Seattle Seafarers Center

The Seattle Seafarers Center plays a vital role in caring for international seafarers visiting Puget Sound. Seafarers often go unnoticed, and our goal is to help crews know they are seen and cared for. We strive to welcome all seafarers we meet, elevate their dignity, provide them practical services, and improve mental health at sea. 

Seafarers work long hours in rough and isolating conditions, and are at a high risk for burnout, depression, anxiety, and suicide. Our trained ship visitors and chaplains offer a listening ear to seafarers, connect them with mental health resources, advocate for their rights, and provide communication tools so they can stay in contact with family and friends back home. We also transport crew to the city, so they can spend much-needed time off their ship sightseeing or shopping for personal necessities.

This year for our 2024 Giving Tuesday campaign, the Seattle Seafarers Center invites you to make a financial donation to support our Ditty Bag Program. Your gift makes it possible for our staff and volunteers to bring "ditty bag" care packages containing a hat and essential toiletries to over 1,300 seafarers over the holiday season. These gifts are one way we give thanks for these hardworking crew and help them celebrate the holidays while away from home and family. 

Thanks to a generous donor, the first $2,500 in gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar. And if your employer has a matching program, your donation could be tripled!

Our Partners

The Seattle Seafarers Center is an ecumenical partnership between the Episcopal Diocese of Olympia, the Catholic Archdiocese of Seattle, and the Northwest Synod of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America.

The Center is also part of a global ministry encompassing over 100 international centers and is affiliated with two international seafarer ministries: the Anglican Communion's Mission to Seafarers and the Roman Catholic’s Stella Maris. The Center is also affiliated with the North American Maritime Ministry Association.

We are grateful to all our dedicated partners, sponsors, donors, and volunteers for making this vital mission possible. Thank you all!

Faith Partners

Industry Partners