July 18, 2023

Recently SCI Chaplain James Kollin visited with the crew of the Grande Costa D’Avorio (the ship that caught fire on July 5) at a hotel in Port Newark to deliver last-ordered items and met with Washington, DC-based Philippine Labor Attaché (PLA).

“They invited me to their meeting, and I witnessed their interaction, including the giving and receiving of financial aid. The PLA said they would advocate for the seafarers’ expected claims for their declared loss and damages due to the fire. After the meeting, there was an overall reaction of relief and hope. The crew also told the PLA how grateful they were to SCI for their prompt since day one of the fire. “SCI Chaplains were there to talk to us in our evacuation room at the Port Authority building, and later at the hotel, they provided us with items we needed, such as clothes, snacks, duffle bags, toiletries, and nail and hair clippers.”

I told the PLA about our counseling meetings with the crew and briefly discussed what we do at SCI. They were highly appreciative of SCI’s services to seafarers. And I was grateful to establish a connection with the PLA.

Seven crew flew home that day, and some would go home later at an undetermined time. And others would continue to work on the ship for now.” ~ SCI Chaplain James Kollin

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Shortly after the fire occured on July 5 in Port Newark, SCI Chaplains were on the scene attending to the 28 Grande Costa D’Avorio crew members. SCI Chaplains made daily welfare checks to the hotel where the crew members were staying, and provided pastoral care during this transition. Through funding from our SCI “SOS Fund for Seafarers” (which was created during the beginning of the pandemic for any emergencies and immediate needs for seafarers), we were able to purchase many essential items for the entire crew such as toiletries, clothes, snacks, duffel bags, and other items requested by the crew.