Welcome to SCI's Community Connections
A Place to Learn, Engage, Share and Support the Maritime Community
Throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, many of us have gained a new appreciation for everyday life experiences that we had previously taken for granted, such as celebrating milestones with family and friends, gathering for religious services, shopping for items beyond the essentials, or visiting relatives near and far. We now have a better understanding of what seafarers and mariners experience as part of their everyday work lives when onboard a vessel for long stretches of time. In the spirit of acknowledging the bonds we have with mariners and each other, join us to learn, engage, share and support the Seamen's Church Institute (SCI) over the next few months as we raise awareness and build our Community Connections.
What is SCI's Connection?
The maritime workforce transports 90% of the world's goods. These essential workers are away from their families and communities for long stretches of time and face unique workplace challenges and dynamics. The Seamen's Church Institute (SCI) advocates for the personal, professional, and spiritual well-being of these merchant mariners around the world. With programs and services focusing on chaplaincy and hospitality; mariner welfare and advocacy; and continuing education and simulator training, SCI promotes safety, dignity, and improved working and living conditions for the men and women serving in the maritime workplace.
Founded in 1834 and affiliated with the Episcopal Church, though nondenominational in terms of its trustees, staff and service to mariners, the Seamen's Church Institute of New York & New Jersey (SCI) is the largest, most comprehensive mariners' service agency in North America.
Annually, SCI chaplains visit thousands of vessels in the Port of New York and New Jersey and along 10,000 miles of America's inland waterways extending into the Gulf of Mexico to provide a much needed connection to the outside world. Seafarers on our international waterways are sometimes away from their families for more than 9 months at a time, while mariners working on the inland waterway systems have a highly regimented and grueling schedule during their average 30 day on routine. Sometimes chaplains are the only outside people to personally connect with the crew during their time on board vessel.
SCI's maritime education campuses provide navigational training to nearly 1,800 mariners each year through simulator-based facilities located in Houston, TX and Paducah, KY. Connecting mariners with SCI's world-class educational tools provides the ability to practice high-risk maneuvers and test responses that build their resilience in a manner that promotes safety and competence in a cost-effective manner.
The Seamen's Church Institute is recognized as leading advocates for merchant mariners by the United States Government, including the US Congress, the US Coast Guard, and the Department of Homeland Security, as well as the United Nations, the International Maritime Organization, the International Labour Organization and maritime trade associations. Connecting seafarers with legal guidance and advocating for their overall welfare is a critical component of our work -- as sometimes we are the only voice the crew might have.
SCI's Christmas at Sea program is North America's oldest, continuous volunteer knitting and gift delivery program serving mariners for over 120 years! Volunteer knitters connect with mariners by creating record numbers of hand crafted hats, scarves, vests, cowls and socks. These tokens of appreciation are delivered at Christmastime to crews working over the holidays on the oceans and America's rivers.
The world depends on mariners. Mariners depend on SCI. And SCI depends on you.
The Seamen's Church Institute is a qualified 501(c)(3) tax-exempt organization. SCI's EIN number is 13-5562356.
