Michelle McWilliams —Chaplain, International Seafarers’ Center, Port of New York & New Jersey

From the June Quarterly Activity Report

I was surprised to see Aarav again after two months, but this time on a different vessel. He explained that he had been called in for an emergency stint on his previous ship for two months and had only switched to his current vessel last month. On this day, I noticed that Aarav seemed a bit on edge. This current ship is over 20 years old, and as Chief Officer, he was facing ongoing difficulties with maintenance. He said, “Every time I walk onto the bridge, something needs to be fixed.” He shared that the office had not been providing the technicians or support needed to make the necessary repairs. The crew had attempted to dismantle various systems to repair them, but without success. It had become a major source of stress for him, especially with the constant possibility of routine inspections, such as those from the Coast Guard, at any port. Aarav told me he hadn’t been sleeping as he was constantly trying to figure out how to address the issues. While he understood that the Captain would take most of the responsibility for any infractions, some of it fell to him as well. He was looking forward to this contract ending.

We discussed the small things that can help alleviate stress, even if only briefly. Aarav smiled broadly and said, “Life beyond the ship.” He recounted how they had sent a tele- communication message to another vessel just the previous week, and due to bad weather, a retired gentleman in Germany had responded instead. When dealing with an unresponsive company office, the messages from the gentleman provided a moment of levity. The message included personal stories and ended with a heartfelt appreciation for the challenges seafarers endure and the importance of their work to the global economy. Though Aarav was not allowed to reply due to cybersecurity protocols, he was deeply moved by the exchange. It reminded him that he was not alone.

“…as an SCI Chaplain: our presence, interaction, and willingness to listen mean the world to many seafarers.” —Michelle McWilliams

Our conversation reconfirmed for me what I’ve learned time and again as an SCI Chaplain: our presence, interaction, and willingness to listen mean the world to many seafarers. Aarav and I touched on other subjects as we continued talking: current events and his home in India. He thanked me for always visiting and not forgetting about them.

While seafarers frequently connect with port personnel or communicate by email, authentic human interaction—grounded in dignity and appreciation—remains deeply meaningful. A chaplain’s role is to embody that connection, offering support and a listening presence. It’s about truly seeing and valuing seafarers, fostering relationships rooted in respect and shared humanity.