by Dr. Jason Zuidema, ICMA/NAMMA Seafarers’ missions in the United Kingdom, the Commonwealth and many countries abroad have shared notes of sadness upon hearing of the death of Queen Elizabeth II and have expressed their thanks for her devotion to duty and faith. For several ICMA members, the loss is direct, as she served as […]
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 development, the Crew Lounge is the perfect spot for crew to kick back, relax, and connect with loved ones.
Stella Maris North America Regional Symposium
by Kevin Walker, NAMMA Stella Maris North America Regional Symposium This August, Catholics of all vocations involved with people of the sea gathered in the Baltimore-DC area to share thoughts on their past and future. Topics included the different ministries of different workers, the life of servant of God Capt. Leonard LaRue, a new Stella […]
The MARE Report 2022
Welcome to this eighth print edition of the MARE Report, the journal of maritime ministry! We would like to thank all our writers and our diverse colleagues in seafarers’ welfare, whose work informs the articles included here. Perhaps even more so than in years past, many of this issue’s articles share the theme of change and instability: shore leave and the emergent ministry of package delivery; internet in the MLC, 2006; the continued plight of international fishers, highlighted by Bruno Ciceri; and, of course, war in Ukraine.
Welfare survey on Ukraine conflict reveals priorities for seafarers
A major survey into the welfare priorities of seafarers affected by the Ukraine crisis has shone a spotlight on the measures being taken to support seafarers and their families, as well as the most pressing priorities in the coming months. The survey was undertaken by the Seafarers International Relief Fund (SIRF) and the Ukraine Charity […]
NAMMA Conference 2022 – Finding Our Balance in Seafarers’ Welfare
by Susan Huppert, NAMMA It’s not the words, it’s the sounds. One by one attendees arrive, pick up a room key and registration paperwork. Then a gentle chatter begins to swell as the gathering of NAMMA members reunite after two years of virtual meetings and Zoom gatherings. Joy seems to percolate among chaplains warmly exchanging […]
Maintaining Balance at the Front Line of Impact
Remarks delivered at the NAMMA Conference 2022 by the Rev’d Canon Andrew Wright, Secretary-General, The Mission to Seafarers. It is a great pleasure to be back at NAMMA again. It is always a wonderful occasion. I am here both as the Chairman of ICMA, and once again I thank all of you at NAMMA for […]
Finding Balance for Seafarers’ Welfare: NAMMA Conference 2022
by Dr. Jason Zuidema, NAMMA Remarks delivered at the opening session of the NAMMA Conference 2022 in Baltimore, MD, August 9, 2022. In the last generation, port-based seafarers’ welfare providers have sought to adapt their services to the needs of seafarers. Smaller, more diverse crews, quicker turnaround times in port, the slow adoption of Internet […]
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 visiting the country. The meetings took place from June 25-29, 2022 and included […]
Serving with Our Heads: Research and Education in Maritime Chaplaincy
by Kevin Walker, NAMMA Maritime ministry has all too many open questions at the moment. Many of our most experienced chaplains and volunteers have retired, and we have new ones who have never served in normal times. Even what ‘normal’ should mean going forward is uncertain: for the better, the ILO has renegotiated the MLC, […]