From left to right: Chaplain Michelle DePooter, Montreal Ministry to Seafarers; Simon Grainge, Chief Executive, ISWAN; the Ven. Dr. Peter Rouch, Secretary General, the Mission to Seafarers; Phil Schifflin, Esq., Director of SCI’s Center for Mariner Advocacy, participate in a panel discussion about advancing advocacy for seafarers on the second day of the NAMMA Annual […]
Read MoreBy 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 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 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 MoreMany across the maritime industry remain deeply concerned about the ongoing challenges facing seafarers transiting or stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. While SCI is a U.S.-based organization, our mission compels us to stay connected with seafarer welfare organizations around the world, monitoring conditions and supporting mariners wherever they serve. According to Phil Schifflin, Director […]
Read MoreBy the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt President & Executive Director he Seamen’s Church Institute has led mariner education and training since the early 1900s and has prepared maritime chaplains to serve seafarers since the mid-19th century. In 1982, SCI took a decisive step forward by formalizing its advocacy work through the establishment of the Center for Seafarers’ […]
Read MoreBy Philip C. Schifflin, Esq. Director, Center for Mariner Advocacy At the Seamen’s Church Institute’s Center for Mariner Advocacy, one of our missions is to help ensure that the human aspect of shipping is never overlooked amid geopolitical tensions, commercial pressures, or regulatory complexities. We best accomplish this mission when we work collaboratively with other interested parties such […]
Read MoreBy Naomi Walker, Ph.D. Manager, Special Projects Seafarers on a months-long contract sometimes pass weeks aboard their vessel before calling at the Port of New York and New Jersey. Living and working in the same space with nowhere else to go to decompress means that spending time ashore is of great importance. It’s vital to get off the ship and […]
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 MoreAt a recent session at the International Maritime Organization (IMO), maritime welfare leaders delivered a clear message: seafarers need more than regulation—they need real, human support. Hosted by the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA), the discussion highlighted the critical role of welfare organizations working directly with seafarers in ports around the world. While international frameworks […]
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