August 1-3, 2023 — Seattle, WA

Date: August 1-3 in Seattle, WA

Introduction: Seafarers’ welfare organizations have needed tremendous agility to respond to each new challenge. NAMMA’s 2023 conference will help seafarers’ welfare organizations serve effectively. The conference welcomed more than 100 representatives of local and international seafarers’ welfare organizations and other partners.

Conference Venue: University of Washington, Alder Auditorium

Detailed Schedule

• Tuesday, Aug 1
  • Conference Opening and Session 1 – “Ready for the Future of Seafarers’ Welfare”
    • Conference Opening Video (created by Noah Leon)
    • Dcn. Paul Rosenblum (NAMMA President; Stella Maris North America Regional Director) (video)
    • Patrick Gallagher (Executive Director, Marine Exchange of Puget Sound) (video)
    • Dr. Jason Zuidema (ICMA/NAMMA) (video)
  • Conference Session 2 – “Ready to Promote Seafarers’ Mental Health and Wellness: International Perspectives”
    • Sara Baade (CEO, Sailors’ Society and Chair, International Christian Maritime Association) (video)
    • Abdulgani Serang (ITF Seafarers’ Trust) (video)
    • René Andersen (Sea Health & Welfare, Denmark) (video)
  • Opening Prayer
• Wednesday, Aug 2
  • Session 3 -“Semper Paratus: government and port perspectives on readiness for seafarers’ welfare”
    • ADM Steve Poulin (United States Coast Guard) (video) (article at The MARE Report)
    • RADM Wayne Arguin (United States Coast Guard) (video)
    • Phil Schifflin (Seamen’s Church Institute, Center for Mariner Advocacy) (video)
  • Session 4 – “Readiness: legal and safety perspectives”
    • John Wolfe (NorthWest Seaport Alliance) (video)
    • Dave Watkins (CHIRP Maritime) (video)
  • Session 5 – [Alder Auditorium] – “Ready to Respond: Cultivating Partnerships”
    • Bonnie Gee (President, BC Chamber of Shipping / Board member, International Sailors’ Society Canada) (video)
    • Jeff Engels (ITF – United States West Coast Inspectors Coordinator)
    • Simon Grainge (Executive Director, International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network [ISWAN]) (video)
  • Evening – Port tour and dinner aboard Seattle’s Tall Ship
• Thursday, Aug 3
  • Introduction – Edward X. McNamara (Armada Risk Partners) – (video)
  • Session 7 – “Ready for future chaplains, staff, and volunteers”
    • Erica Cohen Moore (Executive Director, National Association of Catholic Chaplains) (video)
    • Erin Burnett (University of Glasgow/Seattle Seafarers’ Center) (video)
    • Jeni Brett (University of Texas – San Antonio/New England Seafarers’ Mission)
  • Session 8
    • Plenary “Planning for the future of seafarers’ centers”
      • Rev. Mark Wodka (Canaveral Port Ministry)
      • Pastor Marsh Drege (Seafarers’ International House) (video)
      • Jennifer Stewart (Seafarers’ House, Port Everglades) (video)
    • Workshop – Kevin Walker, (NAMMA) “The Sea as a Sacred Space”
  • Session 9 – “Mental and Spiritual Readiness: cultivating best practices for chaplains, staff, and volunteers” – workshop facilitated by Rev. Stephen Cushing (NESM)
  • Closing Video

Conference Planning Committee: Dcn. Paul Rosenblum (Charleston), Rev. Mark Wodka (Canaveral), The Rev’d Judith Alltree (Mission to Seafarers – Canada), Pastor Marsh Drege (New York), Dcn. Joey De Leon (Seattle), Julia Cooper (Seattle), Rev. Mario Biazon (Norfolk), Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA), Jennifer Koenig (NAMMA).