NAMMA Announces Annual Conference Focused on Welfare of Seafarers and Fishers

The North American Maritime Ministry Association is happy to announce its upcoming annual conference focused on the welfare of seafarers and fishers around the world.  Running from August 2-5, 2016 at the scenic Portsmouth Renaissance Waterfront Hotel in Portsmouth, VA, the conference will gather more than 100 representatives from international seafarers’ and fishers’ welfare agencies to discuss the most critical issues of their work regionally and worldwide. 

Rev. Marsh L. Drege, Executive Director of Seafarers’ International House and President of NAMMA’s Board says, “Social isolation is unfortunately a characteristic part of the lives of seafarers and fishers worldwide. The 2016 NAMMA conference will help chaplains and ship visitors focus even more on the essential goal of being present for those who are alone.”

Keynote presentations will come from:

Ian Urbina, Pulitzer-prize winning New York Times journalist and author of “The Outlaw Ocean” article series.  Urbina will present on the challenges to fishers’ welfare worldwide.

Martin Doblmeier, founder of Journey Films and producer of the recent nationally-televised PBS documentary “Chaplains”.  Since 1984, Doblmeier has produced and directed more than 30 films focused on religion, faith, and spirituality. Doblmeier will present on the current challenges and opportunities for chaplaincy work across all sectors.

Other program presenters and exhibitors include representatives of the:

•United States Coast Guard

•Chamber of Shipping of America

•Seafarers’ International Union/International Transport Workers Federation

•North American Marine Environment Protection Association

•Mission to Seafarers

•Sailors’ Society

•Apostleship of the Sea

•Center for Seafarers’ Rights of the Seamen’s Church Institute NY & NJ

•Apostleship of the Sea-USA

•International Christian Maritime Association

•International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network

•ITF Seafarers’ Trust

Information for registration and accommodation is available on the NAMMA website (visit www.namma.org and click on the “Conference 2016” tab). Opportunities for sponsorship and exhibition tables are still available.   Please contact Jason Zuidema, Executive Director at NAMMA, for more information, [email protected] or (514) 993-6528.