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Ports Worldwide
welcome to SCFS

Seafarers' Christian Friend Society

For over 170 years, we have provided a lifeline to men and women, from all nations, who work at sea. Our chaplains, with your support, offer compassion, friendship and support for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

If you or a loved one have ever had to isolate or remain housebound, you’ll know the feeling of disconnection that seafarers feel on a much bigger scale. With quick turnarounds at port, they rarely have the opportunity to leave their ship and get on dry land.

Over the years, our chaplains and volunteer ship visitors have boarded thousands of ships when they arrive in port and have connected with tens of thousands of crew, both male and female, sharing the Good News of Jesus Christ.

Supporting Seafarers

For up to nine months many seafarers seldom have the opportunity to come on shore from their ship.

Where We serve

Over 35 Port Chaplains and Volunteer Ship Visitors meet seafarers on board merchant ships in over 20 ports.

Get involved

SCFS wouldn’t exist without the vital involvement and support of individuals, churches and businesses. Find out how.

Give

Your generous donations and gifts allow us to share the Gospel, serve and provide vital support to seafarers.

Watch The SCFS Video

Please take a few moments to watch the SCFS video.  This will give you great insight into the work of Seafarers’ Christian Friend Society around the world.  Click the play button below to begin.

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Why SCFS

What we provide

For Seafarers

For over 170 years, we have provided a lifeline to men and women, from all nations, who work at sea. Our chaplains, with your support, offer compassion, friendship and support for their physical, emotional and spiritual needs.

Seafarers' Families

Seafarers regularly tell our visitors about spending their lives thousands of miles from home. As well as the obvious problems of spending so long away from loved ones, seafarers can also encounter difficulties and struggle to readjust when they return home.

For Supporters

SCFS wouldn’t be able to befriend and support seafarers without financial donations from people like you, our generous friends and supporters. Here are some simple ways that your financial support can help us do this work best.

SCFS Provides many ways you can get involved

testimonial/News Stories

Stories

News from SCFS Dublin

Longing For Family... At Christmas Dublin News

Introducing "The Seafarer's Family - Reality or Illusion" by Martin Otto.

The Seafarer's Family - Reality or Illusion? Hamburg News Story

Sam's trip to Fairview Primary SU to share about our work with the seafarers...

Happy Christmas Sailors! Belfast News

Celebrating Sam's 25th Anniversary as SCFS Belfast Port Chaplain

Sam's 25th Anniversary Belfast News

SCFS chaplains and ship visitors seek to encourage Christian seafarers to meet together as a fellowship. Read on to discover more about "Church on the Ocean".

Church on the Ocean News Page

John gives an update on the new cruising season.

Cruising in the Caribbean St Lucia Port News

A game of chess leads to a chat about the King of Life...

Missing Pieces Limerick News Story

An update from the new SCFS team...

Foynes-Limerick News Foynes-Limerick News

Colin shares about cruise ship visits, the Cobh Seafarers Centre and new volunteers in his latest prayer letter, "Harbour Lights, Cork Tides".

Harbour Lights, Cork Tides - Autumn/Winter 2024 Cork Port News

News and stories in our Autumn 2024 Helmsman magazine - available to download.

Helmsman Autumn 2024 News Page

Peter & Hermie ship visiting in Portsmouth.

'I have food to eat that you know nothing about' Portsmouth Port News

Congratulations to Sam Cowan on receiving the MNWB Lifetime Achievement Award.

Lifetime Achievement Award Belfast Port News

Colin shares an article circulated across the ship written by the HR Manager...

A Grand Day Out In Cobh & Queen Mary 2's Basketball All-Stars! Cork Seafarer News Story

Sam represents SCFS on Merchant Navy Day.

Flying The Red Ensign Belfast Port News

Mike shares the heart of the Montrose Mission Project...

A Sea Sunday Address Montrose Port News

A centre for seafarers...

Good News For Cork Cork Port News

Extracts from Mike's 'Log Book' and his conversations with Rio give insight into the Montrose Port Chaplaincy Project, 'Seafarers Looking to Jesus'.

Seafarers Looking to Jesus Montrose Port Page

Rio, shares his testimony with Mike, SCFS Montrose port chaplain.

Seafarer Story... Rio Montrose Port

A man opens his door to sailors from around the world.

The Messenger Hamburg Port News

Hermie, one of our SCFS Portsmouth Ship Visitors, writes about her recent visit home, when she was also able to visit the SCFS Manila team.

Visiting the SCFS Family in Manila Portsmouth and Manila Port News

Discover about Sharon's experiences as she joined the Portsmouth team...

Coming Onboard SCFS Portsmouth Portsmouth Port page

Iain writes about his upcoming move to work for SCFS in Aberdeen.

Dispatches From Aberdeen - June 2024 Aberdeen Port News

Encouraging Update on SCFS Belfast.

Cowan's Log - June 2024 Belfast Port News

"Finally, I'm able to see my son!" A heart felt message from Pascha, a Lithuanian seafarer...

A Precious Gift Cork Port News

Jessica shares an insight into the multi-faceted work of SCFS in the Philippines.

SCFS Philippines on the Go! Manila Port News

Tony shares about an innovative ministry to the seafarers in Portsmouth.

The Power of Praise Portsmouth Port News

Sam Cowan represents SCFS at a celebratory service.

RLNI's 200th Anniversary Belfast Port News

Read the latest news from Theo & Yvonne...

Updates from Amsterdam Amsterdam Port News

Sam reports on his first cruise ship visit of the season...

First Time In Belfast Belfast Port News

Jae shares about some of his recent encounters with seafarers...

Dublin News Dublin Port News

The SCFS Philippines team enjoyed a visit on board Doulos Hope...

Doulos Hope Visits Manila Manila Port News

Highlights from recent ship visitations in Amsterdam, including "Tulip-Action"....

Tulip-Action! Amsterdam Port News

A SCFS Chaplain shares how his life was dramatically changed while he was working as a deck hand on a banana cargo ship.

A Deckhand Meets The Master St Lucia Port News

Good News for Everyone!

Belfast News Belfast Port News

Gordon shares about the work with the seafarers in Foynes-Limerick.

Introducing SCFS Limerick Limerick Port News

New SCFS Limerick team member turns on the heat...

Going the Extra Mile Foynes-Limerick News Story

The Cork team comes to the aid of stranded fishermen.

Stranded Cork News Story

Ryan, a cook from the Philippines, shares how he almost became a murderer!

Foiled! Hamburg News Story

How a search for batteries led to an opportunity to share the Good News.

Please replace your batteries... Hamburg News Story

How God answered a seafarer’s prayer…

Estelito's Prayer Hamburg News Story