Seafarers’ Center at port gives 300 gift bags to cargo crews

Center tries to create welcoming respite for hardworking mariners.

RIVIERA BEACH — The 14-member crew of the 1,400-ton cargo ship Duke of Topsail received bags of surprises as they were about to depart the Port of Palm Beach for the Bahamas this month.

Each mariner on board was given a Christmas gift bag with a hand-knit traditional “watch” cap and scarf, white socks, toiletries, a greeting card and other items. The gifts are part of the year-round outreach of the Port of Palm Beach Seafarers’ Center.

“It’s made a lot of difference for the guys,” said Capt. Kenrick Chu, born in Guyana, but now a Canadian citizen who heads the Honduran-flagged ship owned by United Abaco Shipping Co.

Through January, about 300 gift bags will be distributed to the mariners, said Aaron Hoffman, executive director of the nonprofit seafarers’ center who has overseen the multi-faith outreach since 2006.

“We like to think of our organization as the welcoming committee. We do not go there in any official capacity. We don’t do business,” said Hoffman, who works as the port’s credentialing manager.

T h e c e n t e r ’s mi s s i o n i s t o extend a warm welcome and hospitality to the mariners who work on container ships and freighters and assist them in any way it can, said Hoffman. On average, 400 seamen come to the port each week on commercial cargo ships and tug boats.

Hoffman delivered the gift bags to the crews along with Rev. Clayton Waddell, deacon of port ministry at the Church of Bethesdaby-the Sea in Palm Beach. Waddell works as a history teacher at Jupiter High.

The mariners relish receiving books and other reading material, and a favorite is National Geographic, because they’ve been to many of the places featured. Waddell, who has been visiting cargo ships at the port since 2001, has also held worship services on board when requested.

The ministry is led by Bethesda, which provided the gift items. Children from the church decorated and filled the bags. Women from Bethesda, the Church of the

PHOTOS BY ALLEN EYESTONE / THE PALM BEACH POST Aaron Hoffman (left) and the Rev. Clayton Waddell deliver gift bags to the crew of the Duke of Topsail at the Port of Palm Beach recently. The bags are filled with hand-knitted hats, scarves, toiletries and other items prepared by the nonprofit Port of Palm Beach Seafarers’ Center.

Aaron Hoffman, executive director of the Seafarers’ Center, calls the organization a welcoming committee.