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Associated Organisations - Maritime

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International Christian Maritime Association

NMBS is a member of ICMA, which is a free association of more than 30 Christian not-for-profit organisations working for the welfare of seafarers around the world, founded in 1969, ICMA currently represents more than 450 seafarers’ centres and 900 chaplains in approximately 125 countries. 

ICMA is called to promote unity, peace and tolerance. The association works ecumenically, showing unconditional love to all seafarers regardless of nationality, religion, culture, gender or ethnic origin and it respects their personal values and beliefs. Additionally, ICMA cooperates with other institutions to advance maritime welfare.

 

ICMA Members

Apostleship of the Sea

The Apostleship of the Sea is a Catholic charity supporting seafarers worldwide. They provide practical and pastoral care to all seafarers, regardless of nationality, belief or race. Their port chaplains and volunteer ship visitors welcome seafarers, offer welfare services and advice, practical help, care and friendship. The Apostleship of the Sea in Great Britain is part of an international network known to the maritime world as Stella Maris, working in 318 ports with 217 port chaplains around the world. 90% of world trade is transported by ship. However the life of a modern seafarer can be dangerous and lonely. They may spend up to a year at a time away from home, separated from their family and loved ones and often working in harsh conditions.

Somandsmissionen

The existence of the Inland Sailor’s Mission is to bring the gospel to sailors and fishermen – including to international sailors and others who are naturally associated with the maritime environments in Denmark and Greenland. They work from evangelical Lutheran ground with a call to repentance, faith, and faith preservation – “The Gospel to Sailors and Fishermen”.

Fishermen’s Mission

Our fishermen face danger, difficulty and poverty on a daily basis. However thanks to the Fishermen’s Mission, they’re not alone. When times are tough, we care for our active and retired fishermen in the most practical of ways – and have done so for over 130 years. As the only national charity that works solely with fishermen and their families, the Fishermen’s Mission (formerly known as Royal National Mission to Deep Sea Fishermen – RNMDSF) offers financial, pastoral and spiritual support as well as a vital emergency response service.

Mission to Seafarers

Piracy, shipwreck, abandonment and separation from loved ones are just a few of the problems merchant seafarers face. Around the world, The Mission to Seafarers provides help and support to the 1.5 million men and women who face danger every day to keep our global economy afloat. They work in over 200 ports in 50 countries caring for seafarers of all ranks, nationalities and beliefs. Through their global network of chaplains, staff and volunteers we offer practical, emotional and spiritual support to seafarers through ship visits, drop-in seafarers’ centres and a range of welfare and emergency support services.

Seamen’s Christian Friend Society

The Seamen’s Christian Friend Society has served the Lord since the 1840’s. Founded in a time when square riggers were the fastest mode of ocean transport. Now in 2019 the world and the maritime world in particular is a very different place. With advances in internet communication, travel and technology all these things are so much faster than in the 1840’s but many of the issues facing individuals and the church are still the same. Loneliness, isolation and depression are all a part of the human factor and devastate lives and families throughout the world. In the maritime world these issues are amplified through the isolation caused by serving on a merchant ship, out of contact with family and friends for in excess of 9 months at a time. The Seamen’s Christian Friend Society serves the Lord by ministering directly to the 1.7 million merchant seafarers who are at sea demonstrating to them His Love.

Sailors’ Society

Founded more than 200 years ago in 1818, Sailors’ Society is a Christian charity supporting and caring for an often forgotten group of people. They are multi-denominational in terms of outlook, as are their trustees, staff and the service they provide. They reach out to seafarers where they work – on board the huge variety of cargo and cruise ships and take them practical services like phone cards to connect with loved ones at home, the latest newsprint in many languages and access to Wi-Fi hotspots.

 

Present at many of the key ports around the world, their chaplains and volunteers assist hundreds of thousands of seafarers each year; extending a hand of friendship, hospitality and pastoral care to all we meet regardless of rank or circumstance. As part of their mission, they provide a wide spectrum of support services – chaplaincy, spiritual guidance and counsel, provision of welfare support to seafarers and their families, assistance with continuing maritime education and, in dire need, financial help.