
Apostleship of the Sea
Serving seafarers and foreigner people i n the Mission at the Port.
The Apostleship of the Sea is a Catholic charity supporting seafarers worldwide.
We provide practical and pastoral care to all seafarers, regardless of nationality, belief or race. Our port chaplains and volunteer ship visitors welcome seafarers, offer welfare services and advice, practical help, care and friendship. The Apostleship of the Sea in South Africa is part of an international network known to the maritime world as Stella Maris, with 216 port chaplains working in 311 ports around the world. You can see the ports where we work and contact our port chaplains by going here.
90% of world trade is transported by ship. However the life of a modern seafarer can be dangerous and lonely. They may spend up to a year at a time away from home, separated from their family and loved ones and often working in harsh conditions.
What We Do
The Apostleship of the Sea serves seafarers from across the world, regardless of belief, nationality or race. In the ports of Durban, Cape Town and Port Elizabeth our team of chaplains and volunteer ship visitors visit hundreds of seafarers each year, meeting their needs through the provision of help, support and advice. To find out where our port chaplains work, click here.
“I call on the chaplains and volunteers of the Apostleship of the Sea to continue with their commitment to the pastoral care of these brothers and sisters. I entrust all, especially those who are in trouble and away from home, to the maternal protection of Mary, Star of the Sea.”
Pope Francis in his Angelus address on July 13 2014 in St Peter’s Square.
How we serve Seafarers
pastoral and social services for people working on ships far from their country and their family

Contact Information
Mission of the Port
Saturday Catholic Mass at 7:00pm