The Seamen’s Church Institute brought a message of collaboration and care to the 121st Annual Gulf Intracoastal Canal Association (GICA) Seminar, held August 5–7, 2026, in New Orleans. SCI Supervisory Chaplain the Rev. Grace Pardun joined SCI Chaplain the Rev. Geoffrey Davis and licensed clinical social worker and certified trauma professional Mandy Culbreath, MSW, LCSW, […]
Read MoreFrom 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 MoreThe assessment, released in January of this year, identified five broad categories of stressors affecting inland mariners: demanding work environments, organizational pressures, cultural barriers surrounding mental health, physical health concerns, and psychological challenges such as isolation and depression. Together, these factors contribute to issues ranging from fatigue and chronic health conditions to lower morale and […]
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 MoreEarlier this month, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) reaffirmed its commitment to supporting mariners throughout every stage of their careers through its participation in O-Week at Texas A&M Maritime Academy. O-Week introduces incoming cadets to the routines and traditions of the Corps of Cadets while building the skills and discipline essential to maritime life. Throughout […]
Read MoreSCI recently welcomed its first Chaplain Associate serving the Port of Jacksonville, Florida, an important milestone in expanding the organization’s Chaplain Associate network. Pictured during training in New Orleans, Chaplain Associate Josh Burns (left) joins SCI Chaplain the Rev. Geoff Davis (right) as they visit with a mariner at American Commercial Barge Line. Expanding SCI’s […]
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 […]
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