Charleston Port and Seafarers

Charleston Port and Seafarers Donate to Chapss on our web site:

charlestonseafarers.org Ministering to seafarers is the oldest cross cultural ministry in our country. Len Williams.

Charleston has a venerable history dating back to 1821 when the original Charleston Port Society was organized, providing a Seafarers Chapel located at 50 Church Street. This chapel was destroyed in the Great Charleston Earthquake of 1886. A second initiative was subsequently made possible by Harriot Pinckney, daughter of General Cotesworth Pinckney, who provided for a trust that would in time pro

vide a Chapel and home for seafarers located on the Corner of East Bay and Market Street. The Seamen’s Church was built in 1916 and provided a vibrant ministry for some fifty years. The Chapel and dormitory were sold in the 1960’s because three mast sailing ships had given way to giant containerships with relatively small crews (20-25) who are only in port for 8-10 hours and the ministry had to be taken to them. Charleston’s Seafarers’ Ministry (CSM) consists of two organizations: The Charleston Port and Seafarers’ Society (ChaPSS) and the International Seafarers Ministry (ISM). Both are non-profit 501C3 ecumenical, organizations that exist for the purpose of welcoming and serving the needs of those men and women who make their livelihood in the port or at sea, without regard for ethnicity, politics or religion. Last year, services were provided by ChaPSS to over 16000 seafarers from 50 different countries at the Wando Center. The Wando Seafarers Center is staffed by a dedicated team of volunteers directed by Chaplain, Fr. As a result of the generous donations of our sponsors, a larger center replaced the first Wando Center and was dedicated in May of 2011. A second ChaPSS Center opened in 2009 at the Columbus St. Terminal and a third center served by ISM is in place at North Charleston as of the Spring 2011. Our volunteers are responsible for boarding ships as they arrive, meeting and praying with individual crewmen as needed, working out transportation schedules, assisting seafarers with internet and SKYPE and some also serve as drivers for our passenger buses.

Together, we build a stronger community. 🤝❤️At the Charleston Port and Seafarers' Society, we believe that a thriving ma...
06/15/2026

Together, we build a stronger community. 🤝❤️

At the Charleston Port and Seafarers' Society, we believe that a thriving maritime industry starts with thriving people. Our core mission is centered around supporting seafarers, port workers, and their families through every single season of life.
How do we do it? By staying rooted in our core values:

• Faith. Service. Community. That’s what keeps us moving forward. 🌟
• Building Connections: Strengthening our maritime community from the ground up. 👥
• Sharing Hope: Providing help, encouragement, and a steady hand when it matters most. ⚓️
• Making a Difference: Working together to keep our entire community strong and safe. 🛡️

This mission belongs to all of us. Whether you are out at sea, working the docks, or part of the wider maritime community, your involvement matters.

Be ready. Be the difference. Save a life.

🔗 Learn how you can get involved today at www.charlestonseafarers.org!

Transportation is freedom! 🌉 Because of the people who keep our ports moving, our community thrives.The Charleston Port ...
06/12/2026

Transportation is freedom! 🌉 Because of the people who keep our ports moving, our community thrives.
The Charleston Port and Seafarers' Society is dedicated to building connections, sharing hope, and keeping our maritime family strong & safe. ⚓️❤️

Get involved. Make an impact. 👇 🌐 www.charlestonseafarers.org

Faith. Service. Community. ❤️⚓️This reminds us of what truly anchors us: a shared commitment to those who keep our globa...
06/11/2026

Faith. Service. Community. ❤️⚓️

This reminds us of what truly anchors us: a shared commitment to those who keep our global trade moving. We don't just work together; we grow, connect, and support one another through every season of life. 🌊

By putting love into action, the Charleston Port and Seafarers' Society is dedicated to:
✨ Supporting our seafarers, port workers, and their families.
✨ Building deeper connections across our maritime community.
✨ Sharing a message of hope, encouragement, and steady support.

We are proud to stand with our port workers and seafarers to keep our maritime community strong and safe. 💪 Because when we unite in service, we truly are Stronger Together.

Check out our website at https://www.charlestonseafarers.org/ to see how you can get involved! 🗺️

🤝As May comes to a close, we’re grateful for every connection made along the way. To the volunteers, partners, and suppo...
05/31/2026

🤝As May comes to a close, we’re grateful for every
connection made along the way.

To the volunteers, partners, and supporters who help this
mission move forward, thank you. And to every seafarer
who steps through our doors, it’s an honor to welcome
you.

Here’s to another month of service and care.

05/30/2026

💙Looking for a meaningful way to get involved this
season?

We’re always grateful for volunteers, supporters, and
community partners who want to help us serve seafarers
visiting the Port of Charleston. Whether you give time,
resources, or advocacy, it all matters.

Learn more: CharlestonSeafarers.org/contact-us


Donate to Chapss on our web site:

charlestonseafarers.org

05/29/2026

Women make up a small fraction of the global maritime workforce, but CMA CGM's She Sails program is working to change that. Launched in December 2024, it has already seen the number of women seafarers more than double, rising from 200 to 419 in just one year, with a target of 1,000 by 2030.

Christine Cabau explains the thinking behind the program and why gender diversity isn't just a moral imperative - it's a strategic one.

"The sea belongs to all those who choose it as their horizon, their career and their life's adventure."

Read the full article in The Sea: https://bit.ly/40CqOLF

05/29/2026

Welcome ashore to AB Timothy Smith (left), whose SIU career spanned nearly 50 years. He’s pictured at the Tacoma hall with SIU Port Agent Danielle Woodward.

05/29/2026

Staying informed is an important part of staying
connected.
Industry updates, shared insights, and ongoing
communication help keep professionals aligned
in a rapidly changing landscape.


05/28/2026

Address

Wando Terminal
Mount Pleasant, SC
29464

Telephone

+18439846116

Website

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