By Michelle McWilliams, MSW Chaplain, International Seafarers’ Center, Port of New York & New Jersey From the June 2026 Quarterly Activity Report During this quarter, one of the more significant interactions I had was with Pat, a Filipino OS aboard a car carrier. Back at the end of March, Aileen, the ISC’s evening driver, called […]
Read MoreBy Matthew Morse, Esq. Director, International Seafarers’ Center From the June 2026 Quarterly Activity Report The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) is pleased to continue its strong partnership with SUNY Maritime College through active SCI Chaplain participation in the 2026 SUNY Maritime Summer Sea Term (SST). This yearly voyage represents a vital period of hands-on training […]
Read MoreBy Michelle McWilliams, LSW SCI Chaplain, International Seafarers’ Center From the February Quarterly Activity Report Over the past month, I have been able to fulfill a number of requests from crew members while visiting ships. My guiding principle in responding to these requests is discretion rooted in practicality and feasibility; whether something can be done […]
Read Moreby Chaplain Michelle McWilliams International Seafarers’ Center, Port of New York and New Jersey From the December 2025 Quarterly Activity Report Adopt a Crew is a new volunteer initiative implemented by SCI this year. It provides port and other maritime companies with the opportunity to volunteer in their own space by assembling care packages for […]
Read MoreThe Rev. Mark Nestlehutt President & Executive Director Global shipping remains the foundation of international commerce, yet the well-being of the workforce behind this vast network—seafarers—appears to be under increasing strain. The Seamen’s Church Institute’s International Seafarers Center has noted a year-to-date decrease in offvessel seafarer transportation, as well as reports of decreases in shore […]
Read MoreSCI Chaplains Minister to Mexican Cadets and Crew After Tragedy After the tragic allision of the ARM Cuauhtémoc with the Brooklyn Bridge on May 17, 2025, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI), with coordination of the US Coast Guard and GMD Shipyard in Brooklyn Shipyard, reached out to the vessel to offer support. SCI Chaplains Michelle […]
Read MoreMichelle McWilliams —Chaplain, International Seafarers’ Center, Port of New York & New Jersey From the June Quarterly Activity Report I was surprised to see Aarav again after two months, but this time on a different vessel. He explained that he had been called in for an emergency stint on his previous ship for two months […]
Read Moreby SCI Chaplain Michelle McWilliams — International Seafarers’ Center, Port of New York & New JerseyFrom the Quarterly Activity Report, December, 2024 I recently had the privilege of accompanying Edie and Maggie, two dedicated Christmas at Sea (CAS) volunteers, on a visit to a ro-ro vessel (a roll- on/roll-off ship designed for transporting automobiles). These […]
Read Moreby SCI Chaplain Michelle McWilliams The father, Feno, and son, Julien, didn’t share this information right away. After answering all their questions about going ashore, SAS, and sim cards, we got into discussing home—which was Madagascar for both crew members. They were so excited to talk about their home, their faces lighting up with each […]
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