Two-thirds of the surface of the planet Earth is covered by
water. Statistics state that around 90 % of world trade is done by sea. Today,
we are honoring this group of men and women who do the hard work in sailing (or running) the global economy.
In 2010, The International Maritime Organization (IMO),
through The International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification
and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), held a conference in The Philippines to
update the existing code that will reflect the modern and the technological
advancement in the maritime industry. The changes in the STCW were named 2010
Manila Amendments.
In addition, the treaty declared 2010 as “Year of the
Seafarer” and nominated 25th June of each year as the “Day of the
Seafarer” through The Attachment 3 to the Final Act of the 2010 STCW Conference
Resolution 19 with the heading Day of the Seafarer.
It stated among other:
“Recognizing fully the unique contribution seafarers from
all over the world make to international seaborne trade, the world economy and
civil society as a whole,
Recognizing equally the considerable risks seafarers
shoulder in the execution of their daily tasks and duties in an often hostile
environment,
Mindful of the deprivation to which seafarers are subject
through spending long periods of their professional life at sea away from their
families and friends,
It encourages Governments, shipping organizations,
companies, shipowners and all other parties concerned to duly and appropriately
promote the Day of the Seafarer and to take action to celebrate it
meaningfully.”
On the IMO
website, the present Secretary-General Kitack Lim, who is from South Korea,
said: “this year, on the June 25th, the Day of the Seafarer, we are
once again asking the people of the world to show their appreciation for the
seafarers that quietly, mostly unnoticed, keep the wheels of the world in
motion.”
Today’s celebration is on its 6th anniversary.
This year’s campaign theme is “At Sea For All”. This is to let the world know
how and why seafarers are indispensable to all. Seafarers serve not just fulfilling their own professional career advancement or being partner of the shipping industry. The services they render and those products that gets delivered worldwide definitely affect everybody.
Mabuhay ang mga
Pinoy Seafarers !!!
