For decades, SCI has built and strengthened strategic partnerships with the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA), which it helped found in the 1930s, and the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA), which SCI and NAMMA helped establish in 1969. These alliances have expanded and fortified the global maritime welfare network. Through them, SCI ensures chaplains are not merely compassionate caregivers but informed advocates—trained to understand seafarers’ rights, engage in meaningful advocacy, and apply the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006 (MLC, 2006). Widely recognized as the “seafarers’ bill of rights,” MLC, 2006 sets critical standards for working conditions, health protections, and welfare provisions. By equipping chaplains with this knowledge, SCI plays a direct role in safeguarding the rights and dignity of those who spend their lives at sea.  

SCI’s joint training initiatives with NAMMA and ICMA close the gap between policy and practice. These programs prioritize real-world application over abstract theory, preparing chaplains to identify and respond to issues such as unpaid wages, contract disputes, repatriation barriers, inadequate medical care, and unsafe living conditions onboard vessels. With a general understanding of both the letter and intent of the MLC, 2006, chaplains are positioned to recognize injustice and act responsibly. At the same time, SCI connects them to pro bono legal resources through its Center for Mariner Advocacy (formerly the Center for Seafarers’ Rights), reinforcing their ability to deliver practical, effective support. 

For almost 30 years, SCI’s advocacy training was led by Doug Stevenson, Esq., a retired U.S. Coast Guard Commander and attorney. Reflecting on this work, he stated, “Understanding that seafarers entrusted port chaplains with their problems on board ships, we developed training programs that empowered chaplains with resources within themselves and others to advocate for the seafarers,” and “during the five-year process of negotiating the MLC, 2006 at the International Labour Organization, we trained chaplains to raise seafarers’ issues with their governmental delegations which ultimately influenced the convention that was adopted.”  

In 2022, leadership transitioned to Phil Schifflin, Esq., Director of the Center for Mariner Advocacy and a retired U.S. Coast Guard Captain and attorney. When needed, I, in my role as President & Executive Director of SCI, have also stepped in to lead MLC, 2006 training seminars, including this year’s sessions at NAMMA’s annual training in Houston, Texas, and ICMA’s annual training, which was held this May at the World Maritime University in Malmö, Sweden.  

A defining strength of these programs is their emphasis on case-based learning. Chaplains engage with realistic scenarios that mirror the challenges they face in ports and aboard ships. This hands-on approach builds confidence, sharpens judgment, and ensures chaplains are prepared to interpret and apply MLC, 2006 provisions in real time. As the first point of contact for many seafarers in distress, chaplains must be ready to act—and this training ensures they are.  

Drawing on ICMA’s global network and SCI’s deep advocacy expertise, the partnership produces training that is culturally informed, internationally relevant, and adaptable across diverse maritime environments. This global perspective is essential in an industry where seafarers operate across jurisdictions, cultures, and regulatory systems.  

At the same time, the role of the maritime chaplain continues to evolve. Pastoral care remains foundational, but today’s chaplains are also equipped to serve as informed advocates. With a strong command of the MLC, 2006, they guide seafarers toward critical resources, including port authorities, welfare organizations, unions, and legal support.  

SCI and ICMA actively foster collaboration across the maritime sector, working closely with ICMA’s General Secretary, Dr. Jason Zuidema, and its Board. Together, they encourage chaplains to engage with ship operators, port officials, and labor representatives to promote awareness of MLC standards and cultivate a culture of compliance and care. This proactive, cooperative approach helps prevent problems before they escalate and advances safer, more humane conditions across the industry.  

As Dr. Zuidema emphasized, “ICMA and NAMMA are deeply grateful for the work of the Center for Mariner Advocacy of the Seamen’s Church Institute, whose training helps our members understand the legal rights of seafarers,” adding, “it does not make chaplains experts but equips them to recognize when to connect seafarers with the right legal support and having this trusted, accessible resource strengthens our global network and amplifies the voice of seafarers.”  

In an increasingly complex and global maritime industry, SCI and ICMA demonstrate what an effective partnership looks like. By equipping chaplains with both compassion and practical expertise, they ensure seafarers receive not only spiritual care but also informed, actionable support. The result is a stronger, more responsive maritime community—one firmly committed to protecting and advancing the well-being of seafarers worldwide.