CMA Summer Intern Visits International Seafarers’ Center and Port Newark
CMA Intern, Leilany Rodriguez (left) and SCI Chaplain Michelle McWilliams at Port Newark.
Each summer, the Seamen’s Church Institute welcomes a Tulane University Law student, selected as the Center for Mariner Advocacy’s summer intern, to New York City for an immersive experience in the region’s maritime industry. Today, this year’s CMA intern, Leilany Rodriguez, toured the International Seafarers’ Center in Port Newark, guided by Doug Stevenson, former Director of SCI’s Center for Seafarers’ Rights, and Matt Morse, Esq., current ISC Director. She also joined chaplain Michelle McWilliams on ship visits, where she met with seafarers to learn more about their lives and work.
Reflecting on her visit, Rodriguez said: “It was an incredible experience visiting Port Newark and the ISC. Having the opportunity to speak directly with seafarers and learn more about their daily lives and motivations was truly rewarding. Walking through the port and climbing aboard those massive vessels gave me a whole new perspective on the scale of these operations and deepened my appreciation for the essential role seafarers play in the global economy. It reaffirmed the importance of protecting their well-being and ensuring their voices are heard.