by Bridgit Patterson SCI Communications Coordinator With the FIFA World Cup Final in New Jersey this weekend, it is only fitting to remember that soccer has long been part of SCI’s history of serving seafarers. Beginning in the 1890s, crews arriving aboard ocean liners regularly played soccer matches against local clubs. Shipping companies encouraged the […]
Read MoreOn 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 Moreby the Rev. Dr. Bill Allport — Chaplain, International Seafarers’ Center, Port of New York & New Jersey From the February 2026 Quarterly Activity Report For those of us in the New York metropolitan area, late January and early February have been marked by deep snow, sharp winds, and bitterly cold temperatures. In these moments, […]
Read Moreby the Rev. Dr. Bill Allport Chaplain, International Seafarers’ Center, Port of New York & New Jersey From the December 2025 Quarterly Activity Report Autumn brings notable changes to our Port of New York and New Jersey—changes in the seasons, weather, daylight, and the rhythm of vessels. But beyond these seasonal shifts, there are the […]
Read MorePort Packing Day 2025, held on November 13 at SCI’s International Seafarers’ Center in Port Newark, was an all-day volunteering extravaganza led by Joanne Bartosik, Senior Manager of Development and Christmas at Sea. The event brought together an energetic community of volunteers who transformed a year’s worth of handmade generosity into holiday cheer for seafarers. […]
Read MoreCMA Intern, Leilany Rodriguez (left) and SCI Chaplain Michelle McWilliams at Port Newark. Each summer, the Seamen’s Church Institute welcomes a Tulane University Law student, selected as the Center for Mariner Advocacy’s summer intern, to New York City for an immersive experience in the region’s maritime industry. Today, this year’s CMA intern, Leilany Rodriguez, toured […]
Read MoreISC Director Matthew Morse, Esq. reflects on his experiences at SCI’s International Seafarers’ Center and outlines his vision for its future development.
Read MoreThe 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 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 MoreSCI Chaplains Expand Visits Within the Port of New York and New Jersey The Port of New York and New Jersey, along with the surrounding maritime region, plays a crucial role in global commerce, with ships arriving and departing daily, carrying the goods we use to build our cities, create our products, and put food […]
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