The seamen's church Institute

The Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) cares for the personal, professional, and spiritual needs of mariners around the world. Founded in 1834, it is the largest, most comprehensive mariners’ service agency in North America.

SCI's four-fold mission:

o Ministry and Service: Offers crisis support and pastoral care to mariners in the Port of New York and New Jersey; the Bay Area Ports of California; and along 2,200 miles of America’s inland river, Gulf and Intracoastal waterways and offshore in the Gulf of Mexico.

o The Center for Maritime Education (CME): Enhances maritime safety and security standards through practical simulation training at facilities in Houston, Texas and Paducah, Kentucky.

o The Center for Seafarers’ Rights (CSR): Provides free legal assistance to seafarers, training of seafarer welfare workers, and policy advocacy for mariners’ interests. CSR makes available information concerning US environmental law and is currently conducting apost-piracy trauma study.

o Christmas at Sea: Coordinates and distributes knitted scarves, caps and other gifts to more than 17,000 mariners during the holiday season.

SCI maintains active social networks, including Facebook, Twitter, Flickr, and the SCI-TV Vimeo channel. SCI's maritime chaplains maintain CHAPLAINSBLOG for mariners, and the Christmas at Sea program reaches knitters through its blog and on Ravelry. SCI's digital archives are available online.

For more information, visit SCI's website or contact sci@seamenschurch.org.