Big names in shipping took to social media yesterday to support the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Day of the Seafarer 2015 themed around a #CareerAtSea
Maersk Line, Teekay Corp and Magsaysay were among those posting about their seafarers on Twitter, along charitable organisations such as Sailors Society and Apostleship of the Seas.
Some went further with pledges of support for the industry. Global Navigation Solutions (GNS) said it was pledging to supply digital chart software to all cadet training colleges who make application during the next three years.
“A career in the maritime profession offers worldwide opportunities and the training of the next generation of seafarers is vital to world trade,” said CEO of GNS, Paul Stanley.
“We are delighted to play our part in supporting this work and being an ambassador for a great industry.”
Meanwhile the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), the Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) and the Singapore Organisation of Seamen (SOS), were jointly distributing 600 hampers to ships calling in Singapore.
“This year’s Day of the Seafarer campaign focuses on careers at sea. Through this, IMO seeks to demonstrate the exciting and fulfilling careers available in the maritime sector. Singapore fully supports these efforts and the Government is committed to helping Singaporeans benefit from these opportunities,” said Associate Professor Muhammad Faishal Ibrahim, at ceremony held for the hamper giving at Sembmarine’s Integrated Yard in Tuas.
Not everybody was quite so impressed by the social media driven event to recognise the role of seafarers.
Paul Towers, one of the crew of the Seaman Guard Ohio, still unable to leave India after 21 months despite being acquitted on all charges relating to the detention of the maritime security vessels in 2013, posted: “Does the IMO support the seafarer’s detained in India for nearly 21 months?”
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