Reverend Bill Allport - Seamen’s Church Institute Chaplain

Since 2022, Reverend Bill Allport has been the chaplain for the Seamen’s Church Institute (SCI) at the International Seafarers’ Center (ISC) in Port Newark, New Jersey. As chaplain, Reverend Bill Allport is responsible for the spiritual, mental, and emotional well-being of the seafarers who work on the largest, most comprehensive seafarer support agency in North America.

Chaplain Allport identifies new arrivals by reviewing Port of New York and New Jersey ship logs. Along with other ISC chaplains, he organizes daily or weekly visits to the ships. His role in supporting seafarer well-being is integral to the SCI because seafarers often experience poor treatment, unreasonable job conditions, harassment, and prolonged separation from family and friends. Additionally, dangerous weather, rough seas, and warzone conditions often require seafarers to receive counseling or spiritual support upon arrival at port.

In addition to being trained in crisis support, Chaplain Allport also has expertise in delivering humanitarian aid, including assistance following the collision of Dali, the container ship that struck the Francis Scott Key Bridge in March 2024. As a helicopter-trained emergency responder, he was among the first on the scene, providing support to the impacted crew. His training as a helicopter emergency responder also enables him to assist mariners during incidents on drilling platforms or wind support vessels.

Reverend Allport is a fully ordained Episcopal minister who conducts religious services on vessels and at the ISC. His other activities include collaborating with another chaplain to host lessons and carols services for the ISC port community.

Contact

Bill Allport
Newark, NJ US