Volunteer Positions
Ship Visitors
Ship Visitors represent Maritime Bethel Savannah to the men and women on board. They check in to see if there are needs we can help with, deliver requested supplies, sell SIM cards, and most importantly, offer a caring and friendly presence. To serve in this role, you’ll complete a five-hour online course and receive hands-on training from experienced Ship Visitors.
Chaplain
This is the heart of our ministry. Seafarers spend six to nine months away from home and family, and sometimes contracts extend up to a year or more. Chaplains not only fulfill the duties of Ship Visitors, but also provide spiritual care: listening with compassion, offering godly counsel, sharing scripture, and leading worship services.
Marketing & Social Media
Seafarers are often invisible to the public, even though the ships they crew carry 90% of the goods we use every day. If you have skills in marketing, social media, photography, video production, writing, or graphic design, we need your creativity to help tell their story. To connect authentically, you’ll also join occasional ship visits and meet the men and women we serve.
Transportation
Seafarers spend weeks or months on board with limited opportunities to go out. Transportation volunteers make a huge difference by driving them from the port to places like Tanger Outlets, Walmart, Downtown Savannah, Best Buy, or simply to the Seafarers Center. This role is about offering a warm welcome to Savannah.
If you would like to help us with any of these positions, let us know!
Send us an email to info@maritimebethelsavannah.org or reach out to our Executive Director John Houchens.
“For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in...”
Frequently Asked Questions
How much time is required?
• Ship Visits:
Visiting a ship typically requires a 4-hour block of time. Ideally, volunteers commit to visiting at least one ship per week on a regular schedule. However, we are flexible — this could also mean dedicating a full day every two weeks or once a month.
• Seafarer Shoppers:
Shopping and delivering items to our Seafarer Center in Garden City also requires a 4-hour block of time.
• Training:
Before volunteering, you will complete a 4-hour online course introducing you to maritime ministry. Afterwards, you will be paired with one of our experienced staff members for 12 hours of hands-on, supervised learning.
• Other Commitments:
Volunteer responsibilities vary widely, and some can be completed on your own schedule.
What kind of qualifications do I need?
• Heart for Service:
The most important qualification is a genuine love for the Lord and for people from all over the world.
• Background & Credentials:
You’ll need to pass a background check and secure a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), required by the Maritime Transportation Security Act for access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels ($135). You will also need to secure credentials from the Georgia Ports Authority (no cost).
• Training Requirements:
Complete the online course Effective Ship Visiting (1 hour long) and Introduction to Seafarers Welfare & Maritime Ministry (5 hours long).
Is there a cost involved to volunteer?
There are a few upfront costs to consider. The first is $135 to apply for your Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC), which is required for access to secure areas of maritime facilities and vessels. In addition, you will need to purchase required safety gear for $45—including a hardhat, work gloves, and a reflective vest—since you cannot enter the port without it. Finally, there is a $10 fee for the online courses that are part of the training process.