A Step Forward in Addressing Seafarer Criminalization
December 18, 2024
SCI’s Phil Schifflin, Esq. recently participated in the third meeting of the Joint ILO-IMO Tripartite Working Group to Identify and Address Seafarers’ Issues and the Human Element (JTWG3) as a representative of the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA). The meeting focused on the criminalization of seafarers, who may be unjustly treated as criminals for performing […]
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CAS Deliveries Well Underway
December 17, 2024
Christmas at Sea (CAS) deliveries are in full swing, led by CAS manager Joanne Bartosik at the International Seafarers’ Center in Port Newark. Distribution began on December 2, with SCI Chaplains in the Port of New York and New Jersey delivering knits and crochets directly to seafarers onboard ships, while inland river Chaplains and various […]
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Schifflin/ICMA Statement Opens ILO-IMO Working Group
November 27, 2024
Yesterday marked the opening of the “Joint ILO–IMO Tripartite Working Group to Identify and Address Seafarers’ Issues and the Human Element” in Geneva, Switzerland. This is the third meeting of this particular ILO (International Labour Organization) and IMO (International Maritime Organization) group, and it is dedicated to discussing and developing guidelines for the fair treatment […]
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Reinforcing Skills with CME’s Advanced Radar Course
November 25, 2024
In August 2024, the Center for Maritime Education welcomed the Sabine Pilots Organization, Pilot Boat Operators, from Port Arthur, Texas. At CME, they engaged in an Advanced Radar course designed to update their radar proficiency through simulator exercises and classroom instruction. The course covered critical areas such as radar interpretation, collision avoidance, speed and course […]
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One Year of Injustice
November 23, 2024
Remembering the Galaxy Leader Crew’s Ongoing Detention We recently passed November 19, 2024, which marked the one-year anniversary of the Galaxy Leader crew’s detention by the Houthis in Yemen. These 25 seafarers—17 Filipinos, two Bulgarians, three Ukrainians, two Mexicans, and one Romanian—were simply carrying out their duty, transporting critical cargo across the seas to support […]
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EXTENDING GRACE
November 21, 2024
SCI 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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Helicopter Safety Training
November 21, 2024
SCI Chaplains Train to Support Offshore Mariners Working on an offshore vessel, rig, or platform is incredibly demanding. The isolation is intense, with crews often following a “28 days on, 28 days off” shift, without sight of land during their time onboard. Reaching offshore crews can be difficult and time-consuming, sometimes taking up to four hours […]
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New Assistant Director for CME-Paducah
November 5, 2024
Seamen’s Church Institute Promotes Kelly Butts to Assistant Director of CME Paducah The Seamen’s Church Institute is pleased to announce the promotion of Kelly Butts to Assistant Director of the Center for Maritime Education in Paducah. Originally from Columbus, GA, Kelly has been a vital member of the SCI team since November 1997, contributing over […]
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We Reach Further than You Might Think
November 4, 2024
Every month, on a Wednesday, the Seaboard Pioneer arrives. After navigating the traffic out of Port Newark, crossing through Manhattan into Brooklyn, I finally reached the crew of the vessel at the Red Hook Marine Terminal. These farther-away terminals aren’t easy places to reach, but they are always worth the trip. As I waited in […]
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Helping to Balance the Burden
November 4, 2024
During the past three months, I’ve made it a priority to spread awareness about Ministry on the River and ensure my business cards reach as many mariners as possible. While we’re available in times of crisis, my main focus during these discussions is encouraging mariners to reach out when they need to talk. Many of […]
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