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MARINERS DEPEND ON SCI &

SCI DEPENDS ON YOU...

IN THIS ISSUE – April 2024

• Maritime Training Benefit Luncheon
• Crisis Response: Whenever and Wherever Needed
• Join us for the Silver Bell Awards Dinner
• CMA Director to Moderate SASH Panel Discussion in New Orleans
• CME-Houston Welcomes Guests from Port Corpus Christi
• CME e-Learning Platform Now Partnered with Helm Operations

Photo: Mark Nestlehutt

Thank You To Our Corporate Sponsors

The Seamen’s Church Institute hosted Inland and Gulf Maritime leadership at the annual Maritime Training Benefit Luncheon on April 17, 2024, at Hilton Americas in Houston, Texas. This year’s event was chaired by Austin Golding, President and CEO of Golding Barge Line, and Clark Todd, President and CEO of Blessey Marine Services. The occasion served to celebrate Gary Osorno, President and CEO of AccuTrans, who was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award. Additionally, SCI recognized Captain Pete Ciaramitaro, Director of Vessel Operations for Southern Devall, with the Outstanding Trainer Award.

The Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, SCI’s President and Executive Director, said: “We were honored to recognize Gary and Captain Ciaramitaro for their dedication to mariners and to underscore the importance of training, support, and crisis response. This luncheon is always a highlight in SCI’s calendar, and we are proud that it serves as a galvanizing event for our industry in Houston and the Gulf region.”

The 2024 Maritime Training Benefit Luncheon welcomed 260 attendees and raised $266,000. These funds will enhance mariner training and support other crucial SCI mission areas. SCI’s newest Chaplain, the Rev. Nancy Simpson, based in Houston, offered the opening benediction at this year's event, and Director Captain Stephen Polk, MNI, gave an update on SCI’s Center for Maritime Education.

Event photos can be accessed online at: seamenschurch.org/mtbl2024

2024 MTBL Lifetime Achievement Award recipient: Gary Osorno, President and CEO, AccuTrans.

2024 MTBL Outstanding Trainer Award recipient: Captain Pete Ciaramitaro, Director of Vessel Operations, Rivers, for Southern Devall

CRISIS RESPONSE

Whenever and Wherever Needed

Maritime crises are never expected. SCI has consistently dispatched its Chaplains, trained in Critical Incident Stress Management (CISM), to provide support and assistance in such situations. These interventions range from pirate attacks off Somalia’s coast to ship sinkings in the Atlantic, fatalities near Yokohama, capsized workboats in the Gulf or rivers, and most recently, Baltimore Harbor. 

Immediately following the allision between the container ship DALI and the Francis Scott Key Bridge, our industry partners reached out to ask what SCI could do to support the ship’s crew. Within a week, SCI received clearance to send chaplains aboard the vessel to provide crisis response support for the seafarers. Additional SCI teams have continued visiting the ship, including Hindi and Tamil speaking chaplains. Click below to read the full statement from SCI President and Executive Director, the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt.

Our commitment to crisis response reflects SCI’s strategic objectives, demonstrating a dedication to providing effective and compassionate support for mariners and seafarers, no matter where in the world they may face challenging circumstances.

It's What We Do.

REGISTRATION IS NOW OPEN

Thursday, June 13, 2024

6:00 pm: Registration & Cocktails 

7:30 pm: Dinner & Awards

The Seamen’s Church Institute is excited to gather friends, supporters, and colleagues from across the maritime industry at the 46th Annual Silver Bell Awards Dinner. We are proud to honor:

SCI's purpose and practice—to serve the mariner—are made possible through the support of our generous Silver Bell Awards Dinner Sponsors, and we remain extremely grateful to our donors.

For more information on this event or to participate as a sponsor, contact SilverBell@seamenschurch.org or call 202-719-8057.

CMA Director to Moderate SASH Panel Discussion in New Orleans

Since the Safer Seas Act (Dec. 2022), the maritime industry has been working diligently to comply with and integrate these regulations into the core of their operations and establish a work environment for mariners that epitomizes safety and respect. Phil Schifflin, Esq., SCI's Director of the Center for Mariner Advocacy, has been keeping abreast of these efforts and assisting the inland maritime industry in interpreting and informing about policy. 

On May 10 in New Orleans, Phil will moderate a panel discussion about current SASH (Sexual Assault/Sexual Harassment) policies, with a particular emphasis on the Safer Seas Act. This panel discussion will occur during the upcoming Greater New Orleans Port Safety Council Harbor Safety Committee Marine Industry Day. The event is free to attend but requires a reservation. If interested, information and registration are online here.

CME-Houston Welcomes Guests from Port of Corpus Christi

On April 4, representatives from the Port of Corpus Christi paid a visit to SCI’s Center for Maritime Education (CME) in Houston. The agenda included a staff meet-and-greet, a tour of the facility, and a demonstration of our simulator. CME demonstrated its simulation capabilities, particularly focusing on the port complex exercise area through our integrated five-bridge simulator system. CME also discussed the possible collaborative projects with port stakeholders, emphasizing ongoing efforts to enhance safety within the port community. This visit stemmed from CME and port officials' attendance at the recent "Port of the Future" conference hosted by the University of Houston.

Noted CME Director, Capt. Stephen Polk: "We had a great visit with the Port of Corpus Christi. We see Ports and Pilot associations, along with engineering and vessel companies, as partners in our efforts to support safety and a safe work environment for mariners. We were glad to have them here and show them around; our door is always open for our partners to learn more about the scope of all we offer at CME."

CME e-Learning Platform Now Partnered with Helm Operations

"Every year, thousands of mariners use our online training services at CME," says e-Learning Manager Jonathan Burson, "and this involves a lot of data input, and sometimes re-inputting. We know how busy these departments are, and we prioritize improving the overall user experience for our clients." 

To streamline operations for client HR departments, CME has partnered with Helm Operations—one of the world's leading maritime operations software platforms—to integrate course completion and renewal data from our online training platform into individual Helm Connect certificates. By using Helm Connect certificates, joint customers can now view users’ training statuses, and enjoy the benefits of Helm Connect’s requirement and notification systems. Additionally, CME-Connect, our online training platform, is able to simplify user management by making Helm Connect the authoritative source for user information. This automation streamlines user creation and enrollment, making it easier for CME's clients to manage administrative tasks.

Your donations make a difference!

 FROM THE SCI ARCHIVES 

On this date in 1885, RMS Etruria set out on its maiden voyage. Etruria and her sister ship Umbria, were Cunard's last two ships to date fitted with auxiliary sails. The Etruria is pictured here at "North River—Pier 40" (the Hudson River at Houston Street) in a photo taken from SCI's North River Station.

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