Behind the Scenes at the Port: A Busy Day of Ship Visits in Kobe

Hey everyone! Today, I’m sharing a recap of our latest port outreach on June 17. It was a fast-paced, deeply rewarding day filled with massive ships, quick but meaningful chats, and a reminder of just how hard international seafarers work.

Here is what went down during our visits today.

Starting the Day with Community and Customs

Our morning kicked off at 9:00 AM at the Mission to Seafarers Center in Motomachi. Before heading out, Fr. Paul and Adam invited me to join their morning prayers. It is always so grounding and comforting to start a busy day by taking a moment to give thanks.

From there, we headed straight to the Customs office to pick up my port pass. The officer on duty had a few questions for us, curious about why we do these visits and whether we accept any goods or money from the crews. It was a great opportunity to re-explain the heart of our mission—showing that the Mission to Seafarers and Stella Maris are strictly there to offer free, unconditional support and hospitality.

1. Boarding a Floating Warehouse: The Crystal Ace

Our first stop was the Crystal Ace, an absolute giant of a cargo ship designed for transporting cars and heavy machinery. Two friendly Filipino crew members welcomed us at the gangway and guided us inside.

To be honest, it was my very first time entering a vessel of this scale! Looking around the interior felt exactly like standing inside a massive, multi-story warehouse or office building, except it floats.

The ship had arrived early in the morning and was already rushing to prepare for a 3:00 PM departure. One of the crew members told me he had just started a two-month contract. He looked out toward the city and mentioned how much he would have loved to step off the ship and explore Kobe, but their tight schedule just wouldn't allow it. Not wanting to get in the way of their crucial pre-departure work, we kept our chat brief, handed over some fresh newspapers, stickers, information flyers, and snacks, and wished them a safe voyage.

2. A Welcoming Respite for the Crew of Shin Line 10

Next, we headed over to a smaller cargo ship called the Shin Line 10. Like the first crew, these sailors had arrived early in the morning and were right in the middle of unloading heavy cargo.

When we dropped by and let them know that our center provides a free shuttle service, their faces completely lit up! They were incredibly happy to hear about it. Right then and there, they planned to call Adam later in the afternoon so they could catch a ride into town, catch their breath, and get a quick walk around Kobe before heading back to sea.

3. A Quick Goodbye at the Gangway

Our final ship visit was another massive heavy-equipment carrier. The Chief Mate warmly welcomed us at the gate. With a strict 3:00 PM departure looming, the entire crew was in high gear getting the ship ready for sea. We stayed right by the gangway to ensure we didn't disrupt operations, passing along newspapers, reading materials, Kobe city guides, MtS stickers, and a few treats to brighten their afternoon.

Racing the Clock: Shuttle Support

While we were making our rounds, we got a call from a group of seafarers resting at the center. They were in a bit of a rush—their ship was also leaving at 3:00 PM, and they needed a lift back to the port.

Adam had picked them up at the harbor gate early that morning, guided them to the center, and helped them exchange their money. We jumped back into the van, picked them up, and got them back to their ship safely and right on time.

Final Thoughts: Why We Visit

Most of our interactions today lasted only a few minutes. When port turnarounds are this fast, crews are under immense pressure. But that is exactly why these visits matter.

Even a five-minute chat on a windy gangway acts as a vital "respite"—a momentary breathing room for these isolated workers to connect with friendly local faces, share a quick story, and feel seen.

And on a lighter note, spending the transit time between ships with Adam was an absolute blast. He is from England, so naturally, we had a fantastic, highly enthusiastic debate about the World Cup to wrap up a great day of service!