On May 12, 2026, at the International Seafarers’ Center in Port Newark, New Jersey, the Life Saving Benevolent Association (LSBA) recognized this year’s honorees for extraordinary acts of bravery. In keeping with its awards criteria “for the rescue of human life on the sea or connected waters”, the LSBA awarded medals to Thomas Walsh and Frank LaFerrara […]
Read MoreSeamen’s Church Institute was featured on Religion Unplugged in the podcast episode “Ministering to Mariners.” The conversation underscores the vital role of the maritime shipping industry in sustaining the modern world—and how the millions of mariners who make it possible often go unnoticed. Drawing on SCI’s nearly 200-year, profound and storied history, the episode highlights how the […]
Read MoreOn Wednesday, January 15, the ISC was privileged to host a memorial service honoring beloved and longtime Board member James “Jim” Lawrence. Family, friends, and colleagues gathered in the chapel to reflect on and celebrate Jim’s profound impact on the maritime industry and his unwavering dedication to improving the lives and working conditions of mariners. […]
Read MoreMatt Morse, Director of the Seamen’s Church Institute’s International Seafarers’ Center (ISC), recently returned from a meaningful two-week journey to Germany and Poland on behalf of SCI. His first week was spent in Hamburg, Germany, where he visited a number of seafarers’ welfare organizations and centers. There, he observed best practices, built relationships with dedicated […]
Read MoreThe Life Saving Benevolent Association (LSBA) was founded in 1849 and is currently administered by SCI. The Association has three main objectives: On May 22, 2025, the LSBA’s annual awards ceremony honored three individuals with medals, plaques, and monetary awards for meeting the criteria for a life-saving award in the previous year. In September 2024, […]
Read MoreWhen the Algoma Verity’s
captain sought help extending
his crew’s shore leave, SCI
Chaplain Bill Allport
collaborated with CMA
Director Phil Schifflin to
navigate policies. Despite
bureaucratic hurdles, Chaplain
Allport engaged with customs
officials and vessel agents,
demonstrating SCI’s
commitment to supporting
seafarers by providing
guidance, reassurance, and
a trusted presence.
The International Seafarers’ Center (ISC) reports a significant increase in key visitation metrics for seafarers in the Port of New York and New Jersey. The number of seafarers visited rose from 10,179 in 2023 to 14,029 in 2024, while vessel visits increased from 1,770 to 2,301. This growth can be attributed to a fully staffed […]
Read MoreAt 9:04 p.m. on Wednesday, July 5, those title words above rang out on the 12th deck of the M/V Grande Costa d’Avorio, while berthed near the Seamen’s Church Institute’s International Seafarers’ Center at Port Newark. The 28 crewmembers from the Philippines, Italy, and Romania, immediately went to their muster stations, where they began fire […]
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