Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center (BISC)

By Zander Wiley

December 3, 2025

The Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center (BISC) is a small but essential nonprofit organization serving the Port of Baltimore. Located at 1430 Wallace Street in the Locust Point area, the center sits across from the Fort McHenry National Monument and is surrounded by the Locust Point Industrial Area and the Locust Point Marine Terminal. The Maryland Port Administration provides BISC the space it needs for its headquarters under attractive terms in a gesture that reflects the port community’s recognition of the center’s humanitarian role.

The exterior of BISC's headquarters building located near Fort McHenry within the Port of Baltimore. In front of the building, Reverend Josh grows herbs that can be dried and provided to crews. (Photo by Zander Wiley)

The single-story cement building includes a modest recreation area with couches and a shuffleboard table, a kitchenette, a conference room, and two small offices. A few parking spaces are available in front, with BISC’s fleet of vans located behind the building. Inside, the atmosphere is informal and welcoming—a home away from home for seafarers who have been at sea for weeks or months at a time.

The seafarers' lounge area within BISC headquarters. (Photo by Zander Wiley)

BISC’s mission is “to facilitate the well-being of crew members by offering transportation ashore, advocacy for their rights as seafarers and human beings, and hospitality while here in Baltimore.” The organization operates under the umbrella of the International Mission to Seafarers, a London-based charity with branches in more than 200 ports across 50 countries. This affiliation allows BISC to use the Mission to Seafarers’ globally recognized name and logo and to receive occasional grant funding.

A new EV van provided by the Seafarers International House for use by the Baltimore International Seafarers Center (BISC) (Photo by: Glenn T. Johnston)

In addition to its affiliation with the Mission to Seafarers, BISC partners with the Seafarers International House in New York, the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA), the International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF), and a range of local shipping agents, pilot associations, and tugboat companies. These relationships strengthen its ability to provide coordinated care and advocacy for maritime workers across the Port of Baltimore.

BISC volunteer Ship Visitor Glenn T Johnston delivering Christmas gift bags to crew members of the GRAND ORION Roll On-Roll Off (RO-RO) ship. (Photo: Mary Jane Johnston)

BISC operates with a small but committed staff: one full-time director, three hourly employees, and about ten volunteers. The center owns four transit vans and has access to one additional vehicle from the Seafarers International House in New York. Volunteers form the heart of daily operations. A typical day begins around 9 a.m. when staff compile a list of ships docked in the port. Volunteers are assigned specific vessels to visit and typically board their first ships by 10 a.m. They deliver supplies, provide transportation to local stores or landmarks, and listen to crew members’ concerns. Most visits conclude by 5 p.m., though some drivers remain available into the evening.

Delivering provisions to the coal ship WADI SAFAGA at Consol Terminal in the port. The crew was unable to go ashore, so Chaplain Josh made seven trips up and down the gangway with their order. (Photo by: Rev. Josh Messick)

The current director, Reverend Joshua Messick, manages daily logistics and serves as the organization’s primary pastoral counselor and port chaplain. He compiles daily ship lists, communicates with crew members to identify needs, and assigns volunteers. In addition to administrative duties, he provides spiritual and emotional support to seafarers and offers training on mental health awareness, including suicide-prevention education for crews at sea.

Founded in 1993 by Deacon Ed Munro of the Episcopal Diocese of Maryland, BISC initially focused on helping seafarers make telephone calls to their families. Over time, the center’s mission expanded to include transportation, communication assistance, and personal advocacy. Reverend Mary Davisson directed the center for 18 years before her retirement in 2022, when Reverend Messick assumed leadership. Under his guidance, BISC has broadened its partnerships and visibility within the maritime community.

Crew members of the GRANDE COTONOU—a RO-RO/Container, sometimes known as a CONRO ship-- returning from a shore pass enabled by BISC volunteers. (Photo courtesy of BISC)

In 2024, BISC played a vital role in supporting seafarers affected by the collapse of the Francis Scott Key Bridge. Reverend Messick and his team assisted crews stranded aboard eight vessels in the harbor, including the cargo ship DALI, which struck the bridge. BISC coordinated with partner organizations nationwide to provide Wi-Fi access, personal supplies, and emotional support for affected crewmembers, while also advocating for their welfare and legal rights during the extended port shutdown.

Today, BISC remains an indispensable part of the Greater Baltimore intermodal ecosystem. Its work reflects the human side of port operations—bridging the gap between global commerce and individual well-being. By ensuring that seafarers have access to transportation, communication, and compassionate care, the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center continues to embody the port’s enduring spirit of hospitality and service.