Currently—at the time of my writing this article—nowhere is our mission more urgent than in the Strait of Hormuz. This critical maritime chokepoint is now at the center of a rapidly escalating humanitarian crisis. Thousands of vessels are effectively immobilized, and according to recent estimates, 20,000 seafarers are stranded in the region, unable to transit or disembark safely.

These seafarers are not just delayed; they are isolated, exposed, and increasingly vulnerable. Reports from the region describe crews living under the constant threat of missile and drone attacks, with some vessels already damaged and lives lost. There is also the psychological strain of waiting in a war zone, dealing with limited communication, the uncertainty of resupply (especially fresh food and potable water), and no clear timeline for relief. In some cases, the situation is potentially made more challenging by systemic issues in global shipping that can leave crews effectively abandoned, unpaid, and unable to return home. Seafarers are facing a crisis in the Middle East at the moment; while headlines may focus on energy inflation and conflict here in the U.S., SCI understands that seafarers are facing significant challenges with no easy solution.

This crisis, while certainly the most pressing, is just the most recent among a growing list of crises seafarers have faced. Seafarers recently faced threats from geopolitical conflicts in both the Red Sea and Black Sea. Crises that impact seafarers are not limited to geopolitical ones; during the COVID pandemic, seafarers were stuck on vessels far beyond their contract since most countries would not allow crew changes or shore leave. 

Seafarers are also all too frequently faced with abandonment in distant ports, or with less visible but equally serious issues like fatigue, mental health strain, and legal vulnerabilities stemming from commercial decisions or incidents at sea—all circumstances typically beyond a seafarer’s control.

In each of these situations, organizations like SCI operate on multiple fronts simultaneously. First, CMA advocates within international regulatory frameworks.

At the IMO and the ILO, organizations like ours participate in committees, working groups, and consultations that shape the rules governing maritime labor and safety. Through ICMA, SCI lends our collective voice to these forums, ensuring that policy discussions reflect the realities faced by seafarers.

Second, we serve as connectors across the maritime sector. Effective advocacy requires engagement with shipowners, insurers, flag states, and port authorities alike. In times of crisis, coordination and having a seat at the table are essential. Whether it means clarifying responsibilities for crew safety in high-risk environments or facilitating discussions around daily operations and logistics, welfare organizations play a critical role in bridging the gap between operational realities and institutional responses, ensuring that the personal and professional experiences of seafarers are fully understood and represented.

Third, we provide direct support to seafarers and those who serve them. Through CMA, we equip chaplains and maritime welfare workers with legal training—particularly around the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC, 2006)—so they are better prepared to assist crews in situations where their rights may be at risk or compromised. Our work also focuses on addressing legal and systemic issues that impact individual mariners’ rights. We engage in cases involving criminalization, detention, abandonment, wage disputes, and safety concerns, always working to help ensure that seafarers are treated fairly. In times of crisis, these challenges often intensify. Heightened security environments, shifting regulations, and unclear lines of authority can leave seafarers especially vulnerable. In these moments, our role is to lend our expertise to the discussions and advocate for decision-making that is focused on the needs of the impacted seafarers.

What unites all of this work is a commitment to keeping the human element at the forefront of maritime decision-making. In times of global disruption, like we are currently experiencing, headlines often focus on geopolitical consequences or economic impacts, both worldwide and at home, as rising costs are most visible and felt directly. While these concerns are undeniably important, they should not overshadow or come at the expense of the seafarers who keep the maritime system running