Who Are the Seafarers?

Seafarers are people who make their living from the sea. This is the broadest, most inclusive way of thinking about whom NESM serves. This means that for us, seafarers are the men and women who work aboard ships in any capacity, the men and women who work shoreside jobs in the maritime industry, commercial fishers and their families, and we even see an obligation to the needs of the MassPort workers and Longshoremen, although they are not our primary population.

NESM's foundation rests on ministering to the crews of industrial and cruise ships, making pastoral visits in Boston, Narragansett Bay, and in the ports of New Hampshire and Maine through local churches participating in our mission.

Many of the seafarers come from nations with emerging economies. These men and women are willing to work long, difficult, dangerous, and always lonley hours in order to help their families get ahead and to break the cycle of poverty. While their wages mostly would seem low to us, because of their economic situations, the wages are very high for them.

Some come from a family with a maritime tradition, others feel blessed that God has provided this means of being a good provider.