ISWAN held a successful event on Saturday 25 June at the SMX Convention Center in Manila to mark the IMO Day of the Seafarer. The event was attended by over 2,500 seafarers, maritime cadets, and their families. The IMO Secretary-General, Mr Kitack Lim, attended and spoke the event.

Roger Harris, Executive Director of ISWAN, said "It was an amazing day. The event surpassed all our expectations. We were grateful for the presence of the Secretary-General and for the support of the sponsors. We were particularly appreciative of the participation of the all seafarers and their families who attended."

Robert Kledal, Chief Executive Officer of Wrist Ship Supply, said "Wrist Ship Supply are proud of being associated with the ISWAN Day of the Seafarer event held in Manila last Saturday (25 June). As a main sponsor, we were pleased to see over 2,500 seafarers and families enjoying the day at the SMX Convention Center. It was important that we celebrated the Day of the Seafarer in the Philippines where a large proportion of the world's seafarers come from."

The day consisted of a series of a wide range activities including on stage entertainment throughout the day, and a talent show by cadets from maritime schools. Seafarers and their families were able to take part in family activities in the Children's Zone, sponsored by GASFI, and visit a range of company stands in the exhibition area with free giveaways. The event also included a Health and Well-being zone, sponsored by UK PandI Club, which 1500 seafarers passed through to take basic medical tests, and receive health literature and medical advice from volunteer doctors and nurses.

The winner of the talent show was NTMA Creative Waves with 14 cadets from NYK-TDG Maritime Academy.

The day was hosted by Filipino celebrity Ms Issa Litton.

The event was sponsored by the International Transport Workers Federation (ITF), Wrist Ship Supply, The UK PandI Club, AMOSUP, Inmarsat, IMEC, The International Chamber of Shipping, Seafarer Asia Magazine, PSU, Phil Health, and iVitta/Hya and was supported by the IMO.

The ISWAN Day of the Seafarer event provided an opportunity to celebrate the vital contribution of seafarers to our everyday lives as they are at sea for all of us. With one third of all seafarers coming from the Philippines, Manila was the perfect place to celebrate and show our appreciation for everything all seafarers, all over the world, do for us.

A short video of the event will be available shortly.

Photos from the day can be found here.