Ship Visitation - Seven full-time Port Chaplains visit the ships in port each day. The Chaplains are supported by their denominations. The Chaplains make sure the approximately 50 miles of dock areas (25 miles on each side of the Ship Channel) are visited regularly. This includes approximately 110 dock areas in 40 Shipping Terminals! They offer a friendly welcome, an invitation to visit the center and spiritual or practical guidance and assistance to our visitors from around the world. Several of our chaplains speak other languages, and all chaplains are well trained in the cultural and religious diversity of our seafarers.  Religious leaders of other faiths are also welcome to serve at the Seafarers' Center, as there are many seafarers who are Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, and other faiths. Worship Services - Each night at the Seafarers’ Center a worship service is offered for those Seafarers that wish to participate. Worship services and other religious and spiritual guidance are offered to the seafarers on board their ships. Bible Program - Bibles in over 40 languages are provided to our seafarers free of charge. It is one of the largest bible programs in the world. Chaplain Training School - The experience and knowledge of the Houston Center’s Chaplains has resulted in the Houston Maritime Chaplaincy Training Program, an international annual training school for Maritime Ministry Chaplains and Managers. A link to the School web page is on the left-hand side of this web site.

Christmas Box Program - Each year approximately 11,000 Christmas boxes are provided free of charge to our visiting Seafarers. Decorated shoeboxes filled with many useful items are donated by numerous community churches, school children and individuals from Texas and through the Midwest. This original program has grown in popularity with Seafarers throughout the years. A link to the Christmas Box web page is on the left-hand side of this web site.

The top priority of most seafarers coming into port is to connect with their families and friends back in their home countries.        Phone Cards – Phone cards, as well as SIM Cards and Refill Cards, are available for purchase in the convenience store at each of the Centers, as well as available from the chaplains as they visit their ships each day.  These phone cards provide excellent calling rates for the countries of our world. Mobile Phones – Mobile phones are available to be taken onboard vessels that request them.  Our “fleet” of phones now includes 11 cell phones, and are usually taken to the seafarers on board ships that have not received permission to have shore leave.  These seafarers are the top priority in receiving the mobile phones, though other vessels may request a phone if one is available. Internet Café – High-speed internet connections are available at both of our Seafarers’ Centers.

Transportation - Each day a fleet of vans and mini-buses picks up and returns the Seafarers from the docks free of charge. The approximately 50 miles of the shipping docks (25 miles on each side of the Ship Channel) provide a challenge to our drivers as most seafarers visit the center after their work day ends. This often means a hundred or more seafarers are brought to the Houston and Barbours Cut Centers and returned to their ships each evening.   A link to the Shipping Docks web page is on the left-hand side of this web site.

Sports Programs - The Seafarers' Center provides a variety of sports facilities to our visiting seafarers. A special SPORTS WEEK competition is provided for the Seafarers twice a year. The different ship crew members really get into the spirit of friendly competition and are thrilled with the ping pong, swimming, basketball, track, and tug-of-war games each night of the SPORTS WEEK. The end of the tournament is highlighted with special trophies, plaques and ribbons awarded to ship crews and individual crew members.        Amenities available at the Tellepsen Center include: Convenience Store Restaurant Grill Phoning Home (10 lines) Special Prepaid Phone Cards with excellent minutes to the countries of the world High-Speed Internet Billiards Olympic Size Swimming Pool Basketball Pavilion Volleyball Court Soccer Field Ping Pong Tables Big-Screen TV with Satellite Reception, including special language channels in Russian, Greek, Chinese, Korean, and Spanish Big-Screen TV with DVD, Video, and Play Station 2 available Exercise Equipment Air Hockey Table Hockey Table Games Amenities available at the Lou Lawler Seafarers’ Center include: Convenience Store Phoning Home (7 lines) Special Prepaid Phone Cards with excellent minutes to the countries of the world High-Speed Internet Billiards Cable TV Table Hockey Air Hockey Additional transportation services to shopping

Special events are held frequently to help Seafarers have a fun, relaxing time while at the Center. Magazine/Book Program: Seafarers visiting the center are invited to select any magazines and books free of charge. These items are provided by community churches and individuals. These items are provided by community churches and individuals. The most popular magazines donated include: National Geographic, news, sports, entertainment, and Texas information. Paperbacks are greatly appreciated. When available, donated playing cards, jigsaw puzzles, and videos find a good home on board ship, as well as those Annual Calendars that arrive at your home uninvited become a treasure for the seafarers! Facilities Rental: Banquet and meeting room facilities are available to various civic groups, companies and individuals for special events. Currently the Merchant Marines, The Port of Houston Toastmasters Club and the Propeller Club Executive Board meet routinely at the Center. Center Tours: Tours are provided upon request. We welcome groups from around the nation, local school groups, Church Groups, Civic organizations and individuals wishing to know more about us. Volunteers: Volunteers are needed to answer phones, host special events, and provide practical assistance to seafarers during peak times.