Seafarers And International House Inc.

What Seafarers And International House Inc. does

Seafarers International House, Inc. (SIH) is a 501(c)(3) Lutheran nonprofit founded in 1873 and affiliated with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA) since 1987. The organization operates a dual-mission program combining port ministry to international seafarers with housing and social services for asylum seekers and immigrants. Port chaplains and ship visitors serve merchant crews at six US ports — Albany, Baltimore, Duluth, Houston, New Haven, and New York & New Jersey — providing gangway visits, WiFi connectivity, transportation to shopping and medical facilities, online shopping assistance, pastoral care, and the Christmas-at-Sea holiday gift satchel program. In 2025 SIH boarded 1,347 ships and visited 14,078 seafarers.

SIH concurrently operates a 11-room guesthouse and partner-leased housing that provided 1,328 lodging nights to 19 asylum seekers in 2025 (down from 33 served in 2024), through referral-based intake from partner agencies including First Friends, Catholic Charities of New York, Mami Chelo Foundation, HIAS, LIRS, and IRC. A licensed social worker (Michael Bradford) provides case management, paperwork assistance, and referrals. Since 2012 SIH has formally continued the work of the German Seamen's Mission of New York and remains affiliated with Deutsche Seemannsmission e.V.

SIH employs 11–50 staff, has no proprietary technology, and uses consumer tools (WhatsApp, WiFi hotspots) and DonorPerfect for donor management. Revenue is generated entirely through donations, charitable contributions, and rental income from the flagship 120 West 14th Street building, which has been leased to a mission-aligned partner since the COVID-19 restructuring. 86% of expenses support programs. The organization operates on a strategic plan running through 2028 and is renovating a new permanent headquarters to replace its post-pandemic temporary facility.

Name

Seafarers And International House Inc.

Legal name

Seafarers International House, Inc.

Website

https://sihnyc.org

Company type

Private

Founded year

1873

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Seafarers International House is a 501(c)(3) Lutheran nonprofit, founded in 1873, that provides port chaplaincy and ship visits to international seafarers at six US ports and free housing plus social-work support to asylum seekers in New York.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Maritime and Immigration Welfare Services

NAICS

Support Activities for Water Transportation (4883)

SIC

Water Transportation (4400)

akta.pro industry

PRIMARYTHAEAFAJ

Onshore Concierge & Guest Services

Travel & Hospitality/Cruises & Maritime Leisure Travel/Cruise Booking, Shore Excursions & Port Services

Keywords

• Port chaplaincy services
• Seafarer welfare services
• Asylum seeker housing
• Immigration social services
• Maritime mission services

Headquarters

HQ city

New York

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices7 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and Charitable Contributions: SIH is a 501(c)(3) tax-exempt nonprofit organization funded primarily through donations from individuals, congregations, and the public. The website prominently features a donate button with options to designate gifts to seafarers, immigrants, or where most needed. 86% of expenses support programs.
2. Leasing of Flagship Building: SIH has adopted a post-pandemic business model where it leases out its flagship building to a not-for-profit partner that aligns with its work. This arrangement generates rental income while enabling SIH to focus on its core mission.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Seafarers International House is a 501(c)(3) Lutheran nonprofit that provides free port chaplaincy, ship visits, WiFi connectivity, transportation, and pastoral care to international seafarers at six U.S. ports, and free temporary housing, social work case management, and detention visitation for asylum seekers referred by partner agencies. All services are delivered at no cost to beneficiaries and funded through donations, with 86% of expenses going directly to programs.

Product overview

Seafarers International House is a Lutheran nonprofit organization (501(c)(3)) offering a suite of humanitarian services to seafarers and immigrants. The organization operates port mission services with chaplains visiting ships in six U.S. ports, provides temporary housing and social work assistance for asylum seekers, organizes the Christmas-at-Sea gift satchel program, and facilitates detention center visitations. Services are delivered through staff chaplains, volunteers, and partner agencies without a technology product or software platform. The core offerings are Port Mission Services (ship visiting, pastoral care, transportation, shopping assistance), Asylum Seeker Housing and Support (temporary lodging, case management, employment assistance), Christmas-at-Sea Program (holiday gift delivery), Detention Center Visitation (volunteer companion visits), Social Work Care and Resources (paperwork, referrals, counseling), and SeafarerHelp Hotline Referral (crisis helpline connection).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Christmas-at-Sea: A holiday initiative that delivers gift satchels filled with warm clothing, knitted items, snacks, and holiday greetings to seafarers during the Christmas season. In 2025, 3,405 satchels were delivered.
• Port Call

Products and services

• Port Mission Services Free ship-boarding chaplaincy and pastoral care, WiFi hotspot provision for family communication, transport to shopping malls and medical facilities, online shopping order delivery, and emotional/spiritual support to international seafarers during U.S. port calls at Albany, Baltimore, Duluth, Houston, New Haven, and NY & NJ.
• Asylum Seeker Housing and Support Free temporary lodging (11 guestrooms at SIH's temporary headquarters plus overflow partner housing), social work case management, meal vouchers, and assistance navigating bureaucracy, finding employment, and securing permanent housing for asylum seekers referred by approved partner agencies such as First Friends, Mami Chelo Foundation, and Catholic Charities.
• Christmas-at-Sea Program Holiday gift satchels containing sweatshirts, socks, T-shirts, knitted winter caps, nuts or chocolate, and personal greeting cards, assembled by volunteer groups and distributed to seafarers aboard ships during the Christmas season. Filled satchel costs approximately $40 for donor-purchased items.
• Detention Center Visitation Organized volunteer visits to asylum seekers held in immigration detention facilities, providing companionship, hope, and advocacy during their legal proceedings, and connecting released detainees to SIH's housing and social services.
• Social Work Care and Resources One-on-one social work assistance including help with unemployment and disability paperwork, referrals to community resources, retirement transition support, and personal counseling for seafarers and asylum seekers.
• SeafarerHelp Hotline Referral Referral and promotion of SeafarerHelp, a free, confidential, multilingual helpline for seafarers and their families available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year, operated by the International Seafarers Welfare Assistance Network (ISWAN).

Quantifiable outcome

• 19,519 seafarers and immigrants served in 2025
• +7 more outcomes

Named customers10 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Partnerships

23 partnerships are on record, tiered core, major, secondary and regional.

• Deutsche Seemannsmission e. V.coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2012Since 2012, SIH officially continues the work of the German Seamen's Mission in New York with German-speaking staff and port chaplains. The German Seamen's Mission, based in Bremen, Germany, merged into SIH. SIH remains affiliated with Deutsche Seemannsmission e.V. The German Seamen's Mission in New York was originally founded in 1907 and housed at SIH in 1983.
• Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 1987SIH became an affiliated mission of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America in 1987 following the consolidation of various Lutheran judicatories in the United States. ELCA is the parent denomination providing denominational support, connection to Lutheran congregations, and access to volunteer and fundraising networks across the US.
• American Maritime Officers (AMO)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerAMO is listed as a supporter of the Christmas-at-Sea initiative. AMO is an officers' union that supports the welfare of maritime professionals and has been a longstanding partner in SIH's port ministry.
• Officers Union of International Seamen (OUIS)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerOUIS is listed as a supporter of the Christmas-at-Sea initiative. The union supports SIH's efforts to bring holiday cheer and supplies to seafarers during the Christmas season.
• Matson Navigation Company, Inc.majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMatson is listed as a supporter of the Christmas-at-Sea initiative. As a major shipping company operating in the Pacific, Matson supports SIH's mission to serve seafarers.
• Seafarers International Union (SIU)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSIU is listed as a supporter of the Christmas-at-Sea initiative. The Seafarers International Union represents maritime workers and has a longstanding relationship with SIH, dating back to collaborative work through the National Maritime Union and SIU social services.
• First Friends of New Jersey and New YorkcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerFirst Friends is an immigrant advocacy organization that refers detained asylum seekers to SIH for housing and support. First Friends also connects released detainees to SIH's guesthouse and social services. The organizations work together to help asylees get on their feet after detention.
• Mami Chelo FoundationsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorMami Chelo Foundation is one of SIH's immigration partner agencies that refers asylum seekers to SIH for temporary housing and social work assistance. The foundation serves as a referral source connecting vulnerable immigrants to SIH's services.
• Catholic Charities of New YorksecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorCatholic Charities of New York is referenced as a partner providing case management, emergency funds, clothes, and benefits enrollment for asylum seekers. SIH works in coordination with Catholic Charities as part of the network supporting newly arrived immigrants.
• HIAS (Hebrew Immigrant Aid Society)secondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorHIAS is listed on SIH's Related Links page as a partner organization providing immigrant and refugee services. HIAS is a global Jewish organization that helps refugees and works in coordination with organizations like SIH.
• International Rescue CommitteesecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorThe International Rescue Committee (IRC) is listed on SIH's Related Links page as a partner organization. IRC assists refugees and displaced persons and may refer clients to SIH's services.
• Lutheran Immigration and Refugees Service (LIRS)secondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLIRS is listed on SIH's Related Links page as a partner organization. LIRS is the resettlement agency of the Lutheran church and works with affiliated organizations like SIH to serve immigrants and refugees.
• Safe horizonsecondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSafe Horizon is listed on SIH's Related Links page as a partner organization providing support to survivors of violence and trafficking. SIH focuses on asylum seekers, survivors of violence, and human trafficking, and may coordinate with Safe Horizon for client referrals.
• ITF Seafarers' TrustmajorStrategic or Co-development PartnerITF Seafarers' Trust is referenced on SIH's website through Leadership Council member Katie Higginbottom (Head of ITF Seafarers' Trust). The Trust supports port ministry work worldwide and SIH's Leadership Council includes its representative.
• Baltimore International Seafarers' Center (BISC)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerBISC (Baltimore International Seafarers' Center) is referenced through Chaplain Rev. Vitalii Guz who serves the Port of Baltimore. BISC provides seafarer services in Baltimore and collaborates with SIH's port ministry.
• Twin Port Ministry to Seafarers (TPMS)regionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerTPMS (Twin Port Ministry to Seafarers) in Duluth, MN is referenced through Chaplain Rev. Douglas Paulson. TPMS serves seafarers at the Port of Duluth and collaborates with SIH's ministry.
• Houston International Seafarers CenterregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Houston International Seafarers Center is referenced as a partner organization providing seafarer services at the Port of Houston. SIH's Port of Houston chaplain Rev. Tammy Sharp works in collaboration with this center.
• SeafarerHelp (ISWAN)secondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSeafarerHelp is a free, confidential, multilingual helpline for seafarers and their families, available 24 hours a day, 365 days per year. SIH directs seafarers to this resource on its Chat with a Chaplain page. Operated by ISWAN (International Seafarers' Welfare Assistance Network).
• White and Williams, LLPsecondaryImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerWhite and Williams, LLP is a New York City law firm that donated pro bono legal services to help Sam, an asylum seeker, with his immigration court case. SIH coordinated with this firm as part of its network supporting asylees.
• American Immigration Lawyers Association (AILA)secondaryChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAILA provided technical consulting on immigration law to volunteer attorneys helping Sam with his asylum case. AILA is a professional association of immigration lawyers whose members may refer clients and provide expertise.
• Marine Engineers' Beneficial Association (MEBA)majorStrategic or Co-development PartnerMEBA is listed on SIH's Related Links page and on the Leadership Council. MEBA represents marine engineers and supports SIH's mission through board participation and industry advocacy.
• Seamen's Church InstituteregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerThe Seamen's Church Institute (SCI) is listed on SIH's Related Links page. SCI is a major maritime ministry organization that, like SIH, serves seafarers at US ports.
• United Seamen's ServiceregionalStrategic or Co-development PartnerUnited Seamen's Service is listed on SIH's Related Links page. It is a maritime welfare organization supporting seafarers at US ports.

Scale indicators15 records

Recent moves8 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Others

• Catholic Charities of New York: Faith-based nonprofit providing case management, emergency funds, and benefits enrollment to asylum seekers in NYC and a listed SIH partner. Comparable immigrant-services footprint and referral-based service model in the same geography.
• North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA): Coordinating body for seafarer welfare ministries across North America, including SIH. Comparable as an ecosystem enabler and peer convener rather than a direct service provider to seafarers.
• Lutheran Immigration and Refugee Service (LIRS): ELCA-affiliated refugee resettlement agency and SIH listed partner. Highly comparable faith-based approach to immigrant services, and a natural referral partner for SIH's asylum seeker program.

Regional players

• Houston International Seafarers Center: One of SIH's named partner organizations serving seafarers at the Port of Houston. Highly comparable service model (ship visits, transportation, pastoral care) but regional scope of a single port rather than multi-port US coverage.
• Twin Port Ministry to Seafarers (TPMS): Partner organization delivering port chaplaincy at the Port of Duluth under Chaplain Rev. Douglas Paulson. Same ship-visit and seafarer welfare service model as SIH, but regional to a single inland port.
• Baltimore International Seafarers' Center (BISC): Partner organization where SIH port chaplain Rev. Vitalii Guz operates. Provides identical seafarer welfare services at the Port of Baltimore — directly comparable activities but confined to a single port.

Direct peers

• ISWAN (International Seafarers' Welfare Assistance Network): International coordinating body that operates the SeafarerHelp helpline that SIH refers crew members to. Same beneficiary (international seafarers) and overlapping service set (welfare, helpline, advocacy); comparable as a hub in the seafarer welfare ecosystem.
• Mission to Seafarers: Anglican international maritime welfare charity operating port chaplaincy and seafarer support across hundreds of ports worldwide. Same port-chaplain ministry model and seafarer welfare focus as SIH, with comparable service suite (transport, WiFi, advocacy).
• Seamen's Church Institute (SCI): The largest US-based independent maritime ministry, providing seafarer services, lodging, and advocacy at major US ports. Directly comparable to SIH in mission, faith-based orientation, and port-based service model serving merchant crews.
• Stella Maris (formerly Apostleship of the Sea): International Catholic maritime welfare organization providing port chaplaincy, ship visits, and seafarer welfare services globally. Highly comparable to SIH's port ministry model, faith-based ethos, and concierge-style shoreside support.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Facebookfacebook.com/seafarersinternationalhouse
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/seafarers-&-international-house
• Instagraminstagram.com/sihnyc/?hl=en

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles5 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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M&A

Investments

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Frequently asked questions about Seafarers And International House Inc.