Welcome, to the
International Maritime Center

A Day in the Life of the
International Maritime Center

Andres and his fellow seafarers were anxious. They had spent days anchored off the coast waiting for a space to unload. Still, the crew held onto hope that they would be able to go to shore following an exhausting seven months at sea.

After what felt like ages a space became available and they were allowed to dock. They were unsure whether U.S. Customs and Border Control would issue shore passes, but again their luck held and the sailors were given leave to enter Oakland.

“Hey Cap!”, they shout to Andres. “Get us a ride! Get us a ride to the Apple store! Get us a ride to Best Buy…let’s go to the mall. I want to get my wife some perfume for our anniversary!! Get us a ride, Cap”

Andres unfolded his laptop and pecked away at the keys.

Hitting SEND the note went out to “Seafarer Friends” at the international maritime center. It wasn’t exactly a distress call,

but in a way it really was.

At the Maritime Center, things were slowly coming to life. The cleaning crew was tidying up while the landscaper watered the flowers. The Administrative Coordinators, Chaplains, and other volunteers started trickling in around 9:30 ready to open the center by 10:00.

meanwhile, the sailors milled about in the parking lot waiting for their ride to come. A few decided to walk to the center but most continued to wait. Only a few minutes later the shuttle arrived and The volunteer drivers rolled down the window to give a hearty welcome

“Welcome to Oakland, Seafarers! Come on Board!” as the seaman happily piled in. “Thank you for calling us. We’ll hit the Apple store and Best Buy first, they get real crowded fast.” With no time wasted the van took off into town.

The half dozen seafarers who chose to walk arrived at the center greeted by friendly faces and the smell of fresh hot coffee. Tito and Vladimir turn on the television and flop down into some couches to enjoy a fresh pastry. Omar and Claudia grab paddles and square off for a game of table tennis. Reuben asks to purchase a phone card to make an international call to his family in Ukraine.

Adhi goes in search of the chaplain.

“Pastor I’ve had a hard time these last months may I speak with you.”

“Of course, Adhi, what is on your mind?”

This is a day in the life of the International Maritime Center.

Home: Welcome

Hundreds

of Ships Visited

Thousands

of Seafarers Supported

Countless

Lives Changed

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Welcome, to the International Maritime Center

A Day in the Life of the International Maritime Center