SCI's Center for Seafarers' Rights (CSR), a world leader in advocacy for the merchant mariner, provides professional legal services for seafarers around the globe.

SCI’s Center for Seafarers’ Rights administers the world’s only free legal-aid service devoted exclusively to the needs of merchant mariners. On a daily basis, the Institute assists mariners with concerns regarding working conditions, compensation, and rights in various circumstances.

Through education, SCI empowers merchant mariners, global port chaplains, and others with information and training they need on current issues affecting mariners' rights. Attorneys for CSR teach and write materials for chaplains’ schools, seafarers’ ministries, and international conferences.

On a global scale, SCI monitors and works towards legislation to improve mariners' legal protections. Over the years, the Institute has helped pass important laws to ensure safety in the maritime workplace and the fair treatment of mariners. SCI attorneys regularly participate in International Maritime Organization, International Labour Organization, United States Congressional and other countries' legislative deliberations relating to seafarers’ issues.