Stories
At the Mission to Seafarers Southern Ontario, every connection tells a story—whether it’s a volunteer offering a warm welcome, or a seafarer sharing experiences from life at sea. These stories shine a light on the compassion, resilience, and community that make our mission possible. Here, you’ll meet the people behind the work: volunteers who give their time and heart, and seafarers whose journeys bring them to our ports.
​
Together, their voices reflect the impact of hospitality, care, and human connection across the waves.
​
Stories written by Sydney Goodreau
​
Photography by Kelly Noseworthy
The Federal Minnesota
At the end of June, a scarlet-red bulk carrier named The Federal Minnesota arrived at the harbour in Oshawa, Ontario, with 22 crew members from India. Volunteer Jill Wyllie climbed aboard to welcome the crew to Canada and, in MTSSO fashion, she offered to bring the crew to land to restock on necessities and enjoy some of the local sights.
​
“They were delighted with Lakeview Park and its beach,” said Wyllie. The beach is a favourite destination for seafarers in Oshawa during the warm, summer months. And since the ship remained in Oshawa during Canada Day, the crew got to experience true Canadian culture with a grandstand view of Oshawa’s fireworks display from the deck of their ship.
​
While in Oshawa, Wyllie arranged for volunteers to shuttle the crew to and from the Oshawa Centre. Those docked for days at a time often want to change money and visit various shops before their journey resumes. “They were very appreciative and a pleasure to deal with,” Wyllie said.
​
After one particularly extensive shopping trip, Wyllie was invited to join the ship captain for dinner, something not entirely common during visits. Wyllie reflected, “I was very impressed with the interior of the ship… It's in beautiful shape.”
Though brief, Wyllie’s visit with The Federal Minnesota crew highlights what is at the heart of Mission to Seafarers: human connection. Volunteers at MTSSO offer practical support to ship crews, from shuttling people to shopping centres to providing gift baskets. But sometimes a genuine connection can be found through striking up a conversation and offering a listening ear to those eager to share their experiences. Other times, connection can be found through fellowship over a meal.
​
It all starts with a visit to the ship harbour.
Little Things
One of the first things volunteers at the Mission to Seafarers do when they greet seafarers is offer them gift bags. A common thing to bring as a welcome gift is chocolate. Judging by the joyful smiles, it seems that love for chocolate is universal! On one special occasion, volunteer Jill Wyllie recalls, “Our welcome visit was augmented by a donation of baked goods from a local bakery…and we received a warm thank you from the crew.” Receiving something as simple as fresh-baked goods can make someone feel welcomed and seen when everything else appears foreign and new.
​
In Hamilton, Chaplain Dan Phannenhour remembers conversing with crewmembers in early spring. He noticed that one cadet was admiring all of the stickers he had collected on his helmet. He made a mental note of her interest, and before her ship departed, Phannenhour gave the cadet some stickers from Hamilton and Canada to wear on her own helmet.
The seafarers who visit Canadian ports often sail for months at a time without visiting home, and little acts of kindness go a long way towards helping seafarers feel welcome. The simplest things, like purchasing stickers, handing out chocolate treats, or even remembering someone’s name, can make someone feel seen. Things we often take for granted, like wifi, can make a huge difference for seafarers. Having internet access can allow a seafarer to contact loved ones and gain the confidence and peace of mind to continue on their journey.
​
It doesn’t take much to be a good host, someone who welcomes the foreigner and blesses the lonely. Sometimes, it's the little things that have the biggest impact.
Sticky Situations at Sea
Unfortunately, not every situation that the Mission to Seafarers face is pleasant. Sometimes problems arise that even gifts of chocolate and SIM cards can’t fix. Such was the case in the Spring of 2025 when a ship anchored in Hamilton Harbour.
​
Chaplain Dan Phannenhour soon realized that nearly half the crewmembers on the ship were working over their contract. Many seafarers had been working on the ship for close to a year, much longer than should have been allowed. One crew member in particular was a father of an 18-month-old daughter, whom he hadn’t seen in 11 months.
​
Those working on the ship were supposed to change crews in the United States before sailing to Hamilton, but that had gotten cancelled. By the time Phannenhour had heard of the situation, the ship had been docked in Hamilton for over a month. “Nothing was arranged during that time,” said Phannenhour.
​
The case was so egregious that Phannenhour contacted the International Transport Workers’ Federation to find relief for the crew.
​
In addition to the long months at sea, Phannenhour says that “it is becoming more difficult for seafarers to bring their families along with them on their voyages because the capacity of the lifeboats has been reduced on many ships.” More and more seafarers are being separated from their loved ones, something that only compounds already bad situations involving contract breaches.
​
As a result of Phannenhour’s efforts, the ITF inspected the ship and warned that any further delay would violate the 11-month contract limit as stipulated in the Maritime Labour Convention. Soon after, the company in charge of the ship was able to find five replacements, thus allowing five crew members to go home.
​
Stories like this show how important it is to ask questions and maintain integrity. It also shows the significant impact that Missions to Seafarers Southern Ontario can have on the lives of visiting crews.
Our volunteers work hard to ensure that no seafarer is overlooked or forgotten.
The Culture Exchange
Imagine sitting on the riverbed leading to Guangzhou, China, two thousand years ago. Before you is the Port of Guangzhou, also known as “the Silk Road of the Sea.” Ships crest through the water, arriving from India, Africa, Europe, and anywhere within the known world.
​
A ship departs from Guangzhou and arrives in Alexandria, Egypt, carrying within its hull raw materials sold for profit. At the same time, a ship from Istanbul enters the harbour. Fast forward a thousand years, and ships will leave Alexandria and arrive in European ports. A few hundred years after that, ships will leave Europe and make their way to Canada and other parts of North and South America.
​
Ship harbours are important places where people from every corner of the world meet, where their lives intersect, even for a brief moment. And yet, how often are ship harbours and the sailors who depart from them overlooked?
​
The Port of Hamilton sees hundreds of ships arrive each year, and thousands of sailors who come from the Philippines, Ukraine, England, Nigeria, India, the Netherlands, Russia, and beyond.
​
Chaplain Dan Phannenhour from the Mission to Seafarers Southern Ontario recalls meeting a Polish seafarer during Christmas 2024, and then meeting the same fellow the following spring. “He was amazed that I would visit him again, and that I could remember so much about him from a previous visit,” said Phannenhour. In March and April alone, there were 169 seafarers across 11 nationalities visited by volunteers in Hamilton.
​
More than a place where cultures intersect, harbours are places where people from a range of life experiences meet.
​
“One cadet told me that he is working mostly to pay for his mother’s medicine,” recalls Phannenhour. “Another crew member on the same ship told me that he likes to be at sea for Christmas…He does this to avoid his extended family, who all arrive at his house expecting large gifts now that he is a seafarer and making big money, at least in their eyes.”
​
Stories from around the world flow between seafarers and the Canadian volunteers who greet them, and Phannenhour is more than happy to provide a listening ear. He said that “the war continues to weigh on the minds and spirits of the Ukrainian seafarers. Some are reluctant to talk about their personal situation. Others tell separation from their families for even longer periods of time than usual…Some families remain in Ukraine, primarily Odessa, and then travel to another country to be with the seafarer when his contract is finished. All are hoping for an end to the war.”
​
One of the best ways volunteers care for visitors is by showing interest in the stories and grievances they share. Sailing across oceans and even the Great Lakes can be isolating. Our volunteers provide an outlet for seafarers to express and process their thoughts and needs. A chat can make all the difference.
