Seamen's Church Institute
About
The Seamen's Church Institute (SCI), founded in 1834, is a major American seafarer-welfare ministry. SCI operates centres in New York / New Jersey, Houston, Newark, and along the US Gulf and inland-waterway system. It is one of the largest seafarer-welfare providers in the United States and runs a substantial training and chaplaincy programme for the inland tug-and-barge industry.
Mission
Pastoral and practical care of merchant seafarers in US ports, especially New York, Newark, Houston, and the inland-waterway system.
What to expect at a centre
SCI centres are typically well-resourced — full chaplaincy, transport, shop, legal-aid (the SCI Center for Mariner Advocacy is a leading provider of seafarer legal advice in the US), and training. Inland-waterway crews can access SCI's River Days programme during transit.
What to bring
Bring your seaman's book and any US-port paperwork. TWIC-card holders have easier port access. For legal-aid cases, bring all wage and contract documentation.