Saint John Seafarers Mission

10/28/2026

10/23/2026

Five of the crew of CMA CGM KAILAS ran from the DP World security gate into the Mission to Seafarers station here in Saint John. Hardly before signing in or saying hello they asked for jackets! It’s a cool, blustery day here and not at all like the Philippines. Thankfully, we had a few on hand. Now, happy and warm (at least 3 of them) they jumped into a taxi cab for a shopping spree at Walmart.

10/20/2026

These guys a so delightful! They are from the crew of the Maersk Fredericia, a container ship docked here in port Saint John and visiting the Mission to Seafarers centre for relaxation, snacks, free and unlimited WiFi, coffee/tea, and a warm welcome. Three will journey home when they dock in London, UK. Two are just beginning their contract. They are some of the faces behind 90% of everything we have here in Canada.

10/20/2026

This is Justin, from the crew of the Maersk Fredericia, and Rose Tatton (who loves to have her picture taken), a volunteer at the Mission to Seafarers. When Justin was last in port Saint John he requested a children’s Bible in English and Rose was able to find one through The Canadian Bible Society. He will take the Bible home to his son, Jaden as he heads home when the ship docks in the next port of call, London, UK.

10/14/2026

Santa at Sea 2026

Seafarers work hard and spend months away from home while doing it.

Even during the holidays.

This means that many seafarers are away from their families during the Christmas season.

The Saint John Seafarers Mission wants to give a bit of joy to seafarers who are traveling during the holidays and WE NEED YOUR HELP to do it.

Please consider giving a Christmas gift to seafarers by supporting our annual Santa at Sea campaign. There are three ways to do this:

1. Bring a complete Christmas bag to our office at 92 Tilley Lane and we will make sure that it gets to a seafarer. Please email us at [email protected] or call (506) 635-1731 so we can arrange a drop off time.

2. Are you part of a group of people who would like to support seafarers this Christmas? We would love for your church, office, or school to join in and collect items. If you can put them in Christmas bags, that would be great. If not, we have volunteers on the ready to pack everything up.

3. If you want to contribute but adding one more trip to the mall this Christmas season is not for you, you can make a financial donation and we will do the shopping for you. Click the following link and select "Santa at Sea" to make a donation. https://www.sjseafarers.com/donate

Wondering what to put in a gift bag?

Toiletries: toothpaste, toothbrush, shampoo, razor, shaving cream, deodorant, hand cream

Warm clothes: toque, gloves, mittens, scarfs, warm socks, foot warmers

Leisure: 2027 calendar, playing cards, sudoku puzzle books, flashlight or headlamp with batteries, Canadian souvenirs like magnets or mugs

Snacks: chocolate, cookies, nuts, candy, pop

And, of course, gift bags to hold it all.

Thank you.

*** Please note that gifts must remain unwrapped. Thank you. ***

10/08/2026

Cool story alert: on the last leg of a flight home to Saint John on Sunday, October 4 I struck up a conversation with my seat mate. Arthur is his name…he is from Poland…he is a 1st Engineer on a ship…he is going to join the crew on his rotation…the ship is in Saint John to load potash. (Do you know that Saint John, New Brunswick is the only potash terminal on the Eastern Seaboard?) I immediately fished in my pocket for my business card and introduced myself as the Chaplain at the port with The Mission to Seafarers. During the chat, I asked if he would take me on a tour of the ship’s engine room sometime…he said yes! When we arrived in SJ no one was there to meet him, which was rather disconcerting. I stayed with him until he had assurance from his agent in New York that a taxi would be called. I told him I would visit his ship, the Posteam Ros when she docked to check on him. Yesterday, Wednesday, October 7 I boarded, asked for Arthur and got to see where he works. It’s an amazing labyrinth of sound, machinery, pumps,and power maintained to the highest standard of efficiency and cleanliness. Thank you, Arthur for your courtesy and for your skill as an engineer.

09/27/2026

From left to right: Rev. Canon Peter Rouch, Secretary General of The Mission to Seafarers, DJ, Rob and myself as Peter and I visited the New England on Sunday, September 27. These two bright Filipino seafarers are beyond excited to be heading home after 8.5 months away from wives and children. Once again I come away from a ship visit with heart full of appreciation for what seafarers do to keep our world functioning and our material needs filled.

09/25/2026

Thank you for coming!

Fore! We traded the office for the fairway! ⛳️ 🏌️

Our team had a great time hitting the course for the 19th Annual Saint John Seafarers Mission Golf Tournament.

A great day of golf, connections, and a little friendly competition!