Speaking at its annual AGM in central London, Princess Anne, Mission to Seafarers' President said that the ministry was a "wonderful example of practical Christianity".
"It's hard to overestimate just how valuable this brief time ashore in Mission centres is for seafarers who have spent months cooped up at sea," the Princess said in her address.
"Years after they have visited a Mission centre, seafarers still speak with great affection of the friendship that they found there."
The AGM, which brought together 300 staff and supporters, focused on the challenge of change.
"Our teams strive to meet the needs of seafarers, whatever the need may be. If the worldwide Mission is to continue to serve seafarers for the next 150 years it will need to balance continuity and change," the Princess noted.
She also stressed the importance of finding "ever more imaginative ways to engage with people, especially young people" if the Mission is to continue to care for the world's seafarers.
In the first Annual Service to be preached by a woman, the Archdeacon of Canterbury, the Venerable Sheila Watson said that just as Jesus had challenged his disciples about their preparedness, the Mission should also challenge itself to "cope with the pace of change in a fast and ever growing world". Part of this meant continually evolving to reflect the needs of seafarers, she added.
