Helping Seafarers for over 200 Years: 1821-Now
The Charleston Port and Seafarers Society is a Christian organization that exists for the purpose of welcoming and serving the needs of those men and women who make their livelihood in the port or at sea, without regard for nationality, race, ethnicity, politics or religion.
Thank you for visiting our site. Here you will learn about our organization and what we do in order to continue to provide for the needs of the thousands of seafarers visiting Charleston.
Please contact us at chapssmail@gmail.com.
Each year, more than 65,000 seafarers arrive on hundreds of vessels in the Charleston Port. Most crews are made up of seafarers from many different countries and from many cultures. Three to four nationalities are common on one vessel, with a crew of around 25 seafarers. Many are lonely, away from home, and their families for up to a year at a time. The need and opportunity for ministry to these brothers and sisters is tremendous.
We operate three Seafarers Centers at Wando Welch Terminal, North Charleston Terminal and Columbus Street Terminal. All Centers provide religious material, Bibles, magazines and other items along with phone, computer and internet access.
We have vehicles and volunteers ready to provide free transportation to local shopping and other attractions. Our volunteers are committed to providing what the visiting seafarers need and we go to great lengths to make sure they are helped.
