Founded in 1842, Mariners’ Church was built through the bequest of Julia A. Anderson, who, with funds also from her sister Charlotte, sought to create a permanent sanctuary for mariners. From its earliest days, the church was intended as a refuge for those who lived and worked on the Great Lakes, offering spiritual comfort to sailors far from home. It stands today as an independent congregation in the Anglican tradition—faithful to its maritime roots and its mission to serve seafarers.

The church’s unique place in maritime lore was forever sealed in November 1975. When news reached Detroit that the Edmund Fitzgerald had been lost, the then-rector, Rev. Richard Ingalls, instinctively rang the church bell 29 times—once for each life lost. That act of remembrance became immortalized a year later in Canadian singer Gordon Lightfoot’s song The Wreck of the Edmund Fitzgerald, whose final verse evokes the “musty old hall in Detroit” and the “mariners’ maritime cathedral” where “the bell chimed thirty times for each man on the Edmund Fitzgerald.” Though the church is neither musty nor a cathedral—it was renamed in 2010 as “the rustic old hall”—Lightfoot’s song linked the church permanently to the memory of the ship and her crew. Every November since, the bells of Mariners’ Church have tolled in their honor: 29 times for the men lost, and once more for all seafarers who have perished on the Great Lakes.

This year’s 50th anniversary service was particularly poignant. The sanctuary was filled to capacity, with many family members of the lost crew among those in attendance. The service began with the hymn “Eternal Father Strong to Save”, followed by the national anthems of both the United States and Canada, reminding all present that the Great Lakes bind together two nations through a shared maritime heritage. Scripture was read, prayers were offered, and as each sailor’s name was spoken aloud, family members stepped forward to ring the great bronze bell. For those without surviving family, others—fellow mariners, clergy, and guests—took up the task. Among them was Dr. Jason Zuidema of the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA), who was honored to ring the bell for one of the men remembered that morning.

Outside, a light snowfall marked the changing of the season. Just a day before, a Canadian lake freighter had run aground in the Detroit River only a few hundred yards from the church—a sobering reminder that even in our modern age, the Great Lakes remain unpredictable and dangerous. The snow, the cold wind, and the sight of the ice forming on the river gave the day a tangible sense of November’s perils—those same conditions that doomed the Fitzgerald half a century ago.

Following the memorial, Rev. Todd Meyer, the current rector of Mariner’s Church, hosted a special presentation by Dr. Zuidema on the mission and vision of the modern maritime ministries that are members of NAMMA. His address traced the long and distinguished history of Mariners’ Church alongside other seafarers’ missions across North America. He reminded attendees that Mariners’ was founded as a maritime Bethel in the 19th century—and could again take up a more active role in port welfare today. Though the church excels in remembrance and maintains a living link with its maritime past, it currently lacks an ongoing seafarers’ outreach presence in the Port of Detroit. With roughly 500 ship movements per year, including both cargo vessels and cruise ships docking within sight of the church, the potential for renewed ministry is significant.

The conversation following the presentation was lively and hopeful. There was a sense among those gathered that this 50th anniversary could mark not only a moment of remembrance but also one of renewal. As Dr. Zuidema suggested, the living might best honor the dead by reviving the church’s founding purpose—to serve the men and women who still work the inland seas today. To renew port-based seafarers’ welfare in Detroit would be to carry forward the spirit of Julia Anderson’s 1842 vision and to ensure that Mariners’ Church continues to stand as both a memorial and a mission.

In the glow of the church’s stained glass and under the sound of the tolling bell, the Edmund Fitzgerald’s story once again found its echo—among mariners, families, and all who cherish the memory of those who go down to the sea in ships. Fifty years after the storm, the Great Lakes’ most famous shipwreck still calls us to remember, to give thanks, and to serve.

Read the history of Mariners’ Church in Created for the Ages: Mariners’ Church of Detroit. 2001.

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The CNSWB is composed of shipowners, port authorities, labour organizations, seafarers’ welfare providers, and government representatives. Aligned with the provisions of the Maritime Labour Convention, 2006, the Board’s mandate is to advise the Government of Canada on issues related to the welfare and living conditions of seafarers and build the Canadian capacity to deliver seafarers welfare. The current chair is Debbie Murray, Vice President of the Association of Canadian Port Authorities. Serving as vice chairs are Dan Kimmerly of the BC Ferries Marine Workers’ Union and Dr. Jason Zuidema of the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA). The Board’s secretariat is housed within Transport Canada, ensuring close alignment with federal maritime policy. This diverse composition reflects a shared commitment across the industry—shipowners, unions, welfare providers, and regulators—to the common good of seafarers visiting Canada’s ports.

The opening CMAC plenary session on November 4 brought together the wider CMAC community, featuring updates from Transport Canada, the Canadian Coast Guard, and other national leaders. The discussions highlighted how these groups collaborate to address Canada’s marine safety, environmental stewardship, and security priorities. With the world’s longest coastline, Canada faces both vast opportunities and complex challenges, particularly in responding to climate change and the increasing navigability of the Arctic.

Following the plenary, the National Seafarers’ Welfare Board Working Group met in an open session that attracted a strong turnout. Chair Debbie Murray opened the meeting by reviewing the Board’s activities over the past year and setting the stage for future collaboration. Karen Kancens of the Shipping Federation of Canada reported on the CNSWB Visa Working Group, which has been examining crew-change challenges in Canadian ports. While some facilitation was possible during the pandemic, recent shifts have made crew changes more complex, leaving seafarers often unable to travel home through Canada. The group continues to collect data and to identify potential solutions.

Next, Chris Given of the Seafarers’ International Union of Canada presented findings from the ITF Seafarers’ Trust Shore Leave Research Report, highlighting troubling trends in the decline of shore leave opportunities worldwide, compounding the long work hours and fatigue already being experienced by seafarers. He called on Canadian stakeholders to protect and promote this vital aspect of seafarers’ welfare. Dr. Jason Zuidema of NAMMA then shared updates on his research into port welfare levies, following his 2024 report comparing Canadian practices with recent U.S. research by Dr. Christopher Graham, also of NAMMA. This research has collectively demonstrated the inconsistent use of port levies to fund seafarers’ welfare. The session concluded with Scott Weatherdon of Transport Canada, who briefed attendees on the outcomes of the ILO Special Tripartite Committee (STC-5) regarding amendments to the Maritime Labour Convention earlier this year.

The afternoon transitioned to the official CNSWB board meeting, where members engaged in roundtable discussions to identify key issues for the coming year. Many of the topics—crew changes, shore leave, provisions, welfare funding—reflected the morning’s conversations, emphasizing how national dialogue and local practice are deeply interconnected.

The day ended in a spirit of fellowship and generosity with a reception that invited CMAC participants to celebrate seafarers. Michelle DePooter of the Montreal Ministry to Seafarers organized a Christmas gift-making activity, inviting attendees from across the maritime community—shipowners, labour representatives, port officials, and welfare workers—to assemble dozens of gifts for distribution to visiting seafarers in Montreal. The initiative symbolized the shared compassion that unites Canada’s maritime network, and many participants expressed interest in participating in similar efforts in their home ports.

During the evening reception, the CNSWB presented the Elizabeth Bertrand Humble Servant Award, which recognizes outstanding dedication to the welfare of seafarers in Canada. This year’s recipient was Peter Lahay, long-time ITF Inspector in Vancouver and recently-retired national coordinator for the ITF inspectorate in Canada. In his remarks, Peter reflected on decades of advocacy for seafarers and reminded the gathering that welfare standards like the ISM Code and MLC 2006 only have meaning when they are put into practice.

The Canadian maritime community’s presence at CMAC demonstrated once again the strength of partnership among industry, labour, and welfare providers. With thanks to Transport Canada, the sponsors, and all who contributed to the sessions and reception, this gathering reaffirmed a shared mission: to ensure that every seafarer calling at a Canadian port is treated with dignity, respect, and care.

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The session began with greetings from President Maurice Blanchette, who spoke with deep gratitude and conviction about the meaning of the new space. “This place you have entrusted to us is not just a space,” he said. “It is a home port for those weary from the sea.” He went on to describe the Foyer as “the quiet but essential setting for a thousand gestures of welcome, comfort, kindness, and fraternity.” His words carried through the room, touching the many volunteers who have, over decades, offered warm coffee, clean clothes, a few minutes of conversation, and a prayer to those far from home. “If these stairs [of our former locale] could speak,” he continued, “they would tell of thousands of passages, thousands of encounters, and just as many departures.”

After the president’s remarks, Deacon Paul Racette, who has led the Foyer’s pastoral and operational work for over a decade, thanked the crowd for their steadfast support. “This new space is yours,” he said. “It belongs to all those who care about the well-being of seafarers. May it be a place of welcome, rest, and renewal for all who cross its threshold.” He expressed special gratitude to the volunteers whose dedication sustains the daily rhythm of the Foyer, from ship visits and errands to preparing the space for arriving seafarers.

Among the invited guests was Port Director Gaétan Boivin, who offered generous praise for the work of the Foyer. “I haven’t seen many facilities as welcoming as this one,” he said, commending both the dedication of the volunteers and the spirit that animates their service. “Sometimes it’s the smallest gestures that make the biggest difference when you’ve been far from home.” His remarks highlighted the close partnership between the port authority and the Foyer, a collaboration that has allowed this mission to thrive in the heart of Trois-Rivières’ maritime community.

The business portion of the meeting was held, with reports from the previous year presented to members and guests. The treasurer summarized the year’s finances, noting that despite challenges and the loss of some traditional income sources, the Foyer ended the year in a good position thanks to new partnerships and careful management. The meeting also highlighted the invaluable contributions of Alcoa, which has generously covered electricity costs for the new premises, and of local supporters who have provided supplies and maintenance help.

A particularly touching part of the meeting came when volunteers introduced themselves one by one. Some had joined only recently, while others had served for twenty or even thirty years. Their stories reflected the heart of the Foyer’s mission—ordinary people offering extraordinary care. From veterans who have welcomed thousands of seafarers to newcomers eager to learn the ropes, the sense of continuity and family was palpable. “Our youngest volunteer is only a few months into his service,” said one board member proudly, gesturing to a young volunteer, who attended with his mother. The audience broke into applause, celebrating both experience and renewal.

Following the formal agenda, attendees witnessed the inauguration. The new facility stands as a practical improvement—more accessible, comfortable, and adaptable—but also as a symbol of enduring mission. President Blanchette said in closing, “May this new space continue to be, for a long time, a house of friendship, solidarity, and humanity.”

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Representatives of more than fifteen organizations gathered on September 9, 2025, for the NAMMA East Gulf Coast Regional Meeting. With the distinctive vibe of life “south of I-10,” the meeting took place at the Port Ministry Center of Global Maritime Ministries, just yards from the Mississippi River.

The conference coordinators, Deacon John Archer (Stella Maris, Mobile, AL) and Reverend Stephen McKinney (Global Maritime Ministries, NOLA), prepared sessions for the thirty-five attendees around the theme “Vision: What Can We Do To Support Seafarers’ Welfare for a Next Generation?” Chaplains, leaders, and volunteers from the ports of Gonzales, South Louisiana, New Orleans, Pascagoula, Mobile, Manatee, and Port Arthur forged and strengthened their relationships throughout the day.

The program opened with breakfast and a session on expanding the vision by promoting partnerships to serve seafarers. This session highlighted the strong relationships between New Orleans ministries and their port partners. Dwayne Boudreaux, International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Inspector for the Gulf Coast, shared guidance on how ship visitors and ITF inspectors can work together to help seafarers, especially those in distress. Terri Edwards, U.S. Customs and Border Protection Port Director, and Captain Gregory Callaghan, U.S. Coast Guard Sector Commander, both spoke of the beneficial role that port ministers play in the port community and the importance of cultivating these relationships for seafarers’ well-being. Several members of Capt. Callaghan’s staff were in attendance. Lieutenant Scott Wingfield, Facilities Compliance Branch Chief, explained how extensive efforts have led to noticeable improvements in seafarer access. He noted that the sector’s Marine Safety Information Bulletin has been a key tool in clarifying for port and terminal operators the federal requirements regarding seafarer access.

NAMMA member Phil Schifflin, Esq., updated participants on his advocacy work, emphasizing his availability to NAMMA members as Director of the Center for Mariner Advocacy of The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI). He and his SCI colleague, Chaplain Joy Manthey, described the unique and vital role of those serving operators on the inland waterways. Dr. Christopher Graham, Assistant Director of NAMMA, then shared findings from his research on the 83 entities providing seafarers’ welfare in 63 U.S. ports. He also summarized key points from the soon-to-be-released report on the collection of vessel fees for seafarer welfare.

Deacon Archer and Reverend Philip Vandercook (Global Maritime Ministries, NOLA) led a session on “Attracting a Next Generation: Best Practices in Recruitment and Retention of Staff and Volunteers.” Both emphasized the importance of identifying and preparing individuals who can carry the work into the future. Port ministries, even when affiliated with larger religious or organizational bodies, depend on the dedication of those serving locally. Without intentional succession planning, even strong ministries risk fading away.

No gathering in South Louisiana is complete without a flavorful meal. Deacon Wayne and Toni Lobell (Stella Maris, New Orleans) treated attendees to a jambalaya lunch, while Global Maritime Ministries volunteers served bread pudding and cheesecake for dessert. During lunch, Kurt Rovenstine shared information about resources available to seafarer centers from Bibles for China which works in partnership with the Merchant Navy Bible Society.

Rev. McKinney then moderated a panel of fundraising experts. Shannon Escarra of the nonprofit organization Crossroads and Jennifer Drummer, owner of Drummer Consulting, drew on their extensive experience in nonprofit development to offer guidance on presenting the vision of seafarers’ welfare in ways that inspire support. Dr. Mike Wetzel and Mark Hagelman from the Advancement Office at New Orleans Baptist Theological Seminary added insights from a biblical perspective on cultivating donors and supporters.

The day concluded with participants sharing both milestones to celebrate and challenges to address in their ports. Reverend Chad Gilbert, Pastor of First Baptist Church of New Orleans, closed the meeting with an encouraging word from Psalm 1 about the vital work to which participants would return.

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Review by Jason Zuidema (NAMMA)

The United States Coast Guard has long been one of the most trusted guardians of the maritime world. For merchant mariners in distress, the Coast Guard is often the difference between tragedy and survival. Its cutters, helicopters, and crews embody vigilance and sacrifice, patrolling the coasts and responding to calls that come at all hours in every kind of weather. For those of us in maritime ministry, the Coast Guard is also a valued partner. Local port welfare organizations regularly interact with Coast Guard personnel, ensuring that seafarers are safe and supported when they reach port. It is therefore a special pleasure to read a book that not only recounts extraordinary rescues but also helps us get to know one of the Coast Guard’s most remarkable individuals.

New England’s Lifesaver: Coast Guard Legend Master Chief Jack Downey is authored by Capt. W. Russell Webster and Capt. Michael Cicalese, both retired from the Coast Guard. For the NAMMA community, Capt. Cicalese is well known as the current chairperson of the Managers of the Boston Port and Seamen’s Aid Society, the historic institution that today continues its work through Mariner’s House in Boston. His involvement in this book highlights the continuity between the lifesaving mission of the Coast Guard and the ongoing ministry of hospitality and care for seafarers in port and ashore.

The subject of this volume, Master Chief John E. “Jack” Downey (1947–2022), was one of the most storied figures in the modern history of the service. A Rhode Island native, Downey grew up near the Coast Guard station at Point Judith, a location that would shape his entire life. He enlisted in 1966, beginning a career that would last forty-two years, all within District 1, the New England region. Over the course of that career he was credited with saving more than seven hundred lives across more than five thousand rescues. His work touched nearly every kind of maritime emergency in the region: the rescue of ferry passengers, distressed fishermen, and elderly cruise ship passengers, as well as leading roles in the search for John F. Kennedy Jr.’s downed plane in 1999 and in the response to EgyptAir Flight 990 later that same year.

The book carefully balances the facts of Downey’s record with the stories that reveal his personality. He was demanding, uncompromising, and at times controversial. His leadership style could be harsh, and the authors do not conceal the fact that some who served under him found his standards difficult to bear. Yet over and over, the testimonies gathered in this book point to the transformative effect he had on those around him. Many who initially resented his strictness later acknowledged that they became better mariners and better leaders because of him. The Coast Guard recognized his unique influence by naming him its first “Ancient Keeper,” a title honoring his lifetime devotion to boat forces and lifesaving tradition.

At 174 pages, the book is concise yet substantial. Its thirteen chapters trace Downey’s life from his boyhood to his retirement, interwoven with stories of devotion, rescues, and leadership. Nine appendices provide additional material, including personal recollections, tributes, and official documents. Particularly striking are the firsthand accounts collected from shipmates and colleagues, many of which reveal both Downey’s unvarnished style and his humor. His so-called “Downey-isms” became part of Coast Guard lore, and they illustrate how leadership is often conveyed not only through decisions but also through the sayings and stories that live on in memory.

One of the most valuable aspects of this book is the way it situates Downey’s career within the larger history of the Coast Guard. His work illustrates the transformation of small-boat safety, the evolving role of the reserve, and the development of leadership training at the Coast Guard Academy. By telling Downey’s story, the authors also tell the story of how the Coast Guard itself adapted to new challenges over the last half-century. This context is particularly important for those outside the service, including readers in port welfare and ministry. It shows how the Coast Guard’s identity has always been bound up with the broader maritime community, responding not only to national security demands but also to the everyday dangers faced by merchant mariners.

For the NAMMA audience, there is a direct resonance here. The seafarers whom Downey and his crews rescued were often merchant mariners, the very men and women whom port welfare organizations continue to serve when they arrive in our ports.

The book is also important because it humanizes the uniform. Too often, the Coast Guard is known only by its institutional presence—a cutter on the horizon, a boarding team at the gangway, a helicopter circling overhead. But in New England’s Lifesaver, we meet the person behind the uniform. We encounter Jack Downey as a boy enthralled by the sea, as a young apprentice learning the trade, as a stern but passionate leader, and as an aging veteran still committed to passing on wisdom to the next generation. For those of us who often work alongside the Coast Guard but may not know the individuals who serve, this book offers a valuable window into their world.

It is worth noting that the authors themselves bring credibility and perspective. Both retired captains, they write as insiders who understand the service intimately. Their admiration for Downey is clear, but so too is their honesty about his faults. This balance gives the book its strength.

Book available for purchase here at Arcadia publishing.

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On August 27, I had the privilege of visiting the Congregational Library and Archives in Boston, Massachusetts, together with the Rev. David Hulse, Executive Director of Seafarers’ Friend in Boston. Walking through the library’s historic building, surrounded by shelves of carefully preserved records, I was struck by how much these collections matter—not only to scholars, but to anyone who cares about the long story of Christian service. The Congregational Library & Archives (14 Beacon Street, Suite 200, Boston) has been around since 1853, and its mission has been to gather and safeguard congregational and benevolent histories from the more than 400 years of the Congregational story. These archives are not just dusty folders or forgotten scrapbooks. They are living testimonies of people of faith who sought to serve their communities, and in particular, of those who dedicated themselves to caring for seafarers who passed through this great port city.

One of the treasures of this archive is the Boston Seaman’s Friend Society collection, deposited in 1988. Dr. Kyle Roberts, Executive Director of the Congregational Library and Archives, explained the importance of this collection. “We actively collect the congregational story across the country and around the world, but also locally,” he said. “The Boston Seaman’s Friend Society collection has been here since 1988. David’s predecessors had the wisdom to give that collection. I think we were so excited to get it, because it is one of the most important Boston benevolent organizations. And to have an institution that’s going to be 200 years in what—2027—it’s an honor for us to be entrusted with that collection and to be able to make it accessible to scholars who are interested in this important part both of the city’s history, but also of the Christian benevolent landscape.”

Hearing Roberts speak put the visit into perspective. The Congregational Library and Archives is one of a number of archives across North America that are entrusted with preserving the documents of seafarers’ welfare organizations. These institutions provide researchers with the opportunity to trace how missions were run, how chaplains and staff were trained, how funds were raised, and how, above all, these groups kept their vision of service front and center through turbulent decades of social and maritime change. For anyone serving in this work today, studying the past is not only an act of remembrance but also an opportunity to learn. There are practices from the nineteenth or twentieth centuries—whether in fundraising, governance, or staff formation—that still speak powerfully into our contemporary challenges.

Rev. David Hulse, as the leader of Seafarers’ Friend today, expressed how important this partnership is for him and his organization. “As Kyle said, we are on the doorstep of our 200th anniversary,” he told me. “While our current mission is, first and foremost, to care for seafarers, part of my role is the steward of this organization. We have such a rich and long history—there’s no way I could keep it all. And so, to have a partner like Kyle and his team to manage all of this for us is just a godsend. I don’t have the ability to manage it, but he and his team do. And it keeps our history here, and it keeps it alive.”

That sense of keeping history “alive” was tangible as we flipped through one of the scrapbooks from Seafarers’ Friend’s past. In an age of social media, physical scrapbooks are no longer common. Rev. Hulse shared, “I’m just grateful for the countless men and women who have shepherded my organization through the two centuries we’ve been around to keep our story and to do all of this.” His humility and gratitude summed up the value of the archives: they are not just places where old stories are kept, but spaces where those who serve today can find inspiration to record their own story faithfully.

For me, the visit was both humbling and motivating. It reminded me that archives are not afterthoughts for seafarers’ welfare organizations, but can continue to be essential parts of their mission. They testify to the faithfulness of those who came before, and they give future generations the tools to learn from our own efforts. As we face the 21st-century challenges of global shipping, seafarers’ wellbeing, and the sustainability of our ministries, it is heartening to know that we do not face them alone. The past is a companion on the journey, preserved in safe hands, ready to teach us how others trained their staff, raised their funds, and carried forward their vision. In the quiet reading rooms of Boston’s Congregational Library and Archives, the voices of two centuries whisper their encouragement to us today: keep the story alive, for the sake of those who will come after.

Featured Image: Kyle Roberts (director), Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA), Billy McCarthy (archivist) and Rev. David Hulse (Seafarer’s Friend, Boston). (NAMMA Flickr)

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Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA): Father Ian, how did you end up being here in Panama, working for the Mission to Seafarers?

Fr. Ian Hutchinson Cervantes: I came here because I met the previous Secretary General of the Mission to Seafarers at a conference in the UK, and he asked me to undertake a review of some of the chaplaincies in the region, largely because I speak Spanish and Portuguese, and I also know the countries where the chaplaincies are located. So I did that review for the Mission to Seafarers. Following that, I was invited to apply for the post of Regional Director for Latin America and the Caribbean, and to come to Panama to begin setting in place pastoral care and welfare services for seafarers.

Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA): In a thumbnail sketch, what did you find in your study of the region? What were the main findings of your research?

Fr. Ian Hutchinson Cervantes: I visited port chaplaincies in Brazil. What struck me most was how isolated the ports are from major urban centers. One in particular, Vila do Conde, is up a tributary of the Amazon River, with vessels sitting out at anchorage in stifling, humid heat for two or three weeks at a time as they wait for a berth. When they finally come into port, there is nowhere to go, nothing to do, and nobody there to offer friendship or hospitality.

So, yes, isolated port chaplaincies—but with extraordinary people trying to make a difference for seafarers and offering a ministry of hospitality and friendship. I found that hugely inspiring.

Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA): Since you’ve begun as Regional Director, what have been the key accomplishments?

Fr. Ian Hutchinson Cervantes: Very good question. In terms of Panama, where I function as a port chaplain, I started on my own and then had the great joy and blessing of colleagues coming alongside. From a one-man band doing fairly basic ministry, we now have a team.

As you saw today when we went to the Maritime Authority, we are now able to go into places and encounter gatekeepers, decision makers, and policy makers. If not to influence decisions—because that may be too grand a claim—at least to offer suggestions and encourage a slightly different way of looking at things. That has been a great source of joy to me. I don’t claim any merit; I’ve simply been fortunate to be in the right place at the right time and to encounter people who absolutely get it.

In the wider region, I would point to the new chaplaincy in Puerto Limón, Costa Rica. This was the dream of a retired Anglican priest in the Diocese of Costa Rica, whose son is a seafarer. He approached us saying, “We need to do something.” We were able to come alongside him and help get something started where there had been nothing. Now his daughter, recently ordained a deacon, is taking over and developing that ministry further.

Another example is the port of Açu in Brazil, where Anglo American, the mining company, expressed a desire for pastoral care and welfare services for the crews manning their ships. They have assisted us by funding a significant portion of the costs. This has enabled us to pioneer, as a mission agency, a model of partnership with the industry to serve seafarers in a port that otherwise would have been forgotten.

Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA): In regions like North America or Europe, there are long-established seafarers’ welfare organizations. What are the challenges here in Latin America that people in those regions might not even believe if you told them?

Fr. Ian Hutchinson Cervantes: There are several, and they are by no means overcome. First, there is sheer ignorance—not in a pejorative sense, but simply a lack of knowledge about the needs of seafarers. In this region, very little is offered to them. There are some well-established port chaplaincies on the Atlantic coast of South America, but there is nothing on the Pacific coast—nothing at all in Peru, Chile, or Ecuador. Seafarers are assumed to be ordinary workers like anyone else, and the particular challenges they face are not recognized. That lack of awareness, and with it a lack of empathy or compassion, is one of the greatest challenges.

Second, in this part of the world, we are not accustomed to volunteering as in the English-speaking world, nor to giving to “charity.” The expectation is often to receive charity from outside—particularly the United States, Canada, or Europe—not to put our own hands in our pockets and contribute. Overcoming that cultural barrier is very hard.

Third, the distances. You can fit pretty much the whole of Europe into Brazil, and then add Argentina, Peru, Chile, and other countries. The distances between chaplaincies are vast, and travel within the region is very expensive. Offering pastoral care, encouragement, and resources to isolated chaplains is a huge challenge. One of my joys and goals is to identify people who are vocationally motivated and to come alongside them, nurturing their vocations and equipping them with the tools they need. That’s why the NAMMA course in Houston is so important for us—it gives our people the chance to equip themselves for ministry.

Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA): One last question. In the past, South American missions were tied closely to European headquarters. Increasingly, there are more connections to North America. How has it been useful for you to be connected to NAMMA?

Fr. Ian Hutchinson Cervantes: We have a saying in Spanish that something falls by its own weight—it is just obvious. For example, a significant percentage of vessels coming through the Canal sail from the Atlantic seaboard of North America to the Pacific seaboard, or from the East Coast of North America to Chile and Peru to get minerals like lithium, copper, and timber. There is a constant flow between North and South America.

So it is the most obvious thing in the world that if we are engaged in seafarers’ welfare—care, companionship, hospitality, diaconal ministry—then North, Central, and South America should be in constant contact with each other. We can refer people, vessels, and crews to one another. That continuity of care can be life-saving, as we saw during the pandemic when mental health challenges were widespread in the maritime industry.

I still visit a crew whose vessel calls in Panama and sails all the way to Tauranga, New Zealand. During the pandemic, they were desperate for vaccines. They couldn’t get them in Panama or anywhere else. I contacted the Mission to Seafarers in New Zealand, and they immediately organized vaccinations with the Ministry of Health. The crew still thank me for that single email. That is why this collaboration is so important.

Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA): That’s a poignant remark to end on. Thank you so much, Father Ian, for your insight and hospitality here in Panama.

Fr. Ian Hutchinson Cervantes: Pleasure. It’s been a joy.

Photo: Fr. Ian with a seafarer on Seafarers’ Mission Panama Facebook.

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Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA): Could you introduce yourself?

Andrea Meenken: Andrea Meenken, Deutsche Seemannsmission, German Seafarers’ Mission.

Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA): Can you tell us a bit about how you got involved in the German Seafarers’ Mission here in Panama?

Andrea Meenken: The German Seafarers’ Mission was granted financial support by the Ministry of Transport in Germany, and it was possible to establish a new mission. They were wondering which of all ports would be a good place. At that time, I was already in Panama, and I tried to make everything possible so that they would consider Panama. Panama is a super hub, and there is not much of a welfare or well-being service landscape in this region. So they decided to do this work here, and to do it with me.

Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA): Can you tell me a bit about how you got involved in seafarers’ welfare originally? What was your first contact, and how did you end up here in Panama?

Andrea Meenken: I actually did an internship after I finished school in our church congregation, and I was able to do internships in several institutions of that church. The Seamen’s Hotel [in my city of Emden, Germany] was one of them, and that’s how I initially got in contact with the seafarers’ mission. That was in 1999. I’ve not always been active, but I’ve always been involved with seafarers, their well-being, and the developments in the seafaring industry.

Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA): In the years you’ve been involved in the seafarers’ mission, what are some of the opportunities or developments that you’ve seen? Have things remained the same, or have there been new challenges in seafarers’ welfare?

Andrea Meenken: I think the internet and the possibilities it brings is a big change, though not only for good. Of course, connectivity is way better today than it was back then, or even ten years ago. However, it can also have something toxic and distracting. I think the advantages of digitalization are definitely more than the disadvantages, and I’m very happy whenever I hear a seafarer say, “We have Wi-Fi on board, and it’s actually working well for us.” Because the fact that a vessel has internet or good Wi-Fi doesn’t mean that everyone can really participate and have access.

In terms of exploitation, I see the same things that I saw back then. However, with the MLC[,2006] there are probably more options now for organizations like ours to have a legitimate part in the seafaring industry, and I think that’s a good process. Sometimes it’s a bit slow because some countries take their time—or don’t take it too seriously—like here in Panama. But overall, it’s a positive step.

Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA): Can you do a compare and contrast between serving seafarers in Germany and serving seafarers here in Panama? What are the sorts of things you can do in Germany that you can’t do here—or vice versa?

Andrea Meenken: The first thing is that the Seafarers’ Mission—the ministry to seafarers, their well-being, and the support of seafarers’ dignity, as is the slogan of the German Seafarers’ Mission—is well established in Germany. Here, we are pioneers. The Mission to Seafarers started, and then Stella Maris joined in, but in Panama no one really cares for seafarers, even though the country is known worldwide for the Canal.

We have to explain ourselves again and again with every change of government. We knock on many doors, hold many meetings, but some doors never open. That is something really different from Germany. And then the level of security here is also very different. After 9/11, there were new restrictions in Germany, but here it is far more intense. For example, we have to use transparent plastic bags for our welcome packs—we cannot wrap Christmas presents, they must be see-through. We always open our backpacks at port entrances, and sometimes there are drug-sniffing dogs. The level of security here is much higher than in Germany.

Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA): What’s the situation with shore leave? Do you have any shore-based facilities here in Panama? If not, why not?

Andrea Meenken: There is a seafarers’ center run by the Canal Engineers’ Union, with contributions from the Port Authority. However, it’s been closed since I arrived five years ago. So it doesn’t really exist for seafarers. We have considered opening something here, but geographically it’s complicated. We are in charge of both the Pacific and Atlantic sides, and it’s a one-and-a-half-hour drive between them. If we built something in one place, only seafarers from that terminal would benefit.

That’s why we focus instead on ship visits, transportation, and shopping services. Even if seafarers are allowed ashore, many can’t because Panama is such a busy port. And the shore leave situation is very complex. There are many reasons why seafarers don’t go ashore—often not corruption exactly, but a lack of will to do the necessary paperwork. Sometimes they are charged horrendous fees. If a seafarer gets a four-hour shore leave, two hours might be lost at the gate with paperwork, another hour in traffic—so in the end, how much time do they really get?

Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA): You’ve outlined a number of challenges. But what about the joys? What keeps your passion alive in this work, and why is serving seafarers such a beautiful thing here in Panama and around the world?

Andrea Meenken: Actually, the challenges motivate us because seafarers are so worth it. When they ask me why I do this, I say, “Because you are doing everything you can. You are away from your families for such a long time. You risk your life every day, because it’s a very dangerous job you do, with so many sacrifices. Someone has to give something back to you.”

That’s mainly why I do it. Seafarers are often forgotten and unseen. We want to give them a voice, a face, and be there for them. And I think the challenges are exactly why we do this work—because they can’t do it on their own.

Dr. Jason Zuidema (NAMMA): Thank you very much.

Photo: Andrea Meenken and Dr. Jason Zuidema at the Panama Canal Visitor’s Center, Miraflores Locks, 12 August 2025.

The post Serving Seafarers in Panama: An Interview with Andrea Meenken of the Deutsche Seemannsmission appeared first on NAMMA.

My recent vacation to Panama took on an extra but deeply rewarding dimension when I set aside time to meet with local seafarers’ welfare groups. Panama is, of course, one of the most significant maritime countries in the world, and spending time here without reflecting on its maritime importance would feel incomplete.

As the plane descends into Panama City, one can already see the silhouettes of dozens of ships waiting at anchorage, a visual reminder that this is one of the busiest crossroads of world trade. Ships transit daily through the canal, but what is often less well known is that there are also major ports on both ends of the isthmus, as well as vibrant fishing communities. The scope, complexity, and importance of Panama’s maritime sector cannot be overstated. Every tug captain, canal pilot, port worker, and seafarer contributes to keeping this great system in motion, and visiting here brings those realities into sharper focus.

The history of the Panama Canal is as remarkable as it is sobering. Begun by the French in the nineteenth century under Ferdinand de Lesseps, the same engineer behind the Suez Canal, the project faltered in the face of tropical disease, daunting terrain, and financial scandal. When the Americans took over in the early twentieth century, they brought immense resources and new approaches to engineering and public health. The canal was finally completed in 1914, but not without memory of the tremendous loss of life among workers. It stands as one of the most extraordinary feats of engineering in the modern era, cutting across continents and revolutionizing global trade. For most of the twentieth century, the canal zone remained under U.S. control until President Jimmy Carter’s treaty paved the way for its return. On December 31, 1999, Panama officially assumed full authority over the canal, and since then the Panama Canal Authority has administered it with both pride and efficiency. Alongside this, the Panamanian Maritime Authority oversees a wide range of maritime activities, including the world’s largest ship registry. The Panamanian flag flies on vessels across every ocean, and during my visit to their offices, it was a treat to see their 2017 Guinness World Records certificate affirming this distinction.

One of my first stops was the Panama Canal Visitor Center at the Miraflores Locks, where I was hospitably accompanied by ship visitor Andrea Meenken of the German Seamen’s Mission. This visitor center is one of Panama’s most popular tourist attractions, though it is far from a theme park experience. Instead, people come to marvel at the ships and, perhaps for the first time, encounter seafarers at work. Inside the center, visitors are guided by an IMAX film narrated by actor Morgan Freeman, which powerfully recounts the history of the canal, its impact on the world economy, and its delicate relationship with the surrounding environment.

The film, shown in 3D, was captivating not only for the maritime enthusiasts but also for the many tourists who may never have thought about global shipping before. Afterward, visitors spill out onto a two-tiered grandstand overlooking the locks, where they watch as ships are lifted or lowered through the chambers. Standing there, I was struck by how close the public comes to seafarers—just a few meters away—seeing them on deck, working alongside tug crews and canal workers. This rare proximity to seafarers in their workplace breaks down the barriers of “sea blindness” and offers an authentic window into their world. It was a joy to film the process and to share in the excitement of the crowd as a massive ship slowly descended before our eyes, guided safely by the extraordinary skill of canal pilots and tug operators.

A following day, I visited the offices of the Panamanian Maritime Authority, accompanied by Fr. Ian Hutchinson Cervantes of the Mission to Seafarers Panama, Andrea Meenken of the German Seamen’s Mission, and their shared colleague Fr. Jesús Sta. Iglesia, who represents a pioneering collaboration between the Mission to Seafarers and the German Seamen’s Mission. The three form the Seafarers’ Mission Panama, an ecumenical venture created to help coordinate seafarers’ ministry in the country.

Our meeting with Mr Felipe Arias, Director General for Seafarers, focused on a very important initiative: encouraging the creation of a national seafarers’ welfare board for Panama. Such boards already exist in a number of countries, bringing together government representatives, shipowners, unions, and welfare organizations to coordinate efforts for seafarers’ well-being. My own country of Canada established a Seafarers’ Welfare Board in 2020, and it was encouraging to see Panama’s desire to move in the same direction. Having ratified the Maritime Labour Convention, Panama is well-positioned to formalize such a body. A national welfare board would provide an essential forum for addressing practical challenges like ship access and port entry while ensuring seafarers’ voices are heard and their needs met.

Beyond these official meetings, it was deeply meaningful to spend time with the people who serve seafarers day by day. Father Ian, Andrea, and Father Jesús are a dedicated team, visiting ships, offering pastoral care, and meeting seafarers’ practical needs in Panama’s bustling ports. I also met with Fr. Oskar Kefi, CS, a newly arrived Scalabrinaian priest from Indonesia, who is preparing to begin ship visiting with Stella Maris. We were joined by his colleague Fr. Quynh Hoang, CS, who works with migrants and refugees in the country. The Scalabrinian ministry holds special promise, as he plans not only to serve merchant crews but also to reach out to fishers in Panama’s significant fishing ports. With so many fishers and merchant seafarers hailing from Indonesia, Father Oscar’s presence will be a welcome bridge in language and culture. The expansion of welfare services to include fishers marks an important step for maritime ministry in Panama.

Like all maritime hubs, Panama presents challenges as well as opportunities. Access to ships can be difficult, particularly for those in transit through the canal or waiting at anchorage. Welfare groups are working steadily to secure the permissions and practical means to reach crews in these situations. Yet, despite these challenges, the energy and collaboration I witnessed here were inspiring. The local team is growing, committed, and creative in its approach. I also had the opportunity to meet with the ITF inspector in Panama, Carlos Sandoval, whose role in defending seafarers’ rights adds another vital layer of support. The relationships between shipowners, unions, welfare providers, and government authorities are complex, but they are also essential for improving seafarers’ conditions.

My visit to Panama underscored once again how maritime ministry is both local and global. Panama is a hub where world trade passes through, but it is also a place where individual seafarers live and work, often far from home, in need of care and support. Seeing the canal, meeting colleagues, and exploring the growing network of welfare initiatives here reminded me of the importance of collaboration in our shared mission. For NAMMA and ICMA, and for maritime ministry worldwide, Panama offers a striking example of how history, engineering, commerce, and human care converge in service of the people of the sea.

The post Meeting Seafarers’ Welfare Colleagues in Panama appeared first on NAMMA.

Review by Jason Zuidema (NAMMA/ICMA)

In You Raise Me Up!, Joyce and Kevin Lillie present a warm, deeply personal portrait of Sister Mary Scholastica—born Mary Nolan on 18 May 1940 in the rural town of Gort, County Galway, Ireland—and her life of devotion to the poor, the sick, and especially to seafarers in the industrial port city of Sunderland, England. Drawing on a rich tapestry of firsthand reports, media archives, personal letters, and the subject’s own reflections, the book tells the story of a woman who quietly transformed her community through decades of unwavering service.

The early chapters trace Sister Mary’s upbringing on a small Irish farm steeped in faith and family prayer, setting the tone for her eventual religious vocation. At 17, she entered the Convent of the Sisters of Mercy in Sunderland, moving far from home to embrace a life that was, as she put it, “lonely… away from family and friends.” Despite the austerity of convent life—marked by little heating and frugal conditions—Sister Mary found her strength in obedience, humility, and her calling to serve.

The book comes alive as it recounts Sister Mary’s decision in 2004 to take over the mission to seafarers in Sunderland, after Peter Barragan, then the port chaplain, found himself without support. With determination and prayer, Sister Mary stepped into leadership. The local council made a building, ‘Westhouse’, available as a seafarers’ centre, though it needed significant work. With help from friends, she cleaned and restored the space, eventually transforming it into a hub of welcome, free internet, refreshments, donated clothing, and pastoral care. Her ethos was shaped by the Sisters of Mercy foundress Catherine McAuley: “The poor need help today, not next week.”

The middle chapters draw heavily on Sister Mary’s annual reports and media profiles, including her appearance on BBC Two’s Sea Cities – Sunderland in 2018. These sections vividly illustrate her tireless daily rhythm—ship visits, long hours at the centre, coordination with national welfare networks, and fundraising events—all done with grace and energy. She recognized services like internet access for modern seafarers and adjusted her mission accordingly, helping mariners reconnect with their families and feel at home, if only for a moment. Like other seafarers’ missions, work during the COVID-19 pandemic was especially meaningful and intense.

Notably, the book resists presenting Sister Mary as a solitary hero. Though her name is central, her own reflections and the authors’ framing repeatedly stress the collective nature of the work. The final chapters contain tributes from fellow Sisters, priests, seafarers, and volunteers, underlining that such ministry is built not only on compassion but also collaboration. The proceeds from the book go to The “Friends of Sunderland Seamen’s Mission,” further reinforcing that this is not just a retrospective but an ongoing story of care.

You Raise Me Up! does not pretend to be scholarly history, but its documentary quality—gathering clippings, reports, and correspondence—makes it a valuable resource in its own right. The narrative offers insight into the rhythms and realities of contemporary port chaplaincy, highlighting both the mundane and miraculous aspects of the work. While Sister Mary’s path may be unique, the book offers inspiration for anyone committed to seafarers’ welfare, showing how a life of ordinary faithfulness can quietly echo with extraordinary impact.

See the BBC Two interview with Sister Mary Scholastica here.

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