Services for Mariners
Hardworking men and women of the maritime industry make huge sacrifices to provide the world with a way of life to which it has become accustomed. Spending many months on board a vessel, away from family and friends, mariners face dangers and challenges unique to their round-the-clock profession.
Away from the support of their local communities, SCI gives mariners a place to feel "at home." The Institute offers a warm welcome at seafarers’ centers on both coasts of the United States—one in the Port of New York and New Jersey and another in the San Francisco Bay Area of California. SCI also meets mariners right where they work—aboard cargo ships and on the vessels that travel the inland river waterways of the United States.
As part of its round-the-clock ministry, SCI maintains a staff of professional chaplains with interfaith and cross-cultural backgrounds. Chaplains and volunteers assist thousands of mariners each year, offering a hand of friendship and pastoral care. They also bring with them practical services like wire transfer forms, calling cards, and cell phones to connect with loved ones at home.
SCI provides a wide spectrum of support services—chaplaincy, legal aid, and continuing maritime education. Whenever a mariner connects with SCI, he or she can count on a comprehensive response.
CHAPLAINSBLOG
Meditations for merchant mariners working in America and abroad from the maritime chaplains at the Seamen's Church Institute (SCI)
Click here to visit SCI's floating chapel for the twenty-first century: CHAPLAINSBLOG
Updated every Sunday, SCI’s CHAPLAINSBLOG publishes meditations written especially for maritime workers around the world. The blog also contains a section called “Ask a Chaplain” where online visitors may publicly ask SCI chaplains about whatever they wish.
SCI retains a staff of professional maritime chaplains with interfaith and cross-cultural backgrounds whose traits, work experiences and skills vary as much as the mariners they encounter. The entries SCI chaplains make to the blog—text, images, poetry and videos—reflect the personalized ways SCI tailors its spiritual care for mariners.
Retired Mariners
The Rev. Megan Sanders coordinates events for retired mariners including pastoral care, religious services (as requested), and monthly meetings of the Edwin J. O'Hara Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans.
If you are a mariner in the New York area and would like to find out more about these activities, email us.
The Edwin J. O'Hara Chapter of the American Merchant Marine Veterans meets
1:00 pm – 3:00 pm
Last Thursday of Every Month
at St. Margaret’s House
49 Fulton Street (map)
Rivers+Gulf
SCI's Ministry on the Rivers and Gulf (MOR+G)
Providing year-round pastoral care, SCI’s Ministry on the Rivers and Gulf offers pastoral counseling, support and fellowship to the maritime industry’s employees and shoreside management working on the Ohio and Mississippi River systems and in the Gulf of Mexico. Our chaplains go where the waters flow.
Reach a Chaplain any time by calling toll-free 1-800-708-1998, or email chaplain@seamenschurch.org.
Port Newark Center
SCI–PORT NEWARK
118 Export Street (map)
Click here for detailed driving directions
chaplain@seamenschurch.org
Phone: 973-589-5828
Fax: 973-817-8565
Hours of Operation
M-F 0800 — 2200
SCI’s International Seafarers’ Center, located in the heart of Port Newark, NJ, serves the largest port complex on the East Coast of the United States. SCI welcomes all seafarers and port workers, including truckers, stevedores, and warehouse workers, to this friendly and safe environment for relaxation, recreation, and spiritual refreshment.
At the Center, seafarers and port workers find …- Wi-Fi and use of computers
- International telephone service and low cost phone cards
- Money transfer service
- Recreation (basketball, table tennis, sports field, and more)
- Worship, prayer, and counseling
When seafarers arrive in port, SCI can arrange a free shuttle to/from the Center, terminal gates, and local stores.
On board vessels, chaplains and ship visitors can provide- Phone cards and “top ups”
- Money transfer service
- Meetings with SCI’s Center for Seafarers’ Rights
- Prayer or Holy Communion
- Knitters
- Volunteers
- Religious and civic groups (by prior arrangement)
SCI offers tours of its International Seafarers’ Center and the Port of New York and New Jersey. Contact portprograms@seamenschurch.org for more information.
Bay Area Center
SCI–BAY AREA4001 – 7th Street (map)
Oakland, CA 94607
Phone: 510-839-2226
Fax: 510-839-8193
Hours of Operation
M-F 1000 — 2200
Sat Closed
Sun Closed
SCI's International Maritime Center, located in the heart of the Port of Oakland, Oakland, CA, serves commercial ports in Oakland, San Francisco, Richmond, Crockett, Martinez, and Rodeo. SCI welcomes all seafarers, port workers, including truckers, and warehouse workers, to this friendly and safe environment for relaxation, recreation, and spiritual refreshment.
At the Center, seafarers and port workers find ...- Wi-Fi and use of computers
- International telephone service and low cost phone cards
- Recreation (basketball, table tennis, billiards, and more)
- Money transfer service
- Mail Service – postcards and stamps
- Snack bar and refreshments
- Transportation to local stores, port gates, and BART
- Worship, prayer, and counseling
When seafarers arrive in port, SCI can arrange a free shuttle to/from the Center, terminal gates, and local stores.
On board vessels, chaplains and ship visitors can provide- Phone cards, SIM Cards, and "top ups"
- Money transfer service
- Prayer or Holy Communion
- Knitters
- Volunteers
- Religious and civic groups (by prior arrangement)
SERVICES & MINISTRY
SCI maintains a staff of professional chaplains with interfaith and cross-cultural backgrounds. Chaplains and volunteers assist thousands each year, extending a hand of friendship, hospitality, and pastoral care.