IN THIS ISSUE – MAY 2022

• Our Mission - A Short Video About SCI
• A Higher Standard of Maritime Education: SCI-CME partners with KOTUG and Riben Marine
• CMA Director Schifflin Heads ICMA Delegation in Maritime Labour Convention-2006 Amendment Talks
• CME Asst. Director Arenstam Part of Freight Week STL Panel

Our Mission – A Short Video About SCI

Throughout our long and storied history, our mission continues—to provide advocacy, education, and pastoral care to all mariners and seafarers. Check out this short promotional video that underscores the mission of the Seamen's Church Institute.

A Higher Standard for Maritime Education

SCI-CME partners with KOTUG and Riben Marine

Since 2019, the Seamen's Church Institute's Center for Maritime Education, Riben Marine, and Netherlands-based KOTUG have performed training for ship pilots and tug masters—prior to conducting feasibility studies for new docks and waterway projects—along the Texas Gulf Coast.

This week, May 16-20, 2022, this partnership has come together to conduct its first Basic Azimuth Stern Drive (ASD) Tug Class for Moran Towing Corporation, among the largest tow and tug fleet operations in the United States. The course was led by KOTUG Senior Trainer Captain Xavier Blejan, assisted by Riven Marine founder Captain Jay Rivera. SCI staff served as facilitators and subject-matter experts. The course brought together some of the best training resources available—expert tug trainers, ship-handling experts, pilot-grade custom tug models, and state-of-the-art Kongsberg simulators—delivering high-impact and quality instruction for the Moran team of pilots and masters.

This course establishes a new standard in maritime education. KOTUG, Riben Marine, and SCI are now excited to offer comprehensive coursework in Basic and Advanced ASD training, Harbor Assist/Towing, and Advanced Ship Assist and Escort Maneuvers for tug personnel using our best-in-class simulators at our facilities in Paducah, KY, and Houston, TX. 

I am very excited that this came together so well. More than anything, I am really happy that we were able to showcase this educational experience for Moran – who used to train with SCI in our NY office many years ago. It was great to have them come back for this class.

 – Capt. Stephen Polk, Director, Center for Maritime Education

KOTUG is a leading international maritime company, offering its innovative towage and maritime-related services on a global scale. Riben Marine provides world-class marine support and consultancy services across multiple maritime industry sectors. SCI is known for its broad support of seafarers and mariners, and its Center for Maritime Education is a recognized leader in the brown-water industry for its best-in-class training and ship-to-ship lightering performed by mooring masters.

CMA Director Schifflin Heads ICMA Delegation in Maritime Labour Convention 2006 Amendment Talks

Director of SCI's Center for Mariner Advocacy Philip C. Schifflin, Jr., Esq. is currently serving as head of the International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA) delegation to the International Labour Organization. The ILO promulgated the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC-2006), which is often referred to as the Seafarers' Bill of Rights. MLC-2006 has been ratified by 101 countries, representing over 90% of the world's shipping tonnage.

Last week, Phil virtually attended a meeting of the ILO where twelve of the proposed amendments to the MLC-2006 were considered. Eight of the proposed amendments were adopted, including one that improved seafarer access to the internet. Two important proposed amendments were deferred to a future meeting, currently scheduled to occur in 2025.

“The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 is likely the most important seafarer rights instrument in history," Phil noted. "And the proposals that were recently approved certainly improved it. With that truth acknowledged, there is still much work to be done to enhance the safety and welfare of seafarers.”

CME Asst. Director Capt. John Arenstam part of

"Container-on-Vessel" Discussion Panel 

SCI-Paducah Center for Maritime Education Assistant Director Capt. John Arenstam will join a group of distinguished panelists for a discussion on "Container-on-Vessel Services Coming to the St. Louis Region" on Monday, May 23 at 12:00 PM. This online panel is part of Freight Week STL 2022. This online event is free to attend — register here.