Finding Creative Ways to Connect

Thomas Morrow, Port Chaplain in Houston, explains some of the more creative ways he’s found to connect with seafarers, breaking down barriers and building trust.

The reality for seafarers today is that time ashore is scarce. The Port of Houston is huge – one of the largest in the US by tonnage, with around 200 terminals stretching along the ship channel.

The Houston International Seafarers’ Centre was established back in 1963, with basketball courts, a small store, and Wi-Fi. But every moment in port costs money, and ships either want to leave quickly or wait at anchor, so fewer get to visit.

And when they’re in port or out at anchorage, in those one or two days, everyone comes knocking – the Coast Guard, Border Patrol, inspectors, agents, provision suppliers. By the time I arrive, the crew is often tired, but unlike everyone else, I come on board with no agenda.

Breaking through isolation

One of the biggest challenges I see now is de-socialisation. In their downtime, many seafarers no longer gather in the rec room or mess hall. Instead, they stay in their cabins – where loneliness and anxiety can creep in.

That’s where music has been a breakthrough for me. Filipino crews in particular love it. Pretty much every Filipino seafarer I’ve met can play guitar, so I began buying old guitars, getting them fixed up, and taking them on board. I try to give away a guitar or two each month.

It’s incredible to watch the transformation. You start playing music and the effect is magical – everyone comes out and suddenly there’s laughter, conversation, and community again.

Finding cultural connections

With other crews, connection takes a different form. For Chinese seafarers, for instance, I like to bring Chūn Lián (the red paper blessings that are part of Chinese New Year), because they can’t get them on ships. For Russian, Latvian, or Ukrainian crews, I’ve learned about Paska, the traditional Easter bread. My wife bakes it, I take it on board, and it means the world to them.

And, as a guy who has a slight resemblance to Santa Claus, Christmas is also a great time to connect. Every year we give out around 10,000 Christmas boxes with gifts donated by local organisations. I go on board dressed up and sing Jingle Bells – it brings such joy.

Being there when it matters

Small gestures like these show seafarers that they are valued, but they also open the door for heavier conversations. I’ll never forget the day a Ukrainian captain broke down in tears. His mother had just been killed, and he had no one on board to turn to.

That moment reminded me why I do this. I don’t come on board with a remit; I come simply to listen, to care, and to adapt in whatever way I can. That, for me, is what it means to be a port chaplain.