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 MoreSeamen’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 MoreEvery 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 MoreDuring 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 MoreQAR by the Rev. Nancy Simpson – When I step into the world of mariners and their living quarters on vessels, I bring a heart filled with peace and blessings. I immerse myself in their stories—their laughter, worries, insights, and wisdom—celebrating their joys, whether it’s receiving a cherished SCI knit hat, scarf, or a holiday […]
Read MoreThe Seamen’s Church Institute, along with Seafarers International House, proudly co-hosted the 2024 North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) conference in September in Newark, NJ. SCI President and Executive Director, the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, welcomed the 125 delegates with a speech focused on the issue of “Sea Blindness.” He explained how advances in containerization have […]
Read MoreAt SCI’s Center for Mariner Advocacy (CMA), we regularly engage in discussions focused on mariner health and safety. Recently, the U.S. Coast Guard commissioned the National Academies of Sciences (NAS) to study the role of alcohol use in the maritime industry and its impact on related incidents. In response, NAS initiated a study titled “Prevention, […]
Read MoreIn August 2024, CME made significant strides in its mission to enhance training for maritime professionals. CME Director Stephen Polk met with Tim Studdert, President of Buffalo Marine, to explore ways to further improve their crew training program. Tim shared a valuable insight: customizing barge models to reflect Buffalo Marine’s specific needs would significantly improve […]
Read MorePhil Schifflin, Jr., Esq. Director, Center for Mariner Advocacy Recently, the Center for Mariner Advocacy has been frequently assisting U.S. Coast Guard personnel who encounter mariners in problematic situations aboard foreign-flagged vessels. Although our advocacy work has mainly involved blue-water and brown-water mariners, my predecessor, Doug Stevenson, and I have previously assisted and trained Coast […]
Read MoreEstablished in 2009, Texas International Terminals (TXIT) is a multimodal facility for deep draft vessels, trains, trucks, and barges on the Galveston Ship Channel. Located near Pelican Island, it offers liquid transloading, dry bulk handling, and storage services. TXIT accommodates various classes of ships and ocean-going barges, with new docks set to handle Suezmax ships. […]
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