The years of service delivered by seafarers’ missions is often forgotten or underestimated. It is gratifying when port communities understand the significance of centres for seafarers. When The (Australia) National Trust recently hosted a conference on the future of Melbourne’s maritime heritage, it was acknowledged that the domed roof of the Mission to Seafarers is [...]
The final report from the ICMA Regional Conference held in Odessa concludes with a set of statements by the delegates that underline the region’s commitment to caring for the welfare of seafarers. The outgoing Regional Coordinator, AOS Deacon Ricardo Rodriguez Martos from Barcelona, Spain, wrote that the region was committed to pursue the following goals [...]
To be able to say that Kapringen – A Hijacking is good as a film, would be a fitting tribute to the seafarers and the shipping company whom it depicts. In fact, it is a very good film indeed. The Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme (MPHRP) presented a pre-screening of Kapringen – A Hijacking in [...]
Chaplains’ responses to seafarers affected by piracy requires common sense, not therapy. Pastors should be professional in fulfilling their limited but crucial role, and establish themselves as a vital resource. The ICMA Regional Conference in Odessa was addressed by the Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme. Toon van de Sande delivered a paper to raise awareness [...]
The ICMA centres in Yalta and Barcelona report that they run small but successful sports programmes for crews. They participate in the ISWAN sports initiative. Football and basketball games are organised. Both these centres work closely with ISWAN’s sports programmes for seafarers. Especially cruise ships participate. Port cities are not always supportive in supplying [...]
The twinning of seafarers’s centres, a project currently run by the newly established ISWAN, was initially intended by ICSW to connect ex-Soviet Union centres with centres elsewhere in the world. Set up to improve understanding of the the mindset of Slavonic seafarers, and to inspire hospitality to foreign seafarers in Eastern European ports, the Twinning [...]
“Seafarers are human. They are not simply labourers nor expendable commodities. Respect for seafarers, and seafarers’ respect for themselves, should be nurtured to enable seafarers to improve the quality of their lives.” Nataliya Yefrimenko, Odessa-based ITF Inspector, conveyed the warm regards of the ITF and its local affliliates to the ICMA Regional Conference. Yefrimenko represented [...]
The Iceberg 1 crew “represent the spirit of seafarers’ determination to continue their maritime careers after this experience (of piracy)” MPHRP stated at its acceptance of the Sailor Today annual award for seafarers welfare in India. The Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Programme has been recognised for excellence in caring for seafarers after piracy. The maritime [...]
The establishment of the International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network on April 1st, 2013, heralds a new era in the provision and promotion of welfare services to merchant seafarers. The International Seafarers Welfare and Assistance Network, to be more commonly known by its acronym ISWAN, is the response of international bodies and partners of [...]
The Seafarers Emergency Fund was set up by The TK Foundation and is supported by the ITF Seafarers Trust. The fund is used to provide immediate, essential aid to seafarers and the families of seafarers who are directly involved in sudden and unforeseen crises. Welfare organisations can apply to this fund when responding to [...]
Read the
ICMA Chairman’s Report
2011 – 2012
Read the text of the
MLC2006
International Labour Organisation
Work in Fishing Convention, 2007 (N.188)
