Seafarers' House Wins Lloyd's List 2015 Seafarer Advocate of the Year

Hollywood, FL, February 23, 2015 (Newswire.com) - Seafarers’ House, a Fort Lauderdale-based nonprofit organization serving the international maritime community, was honored as Seafarer Advocate of the Year during Lloyd’s List North America Maritime Awards, held this week at Houston’s Houstonian Hotel, Club and Spa.

Seafarers’ House Executive Director Lesley Warrick accepted the award before a crowd of more than 300 marine professionals.

"The work of maritime missions such as ours and our sister agencies tells mariners that their lives matter."

Lesley Warrick, Executive Director, Seafarers' House

“I was proud to accept this honor from Lloyd’s List in recognition of 26 years of service to the more than 150,000 cruise and cargo ship crewmembers who depend on us each year to provide them with a home away from home,” said Warrick. “The work of maritime missions such as ours and our sister agencies tells mariners that their lives matter. Whether it’s something as simple as free Wi-Fi service, counseling or emergency assistance, Seafarers’ House is a place mariners can depend on.  And, of course, we would not be able to do it without the dedication and assistance of our staff, volunteers and supporters.”

The prestigious awards are held each year to recognize the best and brightest in North American shipping, according to Lloyd’s List Editor Richard Meade. A panel of judges that included chairmen and presidents of the maritime industry’s leading governing bodies and trade associations selected this year’s winners.

The Seafarer’s Advocate Award recognizes individuals, organizations or groups that have delivered benchmark services or had other occasions to safeguard and promote the welfare of mariners in North American waters.

“Port Everglades and the mariners who arrive here each day are fortunate to have the long-standing support and dedication provided by Seafarers’ House," said Deputy Port Director Glen Wiltshire. “We could not be more pleased to learn about the award. It is a much deserved recognition of her many years of service to the industry.”

Lloyd’s congratulated Warrick for her “exceptional advocacy” of seafarers’ welfare.

“As executive director of Seafarers' House, Ft. Lauderdale, and Vice President of the Board of the North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA), her dedication to making sure seafarers are being welcomed to our ports is clear,” Lloyd’s noted. “Under her leadership, Seafarers' House has become a model of success in providing shore-based seafarers' welfare services.”

Others on the short list were: Corpus Christi International Seaman’s Center, Seafarers’ Center of Beaumont, Seafarers International House and SIU of Canada.

ABOUT SEAFARERS’ HOUSE

Seafarers' House at Port Everglades is a non-profit organization supported by the faith-based community as well as by labor, business and civic leaders with a mission "to offer refuge, resources, renewal and respect to the maritime community through multi-faith service." Open throughout the year, Seafarers' House is a safe, friendly place where mariners can connect with their families, relax, or get emergency assistance if needed. With the help of its supporters and volunteers, Seafarers' House offers many services including low cost international phone calls, free transportation, Internet access, counseling services, liaison with authorities as well as recreational facilities. Seafarers' House was honored as the 2012 Seafarers' Center of the Year by the International Committee on Seafarers' Welfare - the first American agency to receive this international honor. Seafarers' House annually hosts more than 150,000 visits by cruise and cargo ship crewmembers. For additional information visit www.seafarershouse.org.