Announcement concerning COVID-19 Corona Virus

Greetings one and all,

This is obviously uncharted waters, (yes, pun intended) for all of us ahead. I and my staff have been keeping a close eye on changing conditions due to the Covid-19 Corona virus. Our focus has been in 2 directions; How does this affect our seafarers, and how will this affect our volunteer partners?

For our seafarers, they are a captive audience while working on ships. US businesses and schools have urged or required their employees and students to stay home. Unfortunately, seafarers cannot work from home. They are experiencing the same stress as you and me if not more. I and our port chaplains are still visiting industrial ships. As of this writing, the cruise ship season in Boston is still scheduled but 2 cruise lines (Princess and Viking) have already canceled global operations for the immediate future. We are monitoring the situation and in conversation with MassPort about impending decisions.

If the season continues and cruise ships can come to Boston, we are still not sure if crew will be allowed to disembark. We are committed to staying open if possible.

Which brings us to our volunteer teams. Obviously if the cruise season is postponed or suspended, we will announce the same on our website and social media. For those who have signed up we will reach out to you by e-mail.

If the season can continue and cruise ships enter Boston, we will open our doors. However, there need to be some precautions;

  1. We are trying to stockpile hand sanitizer and gloves. Not masks. They are for the sick and if you are sick, obviously you should not come to serve. (see US Surgeon General and W.H.O.)
  2. We are cleaning and sanitizing our facility daily.
  3. We strongly discourage volunteers age 65 and older from attending a cruise ship ministry day. I realize this may severely limit our volunteer numbers, but care and caution for your health are more important.
  4. If you have a previous health condition as listed by our Public Health Specialists E.g. Heart disease, Diabetes, Lung disease, etc. you SHOULD NOT ATTEND a cruise mission day.
  5. If you are caring for the elderly, or have any other health concerns, please consider not coming into NESM.

If you fall into the categories as listed above, please feel the freedom to cancel your time here. We understand completely, and frankly I’d rather have the peace of mind knowing that you are not exposed through time spent here.

We have a poster in the Mission that says – “I don’t know what the future holds, but I know who holds the future.” Thank you and continue praying for our seafarers.

Rev. Stephen Cushing, Chaplain, New England Seafarers Mission