International Maritime Organisation

Sea - Life - Balance

“Carrying world trade. Carrying the risks” is this year’s leitmotiv of the Day of the Seafarer. And the background is as serious as urgent. “This year’s Day of the Seafarer campaign highlights the hardship, pressure and risks of life at sea, especially in high‑risk and conflict‑affected areas, while underscoring seafarers’ essential role in keeping global trade moving”, the IMO says.

Today, there are multiple possibilities and the necessities of companies employing seafarers to support their crews: mental health services, well-being and health programs, better food or insurances including family members. Those measures come to their boundaries when global conflicts reach the free merchant shipping. Crews of tankers, container vessels and other ships are not made to be involved in violent conflicts and wars – they are meant to sail free.

Besides this it is great to see great seamanship, resilient teams on board coping with the unexpected and standing together.

The Day of the Seafarer was established in a resolution adopted by the 2010 Diplomatic Conference in Manila to adopt the revised STCW Convention. Its stated purpose is to recognize the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole.

Photo by Mitchel Aries Solis, sailing on NSB fleet.