As a chaplain with the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI), the largest and most comprehensive seafarer support agency in North America, The Reverend Dr. Bill Allport provides pastoral care, crisis support, and humanitarian assistance to mariners navigating the challenges of life at sea. Based at the International Seafarers’ Center (ISC) in Port Newark, Reverend Bill Allport reviews ship logs for the Port of New York and New Jersey and coordinates ship visits to connect with seafarers. His work extends to container terminals throughout the region, offering support to mariners dealing with long deployments, challenging working conditions, and time away from their families.
Rev. Allport has experience in ministry, crisis intervention, and emergency response. He is trained for helicopter deployment to assist mariners aboard offshore drilling platforms and wind support vessels. Following the March 2024 collision of the container ship Dali with the Key Bridge in Maryland, he was among the chaplains providing care to the crew. As an ordained Episcopal minister, he also leads religious services for seafarers aboard ships and at the ISC.
Beyond his chaplaincy, Rev. Bill Allport focuses on seafarer advocacy, acknowledging the challenges maritime workers encounter. He provides support through crisis counseling, humanitarian aid, and companionship, aiming to assist those in the industry. In serving seafarers, he recognizes their important role in global trade.