SCI Mission Areas

Since 1834, The Seamen’s Church Institute has set the standard for supporting mariners and seafarers, meeting them wherever they are and standing beside them through both trials and triumphs. Rooted in the Episcopal Church yet welcoming to all faiths, we are inclusive in our ministry, services, staffing, and board representation. Today, SCI’s mission is carried out through the following key areas:
Three full-time Ministry on the River (MOR) Chaplains are stationed along the Mississippi River and Gulf Coast, supported by Chaplain Associates in 14 additional states. MOR Chaplains are trained to provide crisis response, mental health support, guidance, and a steady, compassionate presence for Inland and Gulf Coast mariners.
Based in Paducah, KY, the MOR Supervisory Chaplain oversees the entire chaplaincy network—coordinating the deployment of Chaplain Associates and ensuring coverage across the Upper Mississippi and Ohio River regions. Additional full-time Chaplains are stationed in New Orleans, LA, serving the Lower Mississippi and Gulf Coast, and in Houston, TX, covering the Houston Ship Channel and Gulf Coast Region.
The Port of New York and New Jersey is one of the largest and busiest in North America, spanning a vast metropolitan area. To serve this region, SCI staffs three full-time chaplains at its International Seafarers’ Center (ISC). These chaplains make regular ship visits, offering crisis response, guidance, information, and a compassionate presence to seafarers.
The ISC is located in the heart of the port, featuring recreational games, a gym, outdoor basketball court, and a chapel. It is overseen by a director who manages facility operations, community relations, and the work of port chaplains and volunteer chaplain associates. It serves as a vital place of respite for the entire port community, including seafarers, truckers, and port workers.
The Center for Mariner Advocacy (CMA) provides legal aid, manages cases for mariners and seafarers, and plays an active role in shaping both international and domestic maritime policy. Operating at the forefront of advocacy, CMA works to protect mariners’ rights while promoting their safety and well-being. It also delivers legal training and policy updates to Chaplains and Coast Guard officers.
Based in the busy domestic and international port of New Orleans, LA, the CMA director frequently travels to meet with maritime leaders and communities, sharing the latest developments in policy, standards, and best practices for mariner welfare.
The Center for Maritime Education (CME) offers cutting-edge online courses and simulator training tailored for the Inland and Gulf Coastal maritime industry. Also, for mariners and maritime operators, we offer assessment services. Additionally, with the intention of enhancing waterway safety and maritime infrastructure, CME collaborates with engineering firms, port authorities, and transportation agencies to produce data-driven feasibility studies that can test vessel operations and construction viability for marine environments.
CME operates two state-of-the-art facilities. In Paducah, KY, at the heart of the river maritime industry, this center features four training bridges, conference rooms, classrooms, a full kitchen and dining area, and a chapel. In Houston, TX, America’s energy capital, our facility offers five training bridges, conference rooms, classrooms, and a full kitchen and dining area.