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Honoring Leadership and Supporting Seafarers at SCI’s 2026 Silver Bell Awards

The Rev. Kristin Kaulbach Miles of Trinity Church NYC and SCI Trustee offering a blessing at the Parade of Vessels during the opening of the 48th Annual Silver Bell Awards Dinner at Chelsea Piers along the Hudson River in New York City. June 11, 2021.

The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) welcomed 635 maritime leaders and professionals to Chelsea Piers in New York City on June 11, 2026, for an evening celebrating the maritime industry and honoring two exceptional leaders: John Wobensmith, recipient of the Silver Bell Award, and Adm. Linda Fagan (USCG, Ret.), recipient of the Lifetime Achievement Award. The event raised more than $825,000 in support of SCI’s work serving mariners and seafarers around the world.

These awards are given to exceptional leaders whose contributions have had a profound impact on the maritime industry and community. Beyond their professional accomplishments, this year’s honorees have exemplified a steadfast commitment to supporting, serving, and protecting the personal and professional well-being of seafarers.

48th Annual Silver Bell – Photo Album

Accepting the Lifetime Achievement Award, Adm. Fagan reflected on SCI’s vital role: “Seamen’s Church brings compassion, kindness, dedication, but most importantly, humanity—humanity to the seafarers who find themselves often in difficult or challenging situations. But they bring humanity and empathy to those mariners who help provide for our way of life here in this country.” She concluded by expressing her appreciation for the honor and for SCI’s mission: “I am eternally grateful for this recognition and for Seamen’s Church and what they do, each and every day for mariners.”

Accepting the Silver Bell Award, John Wobensmith reflected on the people who have shaped his career and contributed to his success: “No achievement like this happens alone. And I am fortunate to have been surrounded throughout my career by extraordinary team members and colleagues, partners, mentors, and of course, close friends. At Genco, I have the privilege of working alongside an incredible group of people that make me look good every day…And this award is as much of a reflection of their efforts as it is my own.” 

Wobensmith concluded by emphasizing the broader significance of the honor: “So, while I am grateful to be the person receiving the Silver Bell Award, I view it as something much larger than an individual recognition; it’s a celebration of Seamen’s Church’s mission, the maritime community, of my Genco colleagues, and above all, the mariners and seafarers who’s work connects the world every day.”

John Wobensmith of Genco Shipping & Trading Ltd. received the Seamen’s Church Institute’s Silver Bell Award at the 48th Annual Silver Bell Awards Dinner in New York City on June 11, 2026. Pictured (from left) are the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt of the Seamen’s Church Institute; John C. Wobensmith Senior, father and former Secretary of State for Maryland; Brian (“Buckley”) McAllister of McAllister Towing and Silver Bell Event Co-Chair; John Wobensmith; and John (“Jack”) Noonan of Binnacle Maritime LLC and Silver Bell Event Co-Chair.
Adm. Linda Fagan (USCG, Ret.) received the Seamen’s Church Institute’s Lifetime Achievement Award at the 48th Annual Silver Bell Awards Dinner in New York City on June 11, 2026. Pictured (from left) are John (“Jack”) Noonan of Binnacle Maritime LLC and Silver Bell Event Co-Chair; Adm. Linda Fagan; the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt of the Seamen’s Church Institute; and Brian (“Buckley”) McAllister of McAllister Towing and Silver Bell Event Co-Chair.

SCI President and Executive Director, the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt said: “This year, we were proud to recognize John and Linda: two exemplary leaders whose compassion, dedication, and service have made a lasting impact on the people they work with and on the mariners and seafarers who are the backbone of this industry. The Silver Bell Awards Dinner brings together the very best of the maritime industry, and SCI always looks forward to this event. We are always deeply grateful for the remarkable generosity that stems from this event and supports our mission and our work.”

The evening opened with the event’s signature “Blessing of the Vessels” procession on the Hudson River, led by the Right Rev. Matthew Heyd, Episcopal Bishop of New York, joined by the Rev. Kristin Kaulbach Miles of Trinity Church NYC, the Rev. Nestlehutt, and SCI Chaplain the Rev. James Kollin.

This year’s program also included a special tribute to maritime industry leader and former SCI Trustee Jim Lawrence, who passed away in 2025. The tribute featured a commemorative video and remarks from his son-in-law, Jonathan Chia of MTI Network.

Additional highlights included a processional led by the Port Authority Police Department Pipes & Drums, the Presentation of Colors by U.S. Coast Guard Sector New York, and performances of the National Anthem and closing hymn by a quartet from the Trinity Choir of Trinity Church NYC.

SCI extends its sincere thanks to the Silver Bell Executive Committee, led by co-chairs John (Jack) Noonan of Binnacle Maritime LLC, and Brian (Buckley) McAllister of McAllister Towing. The money raised at this event will go to support SCI’s mission and programs, including chaplaincy services, crisis response, mariner and seafarer advocacy, simulator training and accreditations for domestic mariners, and data-driven research for feasibility studies that advance safe and sustainable maritime operations. To learn more about SCI’s work and mission, visit seamenschurch.org.