The year 2017 will be a big year for the Houston International Seafarers’ Center (HISC). As center officials prepare for their move to a new location by the port’s executive building, they have adapted to new challenges and changes to improve their operations.

Some of the milestones for the organization this decade have included a possible new Center location at Barbour’s Cut, a base for operations for Chaplains and staff and a public restaurant. The HSIC board created a new strategic plan and revisited the center’s mission and role in the port community with the focus being a “home away from home” for mariners.

Plans call for the new center building at the Port of Houston Turning Basin to be a gathering center and transportation hub, which is scheduled to open in July of this year. “Our most important service is personal face-to-face contact with the seafarers. We are their family,” said Patrick Cooney, HISC board member and Senior Counsel at Royston Rayzor.

The HSIC is a nonprofit organization that support the board and ministry. The HSIC will honor Port Houston Executive Director Roger Guenther as its Bronze Anchor Award recipient at its annual Maritime Gala event in May.