the mission was flooded and all the goldfish died.
But, thanks to cash donations and support from local businesses, it will open in a month.
Managers at The Immingham Seafarers' Mission said they were proud of their achievement in restoring the centre to its former glory and thanked Grimsby Telegraph readers for their support.
The mission's minibus was also written off in the flood, along with many other vehicles on the docks.
It has also been replaced and a new Fiat minibus will be operating next month.
There will be 11 part-time staff and about six volunteers to look after the seafarers.
Manager Ros Dezelsky said: "We are going to open on September 1 come what may.
"We have kept the service going for the seafarers ever since the flood, even though we have not had a centre. We have continued to provide a wi-fi and internet service for seafarers so they can contact home.
"Father Kelly continued to drive the seafarers to wherever they needed for shopping or health services."
Staff and volunteers have taken toiletries, clothing, biscuits, phone cards and chocolates to the thousands of people who land on ships docking at Immingham.
When it is up and running, there will be a new-look cafe bar available for seafarers and the thousands of dock workers at Immingham.
There will be a seafarers-only area, with more games tables and a TV room.
A plush new function room will double up as a conference room, where presentations can be delivered to audiences.
And hot food will be provided.
Ros said: "We are not a pub but we will be able to serve beer and lager and spirits as well as a range of non-alcoholic drinks."
The mission will be supported by two chaplains, Father Colum Kelly and the Reverend Cameron McDonald.
Ros said: "Despite being forced to close the centre we have been able to carry on and we have not had a single complaint. Most people have been sorry for us.
"The shipping agents on the docks have been superb and Associated British Ports were tremendous.
"We have been here until 8pm in the evening some days trying to get the jobs done.
"The people who have worked on the centre to get it right have been second to none."
She also thanked SBS Epos for providing CCTV cameras, heat Tec for plumbing services, N-Force for security, DMS Flooring services, of Stallingborough, and FSH for the refurbishment.
Ros said: "It has all been possible thanks to the donations of cash, manpower and clothing.
"We have been overwhelmed by the generosity. We have used the opportunity to improve the centre and asked seafarers for requests of how they would like it to serve them. We are so proud of what we have achieved. It is wonderful the way people have helped. People have been so nice."
Seafarers will also be able to read all the up-to-date news in the Grimsby Telegraph, available in the centre each day.
There will be a store of free clothing and woollen hats knitted by volunteers.
The manager thanked all the firms who offered assistance in the wake of the flood.
She said: "We cannot thank everyone enough for their support. When seafarers land in Immingham it can sometimes be for just a few hours. With our transport they can come here. It is a change of area and place where they can socialise. We will help them in any way we can. We have had seafarers whose wives are pregnant and give birth when they are away, so when they get on Skype they can see them for the first time. We all get to see. It is a lovely experience."
The centre, which opens on September 1, will be officially opened on September 18 by port director John Fitzgerald.
Immingham Docks will feature on BBC documentary series Coast on September 12 and will feature Father Colum Kelly.
