Albany Maritime Ministry-Mobile

About

Albany Maritime Ministry (AMM) welcomes merchant marines, fishermen, tug and barge crews and crews on non-commercial vessels who dock along the Hudson River in the Capital District of upstate New York. AMM is a ministry of the Capital Area Council of Churches. We work closely with regional churches, businesses, and city, state and federal agencies.

Our services are typically provided aboard ship, but we also offer transportation on our van and hospitality at our seafarer center, which is located at the Port of Albany, and other help as needed.

AMM was incorporated in 1996 as a non-profit Federal 501(C)(3) organization under the laws of New York State.

From 1995 until his death in 2018, Rev. William G. Hempel served as our beloved chaplain and director. Our center bears his name.

Directions

The center is located inside a secure perimeter at the Port of Albany and is primarily open for seafarers who visit the port aboard their ships. Directions are provided only for pre-authorized individuals and others who are attending special events.

William G. Hempel Seafarer Center
of the Albany Maritime Ministry
109 Smith Blvd. Albany NY 12202

GPS Coordinates
Minutes and seconds:
Latitude: 42-37'37'' N
Longitude: 073-45'37'' W

Decimals:
Latitude: 42.627024
Longitude: -73.7603986

Driving Directions

From I-90
From I-87

From I-90

Driving east or west:

Take Exit 6A
Merge onto I-787 South toward Albany/Rensselaer.
Exit 3B Madison Avenue US-20W/Port of Albany. Go 0.2 miles (mi).
Turn left onto Broadway. Go 0.2 mi.
Turn right, staying on Broadway. Go 0.5 mi.
Keep left to stay on Broadway another 187 feet (ft).
Turn left onto Church Street, which becomes Boat Street in 0.6 mi.
Turn right onto Smith Blvd. Go 492 ft.

The Seafarer Center is on your right.

How to Help

Contact our chaplain to:

heart Ask for an event speaker
heart Donate
heart Drive our van
heart Give Christmas gifts
heart Meet incoming vessels
heart Provide hospitality

Those who wish to volunteer at port can download a PDF application or request one by phone or email.

PDF Application

Services

Our services are flexible to meet individual needs.

Advocacy & promotion

We work with marine, religious, service, and governmental agencies to improve the working conditions of seafarers. Our advocacy encompasses human rights, wages and immigration issues. We collaborate with international port chaplains, United States enforcement, and embassy personnel, and promote public awareness and participation.

Bible study outreach

Bibles and devotional materials are available in various languages.

Christmas at sea

We collect showbox gifts for seafarers who dock at our ports during Christmastide.

Clothing bank

We provide donated clothing to those in need.

Communication

We provide phones, SIM cards, Internet and United States postal services, Wi-Fi, and wireless laptop computers.

Pastoral care & crisis intervention

We have professionally-trained counselors available and participate in worldwide assistance and the Capital District crisis respond team. We also confidentially respond to the personal concerns of seafarers and their families.

Religious services

We offer religious services and Sacraments on ships or at local sites, and have non-Christian spiritual leaders available upon request.

Transportation

Our 15-passenger van provides transportation to the Seafarer Center, shopping centers, worship sites, and visitor attractions.

William G. Hempel Seafarer Center

We operate a center at the Port of Albany, where seafarers can rest, recreate and use desktop computers.

Ship visits

We go aboard over 90% of the vessels that dock between Catskill and the Port of Albany.

Donations

We welcome donations of clothing, funds, and goods.

Albany Maritime Ministry is a non-profit organization under Section 501 (c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Donations are tax deductible to the extent allowed by law.

Please make your check payable to us. Send it to:

109 Smith Boulevard
Albany, NY 12202 USA

Receipts are issued upon request.