Port Arthur International Seafarers Center was nominated for Seafarers Center of the Year and is now on the short list of six seafarers’ centers in the world contending for the award.

PAISC is the only U.S. center nominated. Other centers nominated include Stella Maris, Barcelona, Spain; Mission to Seafarers Busan, South Korea; Stella Maris, Mackay-Hay Point, Australia; Mission to Seafarers Townsville, Australia; and Mission to Seafarers, Victoria-Australia.

“We are shocked and honored to be the only one from the U.S on the list and to be among the six finalists,” Doreen Badeaux, secretary general, Apostleship of the Sea of the United States of America, said.

Centers are nominated by the seafarers themselves.

“I’m pleased out little center here in Port Arthur is placed on he map by seafarers because of the work we do for them,” she said. “And I’m happy that our volunteers, board of directors and the people who support us have been acknowledged for what they are doing for seafarers.”

The PAISC carries on an 80-year tradition of seafarer hospitality and today the center offers U.S. and foreign seafarers a number of services including Transportation Worker Identification Credential, or TWIC, escort though

Maritime Transportation Security Act-Regulated Facilities

in the southern reaches of the Sabine-Neches Waterway.

The center features telephone service, free WiFI service, and activities such as pool, TV, Ping-Pong and darts. There are also American Merchant Marine Library Services and religious service and ministry available. The center also provides transportation to all Port Arthur shopping locations.

The awards reward the companies and organizations that have offered seafarers the highest standard in services and facilities, according to information from the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network. With each candidate nominated by seafarers, the awards are an opportunity for seafarers to say thank you to those who have made a difference to their lives and to raise awareness of their needs.

The awards take place on June 24 at The Manila Hotel in the Phillipines. It is funded by the International Transport Workers’ Federation Seafarers Trust and sponsored by Inmarsat and Crewtoo.

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