by The Rev. Dr. Bill AllportChaplain

International Seafarers’ Center, Port of New York & New Jersey

From the September 2025 Quarterly Activity Report

For many of us, summer is a time to slow down and enjoy cherished moments with family. For seafarers, however, that reality is often out of reach. Their work keeps them away from loved ones for months at a time, with little opportunity for connection. At SCI, we Chaplains strive to provide companionship in the midst of their isolation, and every so often, we have the privilege of helping bridge the distance between seafarers and their families. This summer has given us some truly joyful opportunities to do just that. For this report, I am providing three such moments we were delighted to be a part of. 

Family Long Missed

We were contacted at the ISC with a request for assistance as the CMA CGM Jean Gabriel arrived at Global Terminal in Bayonne, NJ. The chief cook had a nephew who had immigrated to the United States and built his life here. He had raised his nephew, but the two had not seen each other in more than ten years. With his ship now in port, we were able to help him and his wife reunite with his uncle—a long-awaited and deeply moving connection. 

Family Brings Life to a Crew

This summer, I visited the One Monaco at Global Terminal in Bayonne, NJ, as the vessel prepared for its transit to Asia. During my visit, I had the pleasure of meeting the families of the Chief Engineer and Second Engineer, who were traveling alongside the crew for part of the journey. As the families prepared to depart, there were touching moments as the crew and their seafaring loved ones exchanged farewells. While it is not common for families to accompany seafarers during a portion of their contract or a specific voyage, when ship companies make this possible, it brings a welcome change to life on board. The presence of families introduces warmth, tenderness, and a refreshing dynamic to the shared life of the crew. It also opens the door to meaningful conversations with families about their experiences during the voyage. 

From Gettysburg to the Sea

Among the many packages delivered through the ISC this summer was one that stood out: a box, hand-addressed to a crew member of the MSC Aldebaran III. While most packages we handle are online orders facilitated by SCI, this one was a personal gift sent from Gettysburg, Pennsylvania. 

Early on a Monday morning, with the assistance of security at PNCT Terminal, I was able to board the vessel just minutes before the gangway was raised for departure. The two crew members who received the package joked with me, saying, “You almost got a trip to Canada!” They were thrilled to accept the delivery and eager to pass it along to their colleague.