Charleston International Seafarers' Center
NAMMA member · at Charleston
- Address
- 5300 International Blvd, North Charleston, SC
- Phone
- +1 843 723 5573
- [email protected]
- Website
- https://www.charlestonseafarers.org
- Hours
- Daily
Services available
- Free wifi
- Most centres offer free wifi covering email, video calls, messaging apps, and modest social-media use. Bandwidth is rarely sufficient for streaming HD video or large file downloads. Bring a working unlocked phone or laptop; the centre may have a guest-network password posted, or you may need to ask at the desk.
- Transport to/from the ship
- Most port-side welfare centres provide a van or minibus shuttle between the ship's berth and the centre, and onward into town. Transport is normally free but may have set departure times. Ask the chaplaincy in advance — or call the centre's helpline — to confirm pick-up timing. Bring your gate pass and seaman's book for terminal security.
- Chaplaincy / ship visits
- Chaplains visit ships in port (port chaplains) and serve at the welfare centre. Their role is pastoral support, practical help (transport, money-changing, hospital visits, family-emergency communication), and confidential conversation. You do not need to share their religion to ask for help.
About NAMMA member
The North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) is the regional federation of seafarer-welfare ministries operating in US, Canadian, and Caribbean ports. NAMMA-member centres include local Seamen's Church Institute branches, Catholic Stella Maris chaplaincies, Lutheran and Anglican seafarer ministries, and the long-established Seamen's Christian Friend Society. Many operate jointly under the NAMMA banner for industry-relations purposes while keeping their denominational identity.
Coordinated North American port-side welfare — covering ship visits, centre operations, helplines, and seafarer advocacy across roughly 80 ports.
A NAMMA-affiliated centre will normally have free wifi, basic shop, chaplaincy support, often transport to and from the ship, and access to van-rides into town for crew change shore-leave. Many centres also coordinate with the local Apostleship of the Sea / Stella Maris and the Sailors' Society where multiple agencies operate the same port.
Photo ID and your seaman's book are useful in US and Canadian ports — TWIC card holders may have additional access.
At this port
This centre serves Charleston in United States. Check the port page for shore-leave, visa, helpline, and PSC context that affects your call here.
Editorial confidence: how we grade. Welfare centre opening hours change — confirm before visiting.