Connecting the Community to Care for Seafarers
and the Spirit of the Maritime Industry
Who We Are
OUR ORGANIZATION AT A GLANCE
Every day there are more than one hundred thousand ships at sea carrying all the products and materials that we need to live. Yet, much of the work of the maritime industry shipping goes unseen because they are out of our sight. Maritime jobs are interesting and rewarding, but also difficult, dangerous and isolated. We rely on seafarers for our daily lives and we are here to show them that they can depend on the rest of us.
Seafarers’ Ministry of the Golden Gate at the International Maritime Center [SMGG-at-the-The IMC] is a maritime welfare organization for seafarer wellbeing, maritime promotion, and community connectedness. Two organizations working together as one:
The Seafarers Ministry of the Golden Gate [SMGG]
We provide Physical, Social, and spiritual care to Seafarers, Maritime Workers, and Their Families
Our culturally diverse team of volunteer Ship Visitors and chaplains visit ships docked in the Port of Oakland and other Bay Area ports to offer a caring presence and listening ears to the seafarers onboard. We also provide essential services like transportation and package delivery to make their lives aboard ship a bit more comfortable and convenient, and their time in port as pleasant and refreshing as possible.
The International Maritime Center [The IMC]
We Educate, Advocate and Coordinate support for Seafarers Wellbeing and Maritime Advancement
We collaborate with non-profit organizations, community groups, government agencies and the private sector to:
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Educate the public about the essential role of seafarers and their critical needs
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Advocate for policies and programs that address the needs of seafarers, and the progress of the maritime sector and
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Coordinate administrative and operational services [e.g., facility use, transportation, communications, and IT] for the SMGG-at-The IMC network.
TOGETHER…We are SMGG-at-The-IMC
Connecting the Community to Care for Seafarers and the Spirit of the Maritime Industry
From our beginnings in the early 1900’s until now, we have been meeting the needs of seafarers as they come ashore from months of isolation aboard ships. In the fall of 2021, the leadership of Seafarers’ Ministry of the Golden Gate at the International Maritime Center engaged in a thoughtful process to address the realities of a new maritime world changed by COVID, climate change, automated shipping, green shipping initiatives, and global conflicts. The result of those considerations is a dynamic, rolling three-year Strategic Action Agenda – Full Speed Ahead which broadens our scope of services to seafarers and promotes the advancement of the maritime sector. To learn more about our plans and program, click below to Learn More:
Are you eager to learn more? Contact us directly for more information:
Our People
Board of Directors
Gloria Meads, Board Member. Gloria is a retired educator who taught nursing at Chabot College and Samuel Merritt University for more than forty years. A descendant of Swedish sailors, she is an active member of Lakeshore Baptist Church, Oakland. Her late husband, Dr. Philip Meads, was an officer in the Scandinavian Seamen's Mission.
Gloria Meads
Board Member, SMGG
Jim has been the pastor at Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church in Oakland, California since 1989. Hopkins is a highly regarded leader in civic, academic and religious community circles. Jim has been board of the chair of trustees at the Berkeley School of Theology; President of the Alliance of Baptists and President of the Pacific Coast Baptist Association. He is a founding pastor of the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists, the Pacific Coast Baptist Association and the Interfaith Council of Alameda County.
Rev. Dr. H. James Hopkins
Chair, SMGG
Reverend Dwight Webster, B.S., M.Div., D.H.L., Ph.D., Board Member. Dwight is the senior Pastor of the historic Beth Eden Baptist Church in Oakland, CA and is Pastor Emeritus of the Christian Unity Baptist Church in New Orleans, LA. Webster holds a Ph.D. in Theology from the Graduate Theological Union in Berkeley. He previously taught at the Pacific School of Religion (PSR); Colgate Rochester Divinity School/Bexley Hall/Crozer Theological Seminary in Rochester, NY. Dr. Webster is an Elder and Faculty member of the Sankofa Institute at the Oblate School of Theology in San Antonio, TX and Xavier University's Institute for Black Catholic Studies.
Reverend Dwight
Webster, Ph.D.
Secretary, SMGG
Robert A. Wilkins, Sr., Director of Programs, is a long time nonprofit Executive, and leader in the civic and faith communities in the Bay Area. He concurrently serves as the Executive Director of the International Maritime Center.
Robert A. Wilkins, Sr. Secretary, IMC
Executive Director,
SMGG-at-the-IMC
Robert Butchart is the Emergency Services Coordinator and Maritime Specialist for the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services
Bob is a native San Franciscan. Robert studied Theology at Notre Dame Da Namur University. He served in Air Force Special Operations and in the United States Joint Service Special Operations Command. Bob also served as a Military Chaplain’s Assistant. Currently, Robert is with the California Governor’s Office of Emergency Services, where he developed the Maritime Program for Cal OES. He is attached to the State Threat Assessment Center (STAC), and currently assigned to the United States Coast Guard, in the Interagency Operations Center (IOC) on Yerba Buena Island.
Robert Butchart
Board Member, SMGG
Roehl Cinco, Board Vice-Chair and Treasurer, is currently Vice President of the Board of SMGG, and also serves as Treasurer. He has been volunteering for SMGG since 2007. Currently, he works as a Chemist for the U.S. Department of Agriculture, Food Safety and Inspection Service.
Roehl Cinco
Treasurer, SMGG
Captain Nick Deisher is a licensed San Francisco Bar Pilot who navigates large vessels through the San Francisco Bay, known for piloting ships like the YM Upward. A graduate of the California State University Maritime Academy, he previously spent 10 years working in Hawaii as a Chief Mate and Captain. He represents the San Francisco Bar Pilots in community and civic events.
Captain Nick Deisher
Board Member, IMC
Alison Richardson is an experienced higher education leader at California State University, East Bay, where she has overseen student equity initiatives and directed outcomes for first-generation and underserved students. Previously, she served as EOP Director and led health and education programs at the YMCA of the East Bay. With twelve years at institutions like UC Davis, USC, CSUN, and USF, Alison heads student affairs efforts and teaches in CSUEB's Educational Leadership program. She has received awards from Hilltop Family YMCA and USF, and regularly offers professional development workshops. Originally from Berkeley, she resides in Hercules, California.
Dr. Alison Richardson, Ed.D
Board Member, IMC
Helene retired from The Clorox International Co. where she had been an Export Customer Service Team Leader in the International Division with responsibility for Clorox’s expanding operations in Asia, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Europe, Middle East, Russia and Africa, known as the Asia Pacific Division. Helene has 35 years of experience in International business, including management positions at steamship lines prior to joining Clorox. Helene is a proud native of New Orleans, LA.
Helene Bunch
Treasurer, IMC
John Classen, Board Member, is a retired businessman in manufacturing, wholesaling, import and export businesses. He was elected to lead his industry and lobbied successfully in Washington DC and testified before USITC (US International Trade Commission) and with grass roots organizing was the only industry that won snap back tariff relief after NAFTA which was passed into law by Congress.
John Classen
Board Member, IMC
Father Joseph Phan has served as a priest in the Catholic Diocese of Oakland for more than two decades, serving in large and small parishes and with Vietnamese Catholics. Fr. Phan has served as the Director and representative for the Stella Maris maritime ministry (formerly called the Apostleship of the Sea). He is also Priest in Residence at Divine Mercy Parish in Oakland.
Rev. Joseph Phan
Board Member, IMC
Richard Ozer is President and CEO of Office Information Systems [OIS], “a small but tenacious technology consulting firm” in Oakland CA specializing in services to the maritime industry, nonprofit organizations and companies with high social impact. Their diverse portfolio of clients include APL Maritime [CMA-CGM], Patriot Maritime and the Diocese of Oakland.
Richard Ozer
Chair, IMC
Samantha ‘Sam’ Levens is the Northern California Inspector for the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF). Sam is a longtime activist and elected leader from the Inlandboatmen’s Union (IBU) San Francisco Region, Levens has also worked as an ILWU Organizer.
“I’m honored to be working as an ITF Inspector and enjoy helping seafarers around the world organize for their rights and building solidarity between all maritime workers,” Sam says.
Samantha has previously held positions as a Youth Maritime Educator, Merchant Mariner, Archivist and Graphic Designer.
Samantha Levens
Board Member, IMC
Stan Hebert III is Vice President of Operations and Project Management at Carol H. Williams Advertising (CHWA), where he helped found the company in 1986. Before CHWA, he held executive positions at California State University, including Vice President of Student Affairs, and contributed to major brands like Levi Strauss. Stan led initiatives at CSU to boost enrollment and graduation rates for underserved students, with a focus on African Americans. Known for team building and operational management, he has served on boards for several community organizations. He continues to support young adults in the Bay Area and is respected for his innovative work in business and education.
Stanley Hebert, III
Board Member, IMC
Our Purpose & Plans
Full Speed Ahead
Strategic Action Agenda
From the beginnings of the Seafarers’ Ministry of the Golden Gate in 1946, perhaps only the most visionary leaders could have imagined the organization as it settles into the 21st century. From a small chaplaincy dedicated to Scandinavian seafarers, the Seafarers Ministry of the Golden Gate has become an alliance of two non-profit organization working in cooperation with the business, civic, community, and faith sectors to provide service to seafarers and the maritime industry and the broader community:
Seafarers Ministry of the Golden Gate [SMGG] • Together with faith-inspired organizations and educational institutions, SMGG provides Presence, Personal Support and Spiritual Care directly to Seafarers, Maritime Workers, and Their Families
The International Maritime Center [IMC] • In alliance with civic agencies, businesses, and community groups the IMC Educates, Advocates and Coordinates support for Seafarers Wellbeing and Maritime Advancement
TOGETHER…We are SMGG-at-The-IMC
Seafarers’ Ministry of the Golden Gate at the International Maritime Center [SMGG-at-the-The IMC] is a multi-sector alliance for seafarer wellbeing, maritime promotion, and community connections. PURPOSE Our purpose is to educate, encourage and connect the community to care for seafarer well-being and the spirit of the maritime industry. MISSION Our mission is to enhance the mental, physical and spiritual well-being of seafarers by providing a welcoming “home away from home” with hospitality, transportation, internet access. Spiritual guidance and emotional support. VISION We envision a future where seafarers and maritime workers worldwide, regardless of their background or financial condition, have access to the essential care, training and resources necessary to have safe, dignified and sustainable livelihoods for themselves and their families. COMMITMENT We are dedicated to serving as a valuable partner in fostering the growth and sustainability of a thriving Bay Area maritime sector that is innovative, inclusive, collaborative and exceptional in our relationship with seafarers and community stakeholders. Our commitment extends beyond the bay area as we share ideas, principles, practices and support with the maritime welfare network around the world. The COVID-19 pandemic of 2020 had devastating effects on all aspects of our world. It was especially difficult for the maritime sector and seafarers throughout the world. At the same time, the maritime industry is evolving rapidly, driven by the adoption of advanced AI technologies, global regulations for zero-emissions shipping, shifts in global trade patterns, and growing workforce shortages. Starting in 2021 we engaged in a thoughtful process to address important questions: What will seafarers need in the future? How can we be of greater service to the maritime industry? To the greater community? What will be the scope and range of maritime wellbeing services in the future? We developed a strategic direction that addresses these and other questions, now detailed in our rolling three-year Strategic Action Agenda – Full Speed Ahead, a bold, initiative built around three focus areas: Focus Area: SEAFARER WELLBEING – Excellent Care for Seafarers Signature Programs: Ship Visit & Welcome Team, Christmas At Sea Coming in 2026-27: A Home Fit for Heroes [Renovate the Maritime Center] Refurbish Maritime Center with new interior color scheme and furniture, covered patio, upgraded technology for seafarer comfort and community gatherings Make Oakland the Most Welcoming Port in the World - a civic engagement program to train 100 community volunteers as certified ship visitors to visit every ship that docks in the Port of Oakland. Focus Area: MARITIME PROMOTION – Promoting Maritime Career Awareness and Readiness to a New Generation Signature Program: Tomorrow Corps Internships [Maritime Management and Marketing; Ocean Care and Advocacy; Seafarer Rights] Coming in 2026-27: Maritime Wellbeing Academy – course work and workplace learning in maritime welfare work [occupational health issues, crisis assistance, international human/labor rights, intercultural communications, social-emotional wellbeing and more] Maritime Ministry Academy – course work and workplace learning in core competencies of chaplaincy [Active Listening, Sacred Awareness, Assessment] in the maritime context to serve as Maritime Care Specialists. Focus Area: COMMUNITY CONNECTIONS GATHERINGS Signature Program(s): World Maritime Day Connections Breakfast (September 25)
Coming in 2026-27:
Maritime A.M./Mornings and Maritime Lunch & Launch (1) – small group gatherings at The IMC featuring presentations on maritime issues with maritime professional and SMGG-at-The-IMC leaders
Maritime Mix & Mingle – public gatherings after work for networking and enjoyment featuring performances and exhibits by maritime artists and performers (2)
(1) Faith, business and community groups are invited to request a Community Connections Gathering for your group by contacting Robert Wilkins rwilkins@imcbayarea.net
(2) Fine and visual artists and performers with maritime themed works are invited to request to be featured at a Maritime Mix & Mingle Gathering; please contact Robert Wilkins rwilkins@imcbayarea.net
