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MARINERS DEPEND ON SCI.
SCI DEPENDS ON YOU.
| | SCI's President & Executive Director, the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt (third from left), and SCI Chaplain, the Rev. Nancy Simpson (third from right), visit the ACBL dock and the crew of the M/V Mark Glaab in Channelview, TX. | | |
IN THIS ISSUE – April 2026
- 2026 Maritime Bell Awards Luncheon
- Center for Mariner Advocacy Welcomes Summer 2026 Intern
- Simulating Safety: The Future of the I-49 Arkansas River Bridge
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SCI Chaplain Featured in The Galveston County Daily News
- Partnering in Care: Building Mariner-Friendly Congregations
- Connecting Students to the Maritime World at SCI’s ISC
- Mariner Wellness Session at IMX 2026
- 48th Annual Silver Bell Awards Dinner—Save the Date
- From the Archives— From Washington’s Oath to Operation Sail: A Waterfront Legacy
| | THANK YOU TO OUR CORPORATE SPONSORS | | Pictured left to right: David Lane, Canal Barge, LLC—MBAL Event Co-chair; Matt Woodruff, Kirby Corporation; Kelly Teichman, T&T Group of Companies—Maritime Bell Award Recipient; the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, President & Executive Director of the Seamen’s Church Institute; Lance Sannino, Enterprise Marine Services, LLC—MBAL Event Co-chair. | | 2026 Maritime Bell Awards Luncheon | | |
On April 23, 2026, More than 300 maritime leaders and professionals gathered at the Hilton Americas–Houston for the Seamen’s Church Institute’s Annual Maritime Bell Awards Luncheon.
During the event, Kelly M. Teichman, Executive Chairman of T&T Group of Companies, received the Maritime Bell Award, and Sandra Ashford, Director of Training, HSSE at Ingram Marine Group, was honored with the Outstanding Trainer Award.
“We always look forward to visiting Houston each spring to connect with the maritime community, and the Maritime Bell Awards Luncheon provides an opportunity to recognize the exceptional contributions of industry leaders,” said the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, President and Executive Director of the Seamen’s Church Institute. “This year’s honorees, Kelly and Sandra, are truly deserving of this recognition.”
“I’ve been incredibly fortunate to work alongside leaders, mentors, and colleagues who have believed in me, challenged me, and trusted me with the responsibility of supporting others,” said Sandra Ashford. “This award reflects their support as much as my own efforts.”
“For those of us deeply connected to SCI’s mission, this recognition also speaks to what inspires us to be part of such an extraordinary organization and industry,” added Kelly Teichman.
The luncheon raised nearly $300,000 in support of SCI’s core programs, including Ministry on the River, which serves U.S. inland and coastal mariners, as well as the Center for Maritime Education and the Center for Mariner Advocacy.
“We are especially grateful to everyone who attended and to our event sponsors,” Nestlehutt added. “We also extend our sincere thanks to event co-chairs David Lane of Canal Barge, LLC, and Lance Sannino of Enterprise Marine Services, LLC, along with the entire Maritime Bell Luncheon committee for their dedication and hard work in making this event a success.”
| | Pictured left to right: David Lane, Canal Barge, LLC—MBAL Event Co-chair; Lance Sannino, Enterprise Marine Services, LLC—MBAL Event Co-chair; Sandra Ashford, Ingram Marine Group—Outstanding Trainer Award Recipient; John D. Roberts, President & CEO of Ingram Marine Group, the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, President & Executive Director of the Seamen’s Church Institute. | | Center for Mariner Advocacy Welcomes Summer 2026 Intern | |
We are pleased to share that Noah Falk of Tulane Law School has been selected as the Center for Mariner Advocacy’s (CMA) summer intern for 2026. Noah will be the thirty-first intern to serve in this capacity, continuing a longstanding partnership between the Seamen’s Church Institute and Tulane Law School that began in 1993. This summer, he will work closely with Phil Schifflin, Esq., Director of SCI’s Center for Mariner Advocacy, supporting CMA’s legal services for mariners and advocacy work.
Originally from Lake Charles, Louisiana, Noah brings with him a deep personal connection to the maritime world, shaped by a childhood spent in port cities and his father’s service in the U.S. Coast Guard. Now a first-year law student with a strong interest in admiralty law, he has already immersed himself in the field through his involvement with Tulane’s Maritime Law Society and other industry organizations. Noah’s background in advocacy and his commitment to service, rooted in both his academic pursuits and his work as a youth leader in his church community, align closely with CMA’s mariner-first mission.
When asked what drew him to the internship, Noah pointed to the opportunity to combine his legal interests with meaningful service:
“This internship lets me apply my passion for maritime law through meaningful service to seafarers. This summer, I have the privilege of serving hardworking mariners who keep our country operating through challenging conditions and long periods away from home.”
Drawn to this mission, Noah looks forward to contributing to CMA’s work on behalf of the men and women who keep global commerce moving, often under demanding conditions. The Seamen’s Church Institute is pleased to welcome Noah to the Center for Mariner Advocacy this summer and looks forward to the contributions he will make during his time with the organization.
| | Simulating Safety: The Future of the I-49 Arkansas River Bridge | | |
In Barling, Arkansas, construction is officially underway on the new I-49 bridge—a critical four-span steel plate girder crossing that will serve as a vital artery for the region’s growing corridor. While the bridge’s 440-foot maximum span is a feat of engineering, its placement was refined long before the first pillar was set, thanks to a unique partnership focused on maritime safety.
In 2021, the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) joined forces with HNTB and the Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) to conduct advanced feasibility simulations. Utilizing the specialized technology at SCI’s Center for Maritime Education in Paducah, KY, the team gathered essential data to determine optimal pier placement.
This wasn’t a solo effort; industry leaders, including Kirby Inland Marine LP, ACBL, Canal Barge Company, ADM ARTco, and Southern Devall, provided the real-world mariner insights necessary to ensure the bridge would not impede safe navigation on the Arkansas River.
Reflecting on the collaboration, Stephen Polk, Director of the Center for Maritime Education, emphasized the importance of bringing mariners to the table during the design phase:
"By integrating professional mariner feedback into the simulation process, we bridge the gap between shoreside engineering and river reality. Our goal was to ensure that as this infrastructure rises, the safety of those navigating beneath it remains uncompromised."
As HNTB’s design comes to life, SCI remains proud of the role its simulation technology played in securing a safer future for both highway travelers and the inland towing industry.
| | SCI Chaplain Featured in The Galveston County Daily News | | |
SCI Chaplain, the Rev. Nancy Simpson, was recently featured in The Galveston County Daily News for her work bringing prayers, presence, and care to those who live and work on our waterways.
From dockside conversations to vessel visits, her ministry reflects SCI’s mission to support mariners in every moment—on and off the water.
Read the story here.
| | Partnering in Care: Building Mariner-Friendly Congregations | | |
by the Rev. Grace Pardun
SCI Supervisory Chaplain, Ministry on the River
Early one Sunday morning, I arrived at an Episcopal church in a river town. I had been invited to provide pulpit supply while their pastor was out of the country. As I stepped out of the SCI vehicle, a couple of women approached me with excitement. “We used to pack Christmas at Sea boxes for mariners with your organization! How can we get involved again?” they asked.
From the early days of Ministry on the River, we have invited congregations along the waterways to partner with SCI in supporting the well-being of mariners. Because of their demanding schedules, mariners often cannot attend church regularly. Many spend up to 28 days at a time on the river, making it difficult to stay connected with their home faith communities. At the same time, many churches are not fully equipped to understand or accommodate the realities of mariners’ lives.
That’s where Mariner-Friendly Congregations make a difference. These churches are trained and equipped to provide meaningful spiritual and emotional support tailored to the unique needs of mariners and their families.
Many of these congregations also participate in hands-on programs that encourage mariners while they are at work. Knitting and crochet groups contribute to Christmas at Sea by creating hats and scarves for those working through the holidays. Sunday School classes and children’s groups add a personal touch by making handmade Christmas cards to accompany the gifts.
During my sermon that morning, I shared stories from my experiences as a chaplain on the river, offering a glimpse into the daily lives of mariners. Hearing these stories deepened the congregation’s understanding and strengthened their commitment to support mariners in tangible ways.
By the end of the visit, their knitting group had already received Christmas at Sea patterns and was preparing to begin work on scarves and hats. Sunday School teachers were planning projects for the children. Most importantly, the congregation stood ready—not only to serve—but to welcome mariners and their families into their community with open hearts.
| | Connecting Students to the Maritime World at SCI’s ISC | | |
At the end of March, SCI’s International Seafarers’ Center (ISC) welcomed a group of high school students from Indian Hills High School in Bergen County, NJ. Accompanied by their economics teacher, Liz Johnson, the students visited to gain a deeper understanding of the logistics behind global shipping and to learn more about the mission and work of SCI.
ISC Director Matt Morse led the group on a tour of the facilities, providing an inside look at how SCI supports seafarers and the maritime community. Throughout the visit, students had the opportunity to ask thoughtful questions and engage directly with the real-world operations of the port.
The group also spent time with Chaplain Associate and John Jay College economics professor Matt Rosales, who offered valuable insights into the economic forces shaping the maritime industry and global trade. It was a meaningful and engaging experience for all involved, and SCI was pleased to host such a curious and enthusiastic group of students.
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Mariner Wellness Session at IMX 2026 | |
The Seamen’s Church Institute will convene a critical conversation on mariner health and well-being during the third day of the Inland Marine Expo in Nashville.
Titled “U.S. Inland Mariner Wellness Assessment – From Recommendations to Results: Examining What Has and Has Not Worked with Mariner Wellness,” this session builds on SCI’s recently launched 2026 U.S. Inland Mariner Wellness Assessment, conducted in partnership with the Yale School of Occupational Medicine.
The discussion will be moderated by the Rev. Mark Nestlehutt, SCI’s President & Executive Director, and will feature:
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Kelly Clapp, Assistant Vice President of Human Resources, Ingram Barge Company
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The Rev. Grace Pardun, Supervisory Chaplain, SCI
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Troy Remy, Vice President of Human Resources, Canal Barge Company
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Dr. Martin Slade, Lecturer, Yale School of Medicine
By bringing together leaders from across the industry, SCI aims to move from insight to action—strengthening support for the mariners who are the backbone of inland waterways commerce.
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From Washington’s Oath to Operation Sail: A Waterfront Legacy
On April 30, 1789, George Washington took the oath of office as the first President of the United States on the balcony of Federal Hall.
The current structure on that site—seen here from the New York Stock Exchange during the 1976 Fourth of July festivities—was built as a Customs House in 1842. The Bicentennial celebration sparked renewed interest in America’s waterfronts, including Operation Sail 1976’s gathering of tall ships and the revival of lifeboat races—events SCI once helped sponsor alongside other seafarer athletics.
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