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The world says thanks to seafarers

Published:Tuesday | June 21, 2011 | 12:00 AM
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Fritz Pinnock
Rear Admiral Peter Brady. - File
Christophe Gaussin (left) of Gaussin Manufacturers, France, speaks to Grantley Stephenson (centre), CEO of Kingston Wharves Limited, and Roger Hinds, president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica, about the new truck his company has designed to improve port operations. The truck features a new-design modular engine that can be removed and replaced with a spare, allowing the vehicle to have a maximum of 20 minutes downtime in operations. This was one of several port innovations observed by the KWL/SAJ representatives at TOC Europe, 2011, in Antwerp, Belgium, June 7 to 9.
Grantley Stephenson, CEO of Kingston Wharves Limited, seen here testing a crane simulator system designed and marketed by Hartmann & König of Germany. Roger Hinds (right), president of the Shipping Association of Jamaica and an exhibitor look on. The occasion was the Terminal Operations Conference & Exhibition held June 7 to 9, 2011 in Antwerp, Belgium.
Eivind Kolding, CEO of Maersk, addresses the Container Shipping and Logistics Industry during the Terminal Operations Conference held in Antwerp, Belgium, on June 7 to 9, 2011. Kolding, as the keynote speaker, made a landmark statement in calling for major changes in the shipping industry.
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On June 25, the world will say a special thank you to its seafarers by celebrating the 'Day of the Seafarer'.

The worldwide campaign, which is being spearheaded by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO), will say thanks to the world's approximately 1.5 million seafarers who have and continue to brave the perils of the sea and land to ensure world trade remains uninterrupted.

2010 was designated the Year of the Seafarer. IMO member states agreed that the unique contribution made by seafarers, from all over the world, to international seaborne trade and world economy and civil society, as a whole, should be marked annually with a 'Day of the Seafarer'.

Milestone

June 25 was chosen as the date to honour seafarers as it is the day on which the milestone revisions to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (the STCW Convention) and its associated Code were adopted at a Diplomatic Conference in 2010 in Manila, the Philippines. The conference was chaired by Rear Admiral Peter Brady, director general of the Maritime Authority of Jamaica.

In paying tribute to seafarers, Admiral Brady said, "Jamaica, as with most other countries in the world relies on ships which carry over 90 per cent of their trade, and these ships are operated by seafarers to whom we show this special recognition."

Fritz Pinnock, executive director of the Caribbean Maritime Institute (CMI), the region's centre for excellence in maritime training, in commenting on the designation of the day, reflected on the CMI's commitment to producing world-class, disciplined and well-rounded officers for the cargo, cruise and ultra-luxury yacht sectors.

Increasing awareness

"The Day of the Seafarer is significant as we seek to redefine the Caribbean people, from serving as basic ratings to become senior officers of the most sophisticated vessels," Pinnock said.

"The CMI is striving to develop awareness of the importance of the maritime industry, thereby fostering a maritime conscience, which is almost non-existent within the region," Pinnock added.

He noted that seafaring offers an exciting, well-rewarding, flexible, varied and lifelong career at the heart of globalisation. The chances to progress are excellent as the industry is hungry for professionals with sea-going experience.

The IMO will celebrate the occasion with an online campaign, using several social media networks, including Facebook and Twitter to say "thank you". Jamaica, therefore joining the rest of the world in paying tribute to seafarers the world over and to Jamaican seafarers in particular.