The International Christian Maritime Association announces the launch of the online publication “Successful Seafarers’ Centres”.

Photo: Rolf Schulten

The publication is a report of a workshop held in Hong Kong in November 2009. Twelve seafarers’ centres from five continents were represented, each of them known to be successful in specific fields of ministry, management and operations peculiar to its port.  Over three days, these centres’ staff “spilled the beans” on what makes their centres work.

Now ICMA lets you into their secret: the manual is full of tips and advice, “do’s and don’ts” that can make a difference to your seafarers’ centre. The workshop’s aim was clear: to help seafarers’ centres survive and flourish in difficult times.

ICMA General Secretary Rev Hennie la Grange says of the latest ICMA publication:

Having read the text, prepared for ICMA by Michelle Homden, the one thing that strikes me again is the love these passionate people have for seafarers. If their commitment and resilience does not inspire you, their faith will. What stands out is that successful seafarers’ centres are “seafarer-centred” and always act with impeccable integrity. Long may our seafarers’ centres continue to thrive. Keep up the good work! And from all of us in ICMA: thank you to the centres who participated. You have made a difference.

Click here for the Publications page of the ICMA website where the manual is available as a free download.

The workshop was supported by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, and both Roy Paul of the Trust and Hennie la Grange of ICMA facilitated the process. A seafarer, Nonoy Baldon, shared his views as an end user of services delivered by centres.

March 5th, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized | Comments Off

2010 International Year of the Seafarer

ICMA is delighted that the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has designated 2010 as International Year of the Seafarer.

Click here to learn more about the IMO Year of the Seafarer logo

As part of our celebration of the lives of seafarers, ICMA has worked with the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF) and other partners in seafarers’ welfare to produce a calendar. We are proud that the striking photographs of seafarers that feature in the calendar were taken by port chaplain Dirk Obermann of ICMA member Deutsche Seemannsmission.

Click here to download your free copy of the 2010 calendar

Click here to read more about our plans for the year ahead

November 27th, 2009 | Category: News, Year of the Seafarer | Comments Off

ICMA member NAMMA (North American Maritime Ministry Association) brings diversity to our ecumenical endeavours.

NAMMA was founded in 1932 as the National Group of Seamen’s Agencies. Later, as the International Council of Seamen’s Agencies, the organisation was  one of the founder members of ICMA. They took the name NAMMA in 1991.

It is the mission of NAMMA to assist port chaplains in their ministry to seafarers and other members of the maritime community. NAMMA acts as consultant and coordinator offering training and resources to those engaged in the spiritual, moral and practical support of seafarers. NAMMA members are active in ports throughout the United States, Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.

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February 24th, 2010 | Category: Uncategorized | Comments Off

Dr Marion Gibson

ICMA members from the East Asia region have been invited to a two-day training course to be held in Tagbilaran, Philippines, in April 2010.

The course is presented by the Regional Welfare Committee of East Asia and is intended for chaplains, ship visitors and other port-based welfare workers. Course tutor Dr Marion Gibson will provide a structured programme for responding to the needs of people in the aftermath of crisis.

This course is specially adapted for the maritime sector. Some sponsorship is available thanks to generous support from the ITF Seafarers’ Trust and the TK Foundation.

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February 23rd, 2010 | Category: Training | Comments Off

Seafarers’ House, Port Everglades, Florida has announced its new Board of Directors.

Seafarers’ House is a multi-faith cooperative partnership of of representatives of the Christians, Jewish and Muslim faiths. They are affiliated to ICMA through their long-standing membership of NAMMA, the North American Maritime Ministry Association.

Established in 1989, Seafarers’ House receives over 100,000 visits per year from the crews of cruise ships and cargo ships. Visiting seafarers can use communications facilities, send money home, or relax with coffee and newspapers from their own countries in the centre lounge. They also find ‘food for the soul’ at Seafarers’ House. Ministers of religion of different faiths and denominations are onhand to offer counselling and spiritual support.

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February 19th, 2010 | Category: Ministry | Comments Off