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The Apostleship of the Sea is the Catholic Church’s Missionary work to the Seafarers whether they be on merchant, passenger, war or fishing vessels. While the Church has always been interested in Seafarers since Christ first gathered his fishermen-disciples around him, the modern movement began in the 1890s with several isolated and independent beginnings.

The purpose of the Apostleship of the Sea is to care for the Spiritual, Social, and Material welfare of all Seafarers without distinction of colour, race or creed:

SPIRITUAL – Inspired by our Catholic faith and respecting the beliefs and practices of all seafarers, we nourish their spiritual lives by being Christ for them and finding Christ in them.

SOCIAL – Concerned for the social well-being of seafarers, we provide internet and telecommunications facilities, to allow them to keep in contact with their families, and recreational activities promoting their mental and physical health.

MATERIAL – Committed to social justice for all and believing in the dignity of the human person, we support seafarers in their right to fair remuneration, appropriate onboard accommodation, safe working conditions and non-discriminatory treatment by advocacy and working with other organisations.

As a missionary work, it serves ALL seafarers:

remember always to welcome a Stranger, for by doing this, some people have entertained angels without knowing it. (Hebrews 13.2)

The centrepiece of the Apostolatus Maris logo is the Sacred Heart of Jesus. Rays radiate from the heart – symbols of the apostles who take his love to seafarers.

The words Apostolatus Maris are written in the life buoy, which connotes the saving work of the Apostolate while in the background is an anchor, symbol of hope and salvation for a ship in troubled waters.