In the darkness of the early morning hours of September 8, 2019, the car carrier Golden Ray, overturned in the St. Simons Sound while departing from the Port of Brunswick. All but four for of the 24 crew members escaped, leaving behind all their possessions and identification. Miraculously, the remaining crew members were rescued 36 hours later without any major injuries. The International Seafarers’ Center (ISC) was the first to be called to organize the community’s response to this tragedy.
Gratefully, we were here and able to provide assistance to the local medical facilities in support of the stranded crew members. All the seafarers’ medical needs were identified and families were then notified of their loved one’s status and personal welfare, much to the relief of all concerned.
After their physical examinations were completed, 20 crew members came to the ISC for a meal provided a local restaurant. This was the first of many donations of hospitality by the community of Brunswick. The ISC coordinated meals with local restaurants, shipping agents, and governmental agencies in order to provide food for the crew members for over a week while they were housed at the local Marriott awaiting clearance to return home.
Leaving all their personal belongings behind, the seafarers had nothing but the clothes on their backs, so the ISC put out a call to the community for clothing, toiletries, games, snacks and suitcases for the stranded seafarers. The response from the community was overwhelmingly generous. ISC staff worked tirelessly until all the seafarers’ needs were more than met - leaving us happily exhausted!
The spiritual needs of the crew were paramount after such a traumatic experience. Local churches and their ministerial staffs, in partnership with the ISC staff and volunteers, provided counsel and compassionate care. We offered the seafarers Bibles and Bible Promise books and the entire crew graciously accepted them. These acts of kindness and care on the part of the local clergy and the ISC staff were literally a “God send” and provided comfort to those who were distressed by the ordeal.
The mission of the International Seafarers’ Center is, and always has been, to provide for the physical, emotional, material and spiritual needs of the seafarers visiting our community. This opportunity to serve the officers and crew of the Golden Ray during this crisis was clearly in keeping with our mission and was never more needed than in this instance. We are pleased to say that our community and the International Seafarers’ Center passed the Golden Ray test with flying colors!
Gratefully, we were here and able to provide assistance to the local medical facilities in support of the stranded crew members. All the seafarers’ medical needs were identified and families were then notified of their loved one’s status and personal welfare, much to the relief of all concerned.
After their physical examinations were completed, 20 crew members came to the ISC for a meal provided a local restaurant. This was the first of many donations of hospitality by the community of Brunswick. The ISC coordinated meals with local restaurants, shipping agents, and governmental agencies in order to provide food for the crew members for over a week while they were housed at the local Marriott awaiting clearance to return home.
Leaving all their personal belongings behind, the seafarers had nothing but the clothes on their backs, so the ISC put out a call to the community for clothing, toiletries, games, snacks and suitcases for the stranded seafarers. The response from the community was overwhelmingly generous. ISC staff worked tirelessly until all the seafarers’ needs were more than met - leaving us happily exhausted!
The spiritual needs of the crew were paramount after such a traumatic experience. Local churches and their ministerial staffs, in partnership with the ISC staff and volunteers, provided counsel and compassionate care. We offered the seafarers Bibles and Bible Promise books and the entire crew graciously accepted them. These acts of kindness and care on the part of the local clergy and the ISC staff were literally a “God send” and provided comfort to those who were distressed by the ordeal.
The mission of the International Seafarers’ Center is, and always has been, to provide for the physical, emotional, material and spiritual needs of the seafarers visiting our community. This opportunity to serve the officers and crew of the Golden Ray during this crisis was clearly in keeping with our mission and was never more needed than in this instance. We are pleased to say that our community and the International Seafarers’ Center passed the Golden Ray test with flying colors!
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