X

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More

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 […]

Read More