About Us
The Ministry to Seafarers in the Port of Montreal is a mission
run by the Christian Reformed Church. While our primary work
occurs on board ships while they are in the port, we operate
out of a centre for seafarers which is open every day.
The Ministry to Seafarers works in conjunction with Mariner's
House of Montreal, who actually runs the centre. We have an
office in the centre and we provide chaplains as well as volunteers
from Canada and the United States who assist the staff to
provide hospitality to all seafarers regardless of nationality
or religion. Catholic and Anglican chaplains also work out
of the centre, so we have a total of three chaplains to ship
visit and conduct services.
 In
2003, we had approximately 15,000 seafarers visit the centre.
Through the use of phone cards, private phone booths, and
e-mail, seafarers are able to contact their homes inexpensively.
At Christmas each seafarer is given a parcel prepared individually
in area churches. These are bundled together and placed on
every ship in Montreal during November and December.
Between Ministry to Seafarers and Mariner's House, we maintain
four vans which carry seafarers to and from their ships. The
centre is located in the heart of the Old Port of Montreal,
and is easily accessible to the centre city.
The seafarer's centre houses offices, a chapel, quiet lounge,
library, video room, and hospitality area. We are located
next to the cruise ship terminal, so the crews have easy access
to us.
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