Seamen's Church Institute of Philadelphia and South Jersey

Clipper ERIS onsigners part of 15 seafarers to vaccinate onboard today. 3 ships, 41 vacs. Time for holiday with family!

Happy #IndependenceDay. Proud to be an American vaccinating 3 ships of seafarers today. First up, the M/V High Mercury Red, Yellow, and Blue Cricket team. Other than vaxxing, we are closed for the 4th and 5th and reopening at 10am 7/6.

Prayers for a force of a former Executive Director of Seamen's Church Institute of Philadelphia and South Jersey and Past President of the North American Maritime Ministry Association. Rev. Jim has stopped dialysis and been moved to hospice. He appreciates your well wishes, and it was his great pleasure to serve.

INTERNATIONAL DAY OF THE SEAFARER This Friday, June 25, we recognize the enormous contribution seafarers make to our economy and our way of life. Some 90 % of all the goods and produce coming into this country arrive by cargo ship, brought to us by crews who work seven days a week in conditions that are lonely and often dangerous. Seafarers have shown amazing courage and persistence during this terrible pandemic year, and we are deeply grateful to them.

Monday was double the fun with the crew of the ORIENTAL KING coming to Vax in full safety regalia, and the new hit boy band from the Captain Markos.

On Sunday, was onboard Vax fun with the NAVIGATOR ECLIPSE Basketball Team. Apparently, a much better team than the 76ers.

Fun with vaxxing all weekend. MV Ridgebury Mary Jane: When you need 8 vaccines on a Saturday and Acme Boothwyn only has 5 left because you cleaned them out all week long, you divert with 3 to the good folks at Wilmington Rite Aid with Chief Cook Roylan C. Care from the Philippines, Deck Cadet Sylwia Czarnynoga from Poland, and Victor from Venezuela.

Vaccinations for Seafarers! - https://mailchi.mp//whats-new-at-seamens-church-institute-

SCI ship visitor Jennifer Roach-Dixon took these seafarers to receive the COVID vaccine last week. For many seafarers who have been isolated during the pandemic, this is their first chance in many months to be on dry land. We get them the one-dose Johnson and Johnson vaccine so there's no worry about scheduling a second shot, and they tell us they're grateful for the protection as well as the joy of being in the world again.

Requesting prayers up for a very sick seafarer so far away from home. Requesting prayers up for a very sick seafarer so far away from home.

When working with crewing personnel in other countries to schedule seafarer vaccinations, they are always concerned about the personnel administering and quality. Here is a little step by step:. A pharmacist, technician, or intern certified for immunization in all the recommended safety protocol of mask, and gloves cleans the vaccination area, marks the spot, and then injects the vaccine. Seafarers then wait 15 minutes to make sure there is no adverse reaction. All highly professional.

VISITORS SCI Executive Director Helene Pierson welcomed the Rev. Mark S. Nestlehutt (left), President and Executive Director, Seamen's Church Institute of New York & New Jersey, and Timothy Wong, Director, International Seafarer's Center in Port Newark, to our office on the Delaware. We are always inspired to be with members of our sister organizations, sharing ideas and renewing our commitment to taking care of seafarers from all over the world.

SAY THANK YOU TO SEAFARERS SCI plans to deliver ditty bags filled with gifts of appreciation to all seafarers in our ports during the holidays. Please help us say thank you to these people who work so hard under difficult conditions. For a WISH LIST of items seafarers need, click https://www.sciphiladelphia.org/ditty-bags... For some basic KNIT/CROCHET PATTERNS, click https://www.sciphiladelphia.org///2014/05/Knit-Crochet.pdf For WORK GLOVES you can order from Amazon to be delivered directly to us, click https://smile.amazon.com//7F2S3Y/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_1 and be sure to select SCIs gift registry address at checkout. THANK YOU!

"Without ships and seafarers, half the world would starve and the remaining half would freeze!" Thanks Chandu! Great job. Our shopping in action. We shop regularly for the Maersk Nienburg which is in port every 21 days. A few are passing their free time on extended contracts by utilizing their GoPros that we were able to get them.

WELCOME ABOARD, JENNIFER Annie Thomas sent us these pictures of our newest ship visitor/host transporter Jennifer Roach-Dixon in training aboard the Bull Carrier AZTECA at Balzano Marine Terminal. Jennifer delivered WiFi hot spots so seafarers could get in touch with home, and later enjoyed a cuppa (tea) courtesy of the crew.

MESSAGE TO SEAFARERS During this challenging pandemic time, while there are few requests for transports, and most shopping venues are not open as late as usual, we strive to be available when you need us. We begin our morning shifts flexibly, based on the schedule of incoming vessels, and we serve until we have checked in with all ships that have arrived before evening, We do not have an evening shift at this time. Call us for service at 215-922-2562.... To further help with the individual needs of seafarers, you can send your shopping requests by Facebook Messenger. Screenshots with links work the very best, and shopping orders may be sent at any time.

The pandemic is a catastrophe for seafarers - https://mailchi.mp//whats-new-at-seamens-church-institute-

AN AFFECTIONATE FAREWELL TO FATHER RENNY Father Renny Abraham Kattel, who worked under our umbrella as Archdiocese of Philadelphia's Apostleship of the Sea Chaplain, is beginning a new assignment as Pastor of Christ the King Knanaya Catholic Church in Dallas. Father Renny was a member of our SCI family for years, and he particularly valued the opportunity to serve seafarers. We wish him a successful and productive ministry in Dallas. ... Renny, we will miss you!

So happy that on this Labor Day, the crew of the San Alberto could finally go home! Not thrilled we couldn't get them out of this region and they had to go to the West Coast of Florida to make it happen. We pray and will keep working to be more accommodating for crew changes for the hard working seafarer who does so much for us. Be well, great friends of SCI!

It is our pleasure! Happy Labor Day.

A STACK OF BIBLES Every once in a while, a seafarer will ask if we have a Bible for him (or her). Our closet in the office is full of holy books in all shapes, sizes, and languages. We are happy to pass one along to anyone who wants it.

AT LAST, A CHANCE TO GO SHOPPING Crew members from the LPG Tanker SHAHRASTANI stocked up in preparation for a long trip to Spain, thanks to SCI Operations Manager Jasper DelCarlino. Lately we are finding a few instances where seafarers are allowed ashore, but it still takes agreement from ship Captains, Terminal operators, and local authorities. More often, our ship visitors are serving as personal shoppers for crews unable to leave their vessels.

NOT HAPPENING! Transporting crew members, visiting Philadelphia landmarks, reuniting with friends and family. That's how we wish we could spend our time. Instead, because of COVID-19, we're mostly delivering treats and doing personal shopping for seafarers who can't go ashore, let alone go home at the end of their contracts. Last week we received this message: "Thank you . .because of this it lessen the stress we have on board. It help a lot specially we have no news when... we will be going home and we cannot go ashore life is like a prison in here we are glad we have seamans mission that help us to feel a life being free." Please help us continue to serve cargo ship crews during this painful time. Click https://www.sciphiladelphia.org/donate-today/ to support Seamen's Church Institute

MOTHER NATURE PUTS ON A SHOW SCI Development Director Cindy Ryan took these amazing shots of Packer Avenue terminal in an approaching storm.