The Seaman’s Service has been welcoming international seafarers to Cleveland since 1964, providing services to foreign crew members while they are in the Port of Cleveland. Volunteer staff assist seafarers between noon and 8 p.m. in two four-hour shifts each day that a ship is in port.

“The Seaman’s Service plays a crucial role in making Cleveland a welcoming port for international seafarers. Their dedication to ensuring the well-being of these crew members, who often spend months away from home, is truly commendable. We are deeply grateful for their service and the positive impact they have on the lives of so many,” said the Port’s Will Friedman.

In 2023, services were provided during 61 Port calls by different foreign cargo ships. The seafarers — mostly from countries in Asia and Eastern Europe, with the leading numbers from India, the Philippines, Poland and Ukraine — do dangerous work, earn modest wages and are isolated from home for up to nine months.

The Seamen’s Service, an all-volunteer organization, was formed to welcome, serve and support these visitors, and is one of only a few such groups on the Great Lakes serving international seafarers. They are based out of a converted cargo container at the Port.

The Service has 17 Participating Members who actively volunteer at the Port, with an equal number of Supporting Members who help out in other ways. The majority of members are retirees.

The service provides:

• Help contacting family members back home
• Free WiFi
• Help with shopping and arranging cultural, recreational or religious activities
• Arranging or providing local transportation
• Snacks, souvenirs, DVD’s and a comfortable place to relax and socialize

“Multiple agencies focus on the operation of the vessel itself and on the managing of its cargo. Only Seamen’s Service is focused on the welfare of the crew,” said Eric Kretzmann of Seamen’s Service.

Their volunteering is appreciated by both ship captains and crew members.

“When no one else is around, we know that we can count on you to be here for us,” said the captain of the Edenborg.

For more information on Seamen’s Service, go to www.clevelandss.org.