The United Nations(UN)’s Day of the Seafarer is annually observed across the globe on 25th June to create awareness about the seafarers and the challenges they face. The day also offers a platform to pay tribute to the seafarers recognising the risk they take in the execution of their daily life and their duties in the hostile environment.
- 25th June 2022 marks the observance of the 12th Day of the Seafarer.
The observance of the Day of the Seafarer is led by the International Maritime Organization (IMO).
- IMO is a specialized agency of the UN responsible for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine and atmospheric pollution by ships.
The theme/Campaign theme of Day of the Seafarer 2022 is “Your voyage – then and now, share your journey”.
Background:
Resolution 19 was adopted at the IMO’s Conference Of Parties To The International Convention On Standards Of Training, Certification And Watchkeeping For Seafarers(STCW), 1978 (the Diplomatic Conference, held in Manila, the Philippines in June 2010) proclaimed on the 25th June of every year as the “Day of the Seafarer”.
- The first ever Day of the Seafarer was observed on 25th June 2011.
2022 Campaign:
i.The 2022 theme/campaign theme of Day of the Seafarer celebrates the maritime journeys and voyages of seafarers and provides a chance to recognize and pay tribute to seafarers everywhere, whatever their voyage.
ii.Along with the existing social media hashtag #DayOfTheSeafarer, the new hashtag #SeafarerJourney will be used for the 2022 campaign.
Observance in India:
i.Day of the Seafarer-2022 was virtually celebrated in India in the presence of Maritime personalities, Seafarers and their families in India and abroad.
- Kitack Lim, Secretary General of IMO addressed the Indian Seafaring community through video message.
ii.Amitabh Kumar, Director General(DG) of Shipping noted that, as envisioned in the Maritime India Vision-2030 launched by the Prime Minister(PM) Narendra Modi, the number of active seafarers is to be increased to 5 lakhs by 2030.
- To achieve this target, the DG of Shipping devised six schemes for the transition of Agniveers joining the Indian Navy to the Merchant Navy after completing their 4-years tour of duties in the Indian Navy.
- An additional 16 schemes for a smooth transition of the retiring Indian Navy Personnel into the Merchant Navy by acquiring necessary certification in accordance with the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping Convention of International Maritime Organisation were promulgated by DG Shipping.
Additional info:
The Maritime Association of Shipowners, Shipmanagers and Agents (MASSA) awarded cash prizes of Rs 50,000 to each of the 4 meritorious women candidates as per their education grant scheme to support and encourage women to take up seafaring as a career.
About International Maritime Organisation(IMO):
Secretary-General– Kitack Lim
Headquarters– London, The United Kingdom(UK)
