The Port Arthur International Seafarer’s Center held its annual meeting, Jan. 31, bringing together maritime professionals and community leaders to discuss the center’s mission and its ongoing efforts to support seafarers.
The center provides support for mariners who work at sea for extended periods, offering Wi-Fi, rest areas, transportation and other resources to help visiting seafarers connect with their families and access essential services while in port.
Captain Sean Marchant, senior manager of marine assurance at Valero and Lamar University port management graduate student, spoke about his experiences with Seafarer’s Centers.
“As a cadet and officer, I found that Seafarer’s Centers were a safe and nourishing place to visit while in foreign ports,” Marchant said. “One Christmas at sea, our captain brought up a Christmas gift from a Seafarers Center — someone had put it together for a stranger, and I was the benefactor of that. I’ve never forgotten that experience.”
Marchant, a board member for the center, emphasized the importance of awareness and support for seafarers.
“There is a crisis happening right now in the world’s fleets,” he said. “Issues such as suicides offshore, withheld pay, and restricted shore leave affect many mariners. People should learn more about the challenges these workers face.”
The meeting serves as both an update for supporters and a key fundraising opportunity for the Seafarer’s Center. Doreen Badeaux, immediate past board president, said funding has been a challenge in recent years due to the closure of several churches that provided financial support.
“We needed a new and creative way to secure funding,” she said. “This event allows us to inform supporters about how their donations are being used and why their contributions are so important.”
Lamar University has strong ties to the maritime sector, particularly through its Center for Advances in Port Management, which offers a graduate program designed to prepare professionals for leadership roles in port and terminal management.
All four Southeast Texas ports — Port of Port Arthur, Port of Beaumont, Port of Orange, and Port of Sabine Pass — are run by Lamar alumni.
“For a long time, our region didn’t have a strong maritime education program, but Lamar stepped up and filled that gap,” Badeaux said.
Marchant said students interested in the maritime industry should volunteer or explore career opportunities.
“We always need help at the Seafarer’s Center — whether it’s working around the facility, developing programs or even driving,” he said.
Marchant recommended reaching out to local ports or organizations for internships and learning opportunities.
“I think it’s important to mention that Lamar University has shown a real commitment to the maritime community,” he said. “They are passionate about the waterways and about preparing the next generation of port professionals. It’s crucial that we keep the pipeline full of new students. The earlier we start that process, the better.”
Programs like Camp Seaport and sailing access initiatives are examples of that.
“Everything Lamar is doing shows their commitment to the industry,” Marchant said. I’d encourage anyone in those programs to reach out to the Seafarer’s Center. We can help connect them with opportunities in the maritime world because we’re involved in so many different aspects of it.”
To learn more about the Port Arthur International Seafarer’s Center, visit paisc.org.
To learn more about the Port Management Graduate Program, visit lamar.edu.