by Susan Huppert, NAMMA For ships waiting in the San Pedro Bay and beyond, Christmas will come and go without fanfare. However, thanks to two dedicated chaplains in the ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach, as vessels dock they will receive Christmas gifts this year. “Those who moor here, those are the only […]
by Susan Huppert, NAMMA From the largest to the smallest, outreach to seafarers is a Christmas priority. As we celebrate Christmas, the seafarers of the world who provide the tinsel and traditional trimmings for us will be lacking their own. No family gatherings or Christmas morning delight for those living at sea. That’s why Christmas […]
by Susan Huppert, NAMMA More than 35 churches are volunteering in the Christmas Ditty Bag Program for seafarers at the port of Seattle, Washington. “People have been so generous,” said Rev. Christi Chapman, Executive Director of the Seattle Seafarers’ Center. “I was blown away by the people’s engagement in this.” The program has a […]
by Susan Huppert, NAMMA Chaplain Marshal Bundren hustles as the Christmas season closes in. He scurries through Menards, Walmart, Dollar Tree and online sites to complete his mission of placing 600 gifts on ships as a message to international seafarers and those on the Great Lakes that they are not forgotten. His outreach includes multiple […]
by Dr. Jason Zuidema, Executive Director, NAMMA It can be difficult to be away from family and friends during the Christmas season. For this reason, seafarers’ missions around the world prepare small gifts for seafarers, to bring a bit of cheer and let them know their hard work is appreciated. Onboard, seafarers who celebrate Christmas […]
by Jason Zuidema, NAMMA/ICMA In a Press Conference, Nov. 23, Luis Francisco Sucre, Health Minister of Panama, announced that vaccines will now be available for seafarers visiting the country on Panama-flagged vessels. Mr. Sucre specified that doses of the AstraZeneca vaccine, branded as Covishield or Vaxzevria in different countries, will be offered to seafarers entering […]
by Silvie Boyd, DSM Port Chaplain, Le Havre, France A new project of the Deutsche Seemannsmission e.V. (German Seamen’s Mission) is taking German and European ports and thus all the world’s oceans by storm. The crew of the Maersk Estelle ordered a basketball in the port of Le Havre in January 2021. Like so many seafarers, […]
Review by Jason Zuidema Maruja MB Asis, ed. Stella Maris in the Philippines: Caring for Seafarers, Fishers and their Families. Scalabrini Migration Center. 2021. 124pp. This edited collection brings together narrative and documents to understand Stella Maris ministry in the Philippines. Stella Maris – formerly Apostleship of the Sea – the Catholic maritime charity, is […]
by Susan Huppert, NAMMA Thanksgiving filled the bridge of M/V Bow Star as the Reverend Brendan J. Cahill, bishop promoter for Stella Maris celebrated Mass with 13 Filipino seafarers at Point Comfort, Texas, the first week of November. “It was a mesmerizing experience to watch the bishop celebrate the Holy Eucharist on the bridge with […]
by Susan Huppert, NAMMA Recognizing seafarers as essential workers and understanding their role in the global market is yielding support for their vaccination needs in various Canadian ports. The Chamber of Shipping, the voice of the marine industry on Canada’s West Coast, is working with four regional health authorities to make vaccinations available to the […]
