The Origins of Seafarers’ House San Juan
The Norwegian Seafarers’ Union (NSU) is a trade organization whose goal is to make the working conditions better for seafarers in the shipping industry. To help expand their reach , they decided to create a center that was easily accessible to seafarers. A place where they can relax while they are docked in port. The purpose of the center is to provide seafarers and visiting customers with a myriad of services. This center would become what is now known as Seafarers’ House San Juan (SHSJ).
The idea to create the center came about in the late 90s. The NSU, with the support of The International Transport Workers' Federation (ITF), restored the building for its inauguration in the early 2000s. The NSU noticed that, after the city of Miami, the port in San Juan in Puerto Rico was quickly becoming one of the most important ports in the world. With the flow of cruise ships entering and leaving the city, including the many ships that were calling San Juan their homeport, they saw that it was a good idea to set up a center for seafarers to come and rest while they are docked. SHSJ is located a few minutes from the port of Old San Juan in a building that is situated in front of Plaza Colón and near Fort San Cristobal and is a good walking distance from the docks. The building’s original structure was built in the late 19th century with 2 floors and was later expanded to three plus a sun deck.
A breakfast and brunch restaurant, independent of SHSJ, was set up on the first floor of the building. The side entrance takes you to the main Seafarers’ House Center, where visiting seafarers can use the free Wi-Fi services, phone services, and we also offer package services as well. Some of these services are also offered to any tourists or customers from the community that visit the establishment. SHSJ also does special events and activities during holidays and other important occasions that are relevant to seafarers. As the slogan of the center states, SHSJ was made to be a “home away from home”, where seafarers can feel at ease while their ship is docked in port. The second floor of the building houses the reception area and library. The library has a seating area for seafarers to use the internet, as well as a mini market to buy items such as drinks, snacks, electronic accessories, and hygiene products, among other things. The third floor contains the conference area and a large balcony, for the convenience of visiting seafarers, a smaller balcony can be found on the second floor as well.
Since its inception, SHSJ has strived to be a place where seafarers can relax during their time off away from their work environment. As well as a facility that gives them services, they need that are otherwise more difficult to obtain elsewhere. Whether it be communicating with loved ones or picking up their packages, our role is to accommodate their needs and make these types of services readily available for them. SHSJ works hard every day to do this and to maintain the NSUs goal of helping seafarers in the shipping industry. To that end, SHSJ will keep being a beacon that seafarers can go to for their comfort and needs .
