Sailors’ Society looks to virtual future
Sailors’ Society is switching its focus to 24/7 virtual support for seafarers and their families across the world. The charity’s global team will provide a virtual chaplaincy service available to all seafarers and their loved ones whenever and wherever they need support, whether they
Dutch Welfare Work for Seafarers Under Financial Pressure: Report
On March 29, the chairman of the Nederlandse Zeevarendencentrale, the NZC, presented a research report to the Director General of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management. The research was carried out by Erasmus University and investigated the welfare needs
Ship Welfare Visitor Course Online Refreshed with a Focus on Rights at Sea and Security
by Joel Holt, MNWB The Merchant Navy Welfare Board’s (MNWB) popular Ship Welfare Visitor course has been updated with a greater emphasis on rights at sea and security. The course is aimed at all employees and volunteers of charities within the maritime
In the News: Seafarers’ Ministries in North America 2022
by Jason Zuidema, NAMMA Often, seafarers’ welfare is done ‘under the radar’. It is often said that the general public does not pay all that much attention to shipping, a proverbial “sea blindness”. In previous years, this has meant that seafarers’
Gift by Gift at Port Arthur
Article audio (courtesy of Don Sheetz) by Susan Huppert, NAMMA The dynamic seafarers' ministry in the Port of Port Arthur, Texas, is welcoming seafarers to its center with Christmas cheer and boarding ships with gifts. The local Stella Maris outreach operates through
Shore Leave for Cruise Ship Crew Improves
Article audio (courtesy of Don Sheetz) by Susan Huppert, NAMMA Shore leave for seafarers on cruise ships has improved since the decrease of COVID-19. Seafarer centers in the United States and Canada report improved access to shore leave provides reduced stress on those working at
Homemade Cookies in New Haven
Article audio (courtesy of Don Sheetz) by Susan Huppert, NAMMA Cookies make a difference to seafarers. Chaplain Ruth Setaro has been visiting the ships in the Port of New Haven, CT for more than 26 years. Her committed partner in seafarers' welfare work,
Port Saint John opens world-class Crew Lounge for cruise ship staff
Thousands of crew members that call Port Saint John each year will now have a unique space to call their own when they visit the beautiful Bay of Fundy. As part of the newly opened AREA 506 Waterfront Container Village
Seafarers’ Welfare in Aruba: A Preliminary Review
by Jason Zuidema - ICMA/NAMMA Introduction At the invitation of Dr. Viola Heutger, Rector of the University of Aruba, we came to Aruba for a short series of meetings to better understand the resources that could be available to offer to seafarers
NAMMA Releases Survey Report on Seafarers’ Ministries and Welfare in North America, 2022
by Kevin Walker and Jason Zuidema, NAMMA In January of 2022, the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) distributed an online survey to its members, asking about the state of seafarers’ welfare in their ports. Responses were received from 38 ministries