NAMMA Conference 2024

Date: September 24-26, 2024 in Newark, NJ

Theme: “Serving Seafarers: First Things First”

Introduction: Seafarers’ welfare organizations have displayed remarkable adaptability in addressing ever-evolving challenges. NAMMA’s 2024 conference, held from September 24-26, aimed to empower these organizations in their mission to serve effectively. Over 125 delegates registered from both local and international seafarers’ welfare groups, and a welcome was extended to partners within the broader maritime community. On September 26, 2024, World Maritime Day carried the theme “Navigating the Future: Safety First!” A novel perspective emerged when the word “First” was emphasized. This shift encouraged profound discussions and presentations, touching upon spiritual and inspirational aspects, preparation, core tenets of maritime ministry, professional growth, recruitment, and vision alignment. Panels and workshops addressing institutional priorities in line with the WMD theme were pivotal.

Conference Venue: DoubleTree by Hilton Hotel – Newark Airport, Newark, NJ

Photos: available on our Flickr photo stream here.

Articles: available at our news site The MARE Report.

Schedule

• Tuesday 24 September
  • Session 1 – Opening Session (Session 1 recording here)
    • Dr. Jason Zuidema (moderator)
    • Dcn. Paul Rosenblum, President, NAMMA and Regional Director, Stella Maris, North America and Caribbean
    • The Rev’d Mark Nestlehutt, President and Executive Director, The Seamen’s Church Institute
    • Cardinal Joseph W. Tobin, C.Ss.R., D.D., Archbishop of Newark (welcome presentation)
  • Session 2 – “First Things First” – (Article and Session recording here)
    • Sr. Monica Clare
  • Evening – Off-site group excursion – Port Tour with Sandy Hooks Pilot boat
• Wednesday 25 September
  • Session 3 – Port and Industry Perspectives (Session recording here)
    • Beth Rooney, Director, Port Authority of New York & New Jersey
    • Kierstin Del Valle Lachtman, Secretary General, Liberian Shipowners’ Council Ltd
  • Session 4 – The Changing Reality of Seafarers’ Welfare – Legal, Digital, Financial (Session recording here)
    • Phil Schifflin, Director, Center for Mariner Advocacy, SCI
    • Chris Watson, VP Marketing & Communications, KVH
    • Hal Ramakers, SVP Global Solutions, Brightwell Payments
  • Session 5 – Priority Partnerships (Session recording here)
    • Sue Dight, Regional Director, The Mission to Seafarers, Australia & Papua New Guinea
    • Jay Brooks, Sailors Snug Harbor
    • Ben Bailey, The Mission to Seafarers (Presentation update on the Ship Visitor app)
    • Rev. Matthias Ristau (DSM) + Rev. Marsh Drege (SIH) (Article and video Presentation on a renewed partnership)
  • Session 6 – NAMMA Program and Meetings (Session recording here)
    • Awards Presentation – Distinguished Service Award Presentation to The Rev’d Judith Alltree and Rev. Philip Vandercook (Article and Video here)
  • Evening – Excursion to SCI Newark International Seafarers Center, Daily Prayer, and Reception
• Thursday 26 September (World Maritime Day)
  • Session 7 – “World Maritime Day: Navigating the Future – Safety First!” (Session recording here)
    • Presentation of Lifejacket from the Titanic (video here) and commemoration of World Maritime Day
    • Capt. Amy M. Beach, Director of Inspections and Compliance, United States Coast Guard
    • Enrico Esopa, ITF inspector, Coordinator East Coast, USA
    • Mayte Medina, Chairperson, IMO Maritime Safety Committee and Chief, Maritime Personnel Qualifications Division, US Coast Guard
  • Session 8 – “Challenges for the Future of Seafarers’ Welfare” – A Recording The Last Dinosaur Podcast – Maritime Shipping in a Digital Age (recording available later in October as a podcast)
    • Moderator – Christopher Aversano
    • Simon Grainge, Executive Director, ISWAN
    • Stephen Lyman, Executive Director, Maritime Association of the Port of NY/NJ
    • Chaplain Michelle DePooter, Montreal Ministry to Seafarers
  • Session 9 – “Workshop – Priority: Our Future Workforce” (Session recording here)
    • Moderator and Introduction – Rich Shively, Executive Director, Seattle Seafarers’ Center
    • Panel of interns and small group discussions
  • Session 10 – “First things First: What are your priorities in service to seafarers?” (Session recording here)
    • Moderator – Chris Moore, Texas Port Ministry
    • Jason Flinn, Chaplain, Mission to Seafarers Halifax, NS
    • David Hulse, Director, Seafarers’ Friend, Boston
    • Jennifer Koenig, NAMMA

Contact: executivedirector@namma.org

Conference Program Committee: Jennifer Stewart (Seafarers’ House), Pastor Marsh Drege (SIH), David Hulse (Seafarers’ Friend), Rev’d Chris Moore (Texas Port Ministry), Helen Glenn (Halifax Mission to Seafarers), Jennifer Koenig (NAMMA), Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA)

Sponsors and Partners: The ITF Seafarers’ Trust, TK Foundation, The Mission to Seafarers, The Seamen’s Church Institute, Seafarers’ International House, Sandy Hook Pilots, ICMA, RIA, Shipping Association of NY&NJ, Brightwell, ABS, McAllister, Stella Maris, Diocese of Victoria in Texas