The Port of Baltimore is the starting point for most shipments of Lutheran World Relief Quilts & Kits. From here, seafarers from all over the world transport them across the seas to ports in Africa, Asia, Latin America and beyond.
But this spring, for the first time in LWR history, the ships themselves were the final destinations — and the seafarers were the intended recipients.
Responding to the Key Bridge disaster in Baltimore
On March 26, 2024, a cargo ship called the Dali crashed into the Francis Scott Key Bridge — located just a few miles from Lutheran World Relief’s headquarters in Baltimore, Maryland. The bridge collapsed, tragically killing six construction workers. Our prayers remain with those affected by this terrible tragedy.
The wreckage also trapped 10 other ships and their crews in the port for several weeks after the crash. Some ships were able to leave in late April as channels opened up. Others were stuck until mid-May.
Because they originally did not intend to stay in Baltimore more than a day or two, multiple crews did not have visas that would allow them to leave their ships. They had to remain on board throughout their time in the port. As a result, they relied on local organizations to deliver food, fresh drinking water and other basic supplies.
Your compassion reached trapped crews in the port
Lutheran World Relief depends on the hard work and sacrifice of seafarers like these to carry your love around the world. When dozens of them were stuck on ships in our backyard — separated from their families for weeks on end — we knew we had to offer comfort, support and practical items to make their stay more comfortable.
The Rev. Joshua Messick, an Episcopalian minister and chaplain, is the executive director of the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center. The center welcomes, supports and advocates for crews at the port every day during normal circumstances. Following the Key Bridge collapse, they became the primary point of contact for aid and support — making them an ideal partner for managing the distribution of your LWR Quilts & Kits.
And these supplies were a big hit. Rev. Messick explained, “Most seafarers are men. They tend to have [one] towel, and they tend to not be able to wash them as much as they want to, because fresh water is quite the commodity when you're surrounded by saltwater. So, their towels get really grungy. You'd think we’ve handed them a bar of gold when we give them these Personal Care Kits. Because it's got everything they don't think about needing until they don't have it. And the towels in particular have been an incredible gift.”
Comfort and support for seafarers far from home
In total, more than 150 quilts and Personal Care Kits were distributed across seven ships.
One was the JY River, a coal carrier whose crew hasn’t been home since July 2023.
“A seaman’s life is very difficult,” says Zhu Cong Xiang, 59, the ship’s crew master. “It’s a long time away from family.”
The JY River arrived in Baltimore on March 23 and was scheduled to depart for Singapore on March 26. The crew awoke that morning to chaos in the port and news that their departure was delayed indefinitely.
The 19-person crew was thrilled to receive their LWR Quilts & Kits on delivery day. On the same day, they also welcomed a fresh shipment of drinking water and a cake to celebrate the birthday of one of the crew members. In addition to the supplies, they also expressed gratitude that strangers would offer them kindness and a friendly face after so many weeks of waiting and uncertainty.
Hu Xin Peng, 37, the ship’s chief officer says he’s looking forward to returning home to China later this summer because he misses his wife and baby. His son was born last May and was only two months old when Peng embarked on this trip. The Key Bridge disaster added an extra six weeks to his journey, and he is looking forward to wrapping his son in his new quilt when he gets home.
Rev. Messick says, “On behalf of the Baltimore International Seafarers’ Center, and all of the seafarers that we have been able to serve over this last month, thank you for your generous donation. It has meant so much to the men who have been stuck here this whole time. They have been so thankful and appreciative of everything that you've done.”
