Seafarers Guide to Thunder Bay
Updated:  June 8, 2023

Seafarer's Centre:  807-344-8241         flyingangel@tbaytel.net

When the Centre is not staffed, the phone is forwarded to the Chaplain’s mobile or in his absence, a volunteer’s mobile.

The Mission may also be contacted through the Ship’s Agent.

The Centre may be staffed upon request by contacting the Mission; notice is required.

Mission to Seafarers Chaplain: Canon Ed Swayze 807-626-2571

The Centre is beside the guard hut at Keefer Terminal, 100 Main St.

The Mission to Seafarers is an Anglican mission, whose purpose is to assist seafarers and operated with ecumenical partners. The Mission is staffed with a part-time Chaplain and volunteers and funded by donations. Assistance is available to seafarers on lakers upon request.

The chaplain is on call if seafarers need assistance. Contact him if you need someone to talk to, or to help you contact family, agencies or clergy of your own faith group, or if you would like to arrange a mass or worship service aboard your ship; 1 day's notice is needed.

The Chaplain or ship visitor may visit at the gangway. They may bring SIM cards, and upon request, warm clothing.

Transportation

If crew are granted shore leave and wish to attend the Seafarers’ Centre or make use of our transportation service, contact the Centre 807-344-8241; at least 2 hours’ notice is preferred.  On Sundays, the earliest pickup is 1300, unless an appointment is made by Saturday.

Our van takes 10 seafarers

For a pick-up, seafarers should wait at the gate of the elevator; 

If a seafarer chooses to leave our care, he is then responsible for making his own way back to the ship.

If the ship makes an appointment for a pickup, and seafarers chose instead to take a taxi or decide to not come ashore, the ship is expected to cancel the appointment. Failure to cancel an appointment means the Mission is not obliged to provide transportation.

Donations towards gas are appreciated.

Children

A child under the age of 8 requires a children’s car seat. When there is a child to transport, contact the Seafarers’ Centre so that the car seat may be put in the van prior to the pick up. The driver may refuse to transport a child without the children’s car seat.

Distance to the Seafarers’ Centre

distance in kilometers (km)

Current River Terminal

10 

Richardson Main Terminal

  8 
Cruise Ship Terminal   5

Canada Malting, Viterra A & B

  1.5
Walmart - Thunder Bay Super Centre   2 

Thunder Bay Terminal

  2.5

Western By-Products

16 

Superior Elevator, G3, MobilEx

15

Seafarers' Centre

Wi-Fi

limited currency exchange 

Internet computer

warm clothing

Bibles in 28 languages

magazines

coffee, tea

Tuck shop for sale:

pop

postage stamps

souvenirs

toiletries

snacks

Chapel

satellite TV

Wi-Fi

The Wi-Fi can be accessed in the Centre or outside of it. The password is posted on the Centre’s windows. 

SIU - Seafarers' International Union & ITF - International Transport Workers Federation

www.seafarers.ca

Montreal                         514-931-7859

Thorold (Welland Canal) 905-227-5212

Shopping

Stores will accept $US, except for LCBO (liquor store).

20 minutes walk from Canada Malting, Viterra A & B, and Keefer Terminal

Intercity Shopping Mall

Monday to Wednesday    1000 to 1900

Thursday to Friday           1000 to 2000

Saturday                           1000 to 1700

Sunday                             1100 to 1700

Wal-Mart - Thunder Bay Super Centre

777 Memorial Ave.

Monday to Sunday           0700 to 2300

Best Buy                        www.bestbuy.ca

777 Memorial Ave.

Monday to Saturday        1000 to 1900

Sunday                             1100 to 1800

Money Mart                   www.moneymart.ca

679 Memorial Ave. Unit 6

Monday to Saturday        0800 to 1900

Sunday                             1100 to 1800

Exchange $US and ; over $500 government issued photo ID required.

Worship Services/Contacts

Hindu

Vedic Cultural Centre        www.vccthunderbay.com

1600 Dease St.                 807-623-3111

Monday to Sunday           7:00 am to 1:00 pm

                                         4:30 pm to 8:00 pm

Islam

Thunder Bay Masjid

591 John St                        807-766-9644

Orthodox

Greek Orthodox Community Holy Trinity Church    www.gothunderbay.org

651 Beverly St.                   807-344-9522

Mass: Sunday 10:30 am

Ukrainian Orthodox Church of St. Volodymr's

1502 Mountdale Ave.         807-577-7174

Mass: Sunday 10:00 am

Roman Catholic    www.dotb.ca

Our Lady of Loretto Roman Catholic Church

290 Grenville Ave                 807-683-8753

Masses: Saturday 5:00 pm

            Sunday 10:00 am

30 minutes walk from Lakehead Marine and Industrial and Current River Terminal

St. Andrew's Roman Catholic Church

292 Red River Rd.                 807-345-5202

Masses: Saturday 5:00 pm

Sunday 10:00 am

45 minutes walk from Richardson Main Terminal, 30 minutes walk from Pool 6 Cruise Ship Facility

St. Peter's Roman Catholic Church (Slovak)

615 Connolly St.                     807-623-8106

Masses: Sunday 10.00 am 

Monday 7:30 am

Tuesday 7:00 pm

Wednesday to Saturday 9:00 am

Saturday  5:00 pm

45 minutes walk from Midcontinent Terminal, Canada Malting and Viterra A & B, and 30 minutess from Keefer Terminal

St. Agnes Roman Catholic Church

1019 Brown St.                         807-475-7489

Masses: Sunday 9:00 am 11:00 am & 7:00 pm

Tuesday. 7:00 pm

Wednesday to Friday 12:10 pm

Saturday 5:00 pm

20 minutes walk from Western Grain By-Products

Roman Catholic – Croatian

Assumption of Blessed Virgin Mary Roman Catholic Church

479 Oliver Road                         807-345-2249

Mass: Sunday 11:00 am

Roman Catholic – Polish

Thunder Bay North

St. Mary's - Our Lady Queen of Poland Roman Catholic Church

85 Algoma St. N                         807-344-1066

Masses: Sunday 11:30 am Polish

Saturday 5:00 pm English

Thunder Bay South

St. Casimir's Roman Catholic Church

613 McKenzie St.                         807-623-3916

Masses: Sunday 10:00 am Polish

Saturday 5:00 pm English

Ukrainian Catholic

Thunder Bay South

Church of the Transfiguration

629 McIntosh St.                         807-623-3793

Mass: Sunday 10:00 am

Church of the Holy Cross

415 Victoria Ave. W.                     807-577-7720

Mass: Sunday 10.00 am English & Ukrainian

Saturday 5.00 pm 

During the summer, mass schedules may change as priests may be on vacation.

For other faith groups contact the chaplain for information.

Mission to Seafarers: Port of Thunder Bay Home Page