This course is an introduction to the mission and vision of the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA). NAMMA is an ecumenical, Christian association of individuals and affiliated organizations involved in maritime ministry throughout North America, including the United States, Canada, and the Caribbean. Founded in 1932 as the National Group of Seamen’s Agencies, it was renamed NAMMA in 1991. Its mission is to provide a framework to support and assist port chaplains and others in their ministry to the spiritual, moral, human rights, and physical concerns of mariners and all others in the maritime community. NAMMA helps equip port chaplains with the resources needed to carry on their ministry. It acts as a consultant and coordinator for services and training, as well as providing standards for these services. NAMMA includes approximately 100 member individuals from a wide variety of denominations and 55 affiliated ministry agencies. NAMMA also serves as the North American region of the International Christian Maritime Association.
This module is on the value and importance of ship visiting. Inherent in life at sea is social isolation. Ship visiting is a means to combat social isolation and be of service to seafarers far from their homes and family.
In this lesson students watch and discuss the documentary of Christopher Mims called "Why Global Supply Chains May Never Be the Same" from 2022. A key focus of the documentary (which is based on the book "Arriving Today") is the relentless pursuit of the shipping industry for finding efficiencies. It is helpful for those involved in seafarers' welfare to understand how efficiencies are found, but also the impact that greater efficiency has on the people - seafarers, truckers, warehouse workers - involved in the supply chain.