Connecting the Community to Care for Seafarers
and the Spirit of the Maritime Industry
The Ship Visit & Welcome Team
Gain Valuable Skills, New Experiences And Make A Big Impact On
THE SHIP VISIT & WELCOME TEAM
Gain Valuable Skills, New Experiences And Make A Big Impact On
THE SHIP VISIT & WELCOME TEAM
We invite you to join in as a member of our Ship Visit & Welcome Team to share some of the incredible diversity, friendliness, and welcoming spirit that the Bay Area is well known for.
Ship visiting is the most important thing we do, but not all that we do, but there are many ways to serve:
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Ship Visitors board commercial ships in ports to help and support seafarers and crews
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Welcome Drivers shuttle crew members to local shops and sites when they come ashore
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Welcome Hosts create a friendly, relaxing atmosphere at the Maritime Center when crew members visit.
A friendly face and a listening ear help to relieve some of the stress and boost their spirits.
✓ Obtain excellent, certificated training
✓ Receive support from a network of new friends and associates
✓ Earn up to $1,000 in stipends
✓ Give comfort, relief, and hope to seafarers
✓ Share the Bay Area spirit of welcome and hospitality
✓ Help Promote Community Spirit and Civic Engagement
Volunteer today for The Ship Visit & Welcome Team at
Christmas at Sea
Christmas at Sea Ditty Bag Program
The holiday season is filled with celebrations, food, fun and fellowship with family and friends bringing excitement, joy and love. At the same time, seafarers operate ships carrying gifts and goods that make our seasons bright. For them, the holidays can bring homesickness, loneliness, and anxiety as they think about their loved ones whom they have not seen in many months. Our holidays and daily lives would not be as bright without the essential work of seafarers. Let us not forget them.
Volunteer to Spread Holiday Joy & Cheer!
To Seafarers who spend
Christmas at Sea - Far Away from Home
Each year SMGG-at-the-IMC collects hand-knitted hats and scarves, drawstring bags, toiletries, and other small items for our annual Christmas at Sea Ditty Bag Program. These items are packed into “ditty bags” by volunteers. SMGG chaplains, Staff, and volunteers deliver the filled bags to the seafarers aboard ships in the Port of Oakland from December 1 to January 7.
This season we invite you to be like a “Christmas elf” delivering joy and goodness to deserving people: Join the Christmas Ship Visit & Welcome Team.
There are several ways to serve the Team:
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SHIP VISITOR: Deliver gift bags to ship crews aboard commercial ships in the Port of Oakland to as a way of saying Thank You! for all they do for us.
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WELCOME DRIVER: shuttle crew members in SMGG vans from their ships to local shops and nearby venues; drive to local churches and organizations to pick up gifts
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WELCOME HOST: create a relaxing atmosphere and greet visiting crew members at the Maritime Center.
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PACKING DAYS ----- Join us as we pack ditty bags full of handmade hats, scarves, toiletries and snacks and prepare them for distribution. Please RSVP your intention to participate to chaplain@smgg.org.
COMMON QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS
When Do Ship Visits Occur? How Long is the Visit? Where are the Ships?
Our current schedule is Thursday - Sunday 11 am – 3 pm, December 1 – January 7. We generally visit two ships each shift. Ship visits last 20-40 minutes per ship depending upon what is happening aboard the ship; please allow three hours for a shift.
We meet at the International Maritime Center at 4001 7th Street, Oakland CA and depart for the ships from there.
Do I have to Sign Up in Advance or can I just show up at the time?
Because there is a limit to the number of ship visitors allowed on board, please register in advance and we will assign a day and time that fits your preference and availability.
Is training required?
Yes. We require each visitor to take two short online training programs prior to your first visit and to participate in a short orientation on the day of your first visit.
Are there any Physical requirements?
Ship Visitors must be able to climb the ship gangway (equal to climbing 3 -4 flights of steep stairs) while carrying a 15-pound garbage bag containing a dozen small bags for the crews).
Is There a Uniform?
Each Ship Visitor wears a safety vest provided by the Seafarers’ Ministry. Visitors must wear close-toed shoes that have soles with grips. Wear loose-fitting clothes.
Are There Any Other Requirements?
Ship Visitors must be at least 21 years old and have a valid CA drivers’ license with a clean driving record. A TWIC card is preferable for identification. Volunteers who obtain a TWIC card are reimbursed for the TWIC card fee after making two ship visits. Before applying, please review the requirements here: https://www.tsa.gov/for-industry/twic1
