Port Ministry

AOS-USA member Port Chaplains serve in many ports throughout the United States, reaching out to mariners, fishermen, their families, and all who work or travel on the waterways of the world.

Often away from their homes, many have little support to help maintain lasting ties with their faith and families. AOS-USA member Port Chaplains seek to accommodate mariners' unique lifestyle and needs.

Most importantly, they offer the Eucharist, and the sacramental and spiritual life of the Church to the people of the sea.

They also seek to ensure a safe work environment, just contracts, a genuine welcome and safe haven while in port, spiritual renewal, communication with loved ones back home, and recreational possibilities.

AOS-USA provides networking, information and on-going training to those engaged in Catholic maritime ministry. It does this by linking Catholic maritime ministers, and seafarer welfare ministries through its regular e-newsletter and Annual Conference. In addition, Catholic Maritime Ministers receive professional development training and Catholic theological development at the Annual Conference.

Pastoral members are those Priests, Deacons, and Lay Ecclesial Ministers who have received a mandate from their Diocesan Bishop to perform maritime ministry on behalf of the Diocese.

We encourage Pastoral and Associate Members, and all those engaged in Port Ministry to bookmark this page, and visit regularly. Please also check out our Documents Page for newly posted pastoral ministry items. AOS-USA provides these links below along with our Documents Page, as resources for our professional Catholic Maritime Ministers.

The International Committee on Seafarers’ Welfare (ICSW) has several links to assist port chaplains, and mariner:

• http://www.seafarerswelfare.org
• http://seafarerswelfaretoolkit.org
• International Transport Workers Federation
• International Maritime Organization (IMO)
• International Labour Organization (ILO)
• International Chamber of Shipping/International Shipping Federation
• Seafarers’ International Research Center
• United States Coast Guard

Other Seafarers’ Welfare Organizations

• Danish Seamen's Service (DSS)
• International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA)
• International Seamen's House Antwerp
• http://www.missiontoseafarers.org/
• Norwegian Government Seamen's Service (NGSS)
• Stella Maris Friends Onlus (Venice)
• Swedish Seamen's Service
• UK Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB)
• United Seamen's Service (USS)
• Houston Maritime Ministry Training Application for 2017

“He said to them, ‘Come after me, and I will make you fishers of men.’ ” - Matthew 4:19