This year, once again, the 25th June will mark the annual Day of the Seafarer (DotS), and the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) has announced its theme of ‘Seafarers Matter’.

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

The resolution ‘encourages Governments, shipping organisations, companies, shipowners and all other parties concerned to duly and appropriately promote the Day of the Seafarer and take action to celebrate it meaningfully’.

The IMO’s theme of ‘Seafarers Matter’ aims to particularly engage ports and seafarer centres to demonstrate how much seafarers matter to them. The idea is for ports and seafarer centres to share and showcase best practices in seafarer support and welfare, and organise special activities for seafarers on the day, such as:

• A social event organised in port to celebrate seafarers
• A public open day at seafarer centres
• Free WiFi in port for a day

Last year, ISWAN held a successful event on Saturday 25th June at the SMX Convention Center in Manila to mark the Day of the Seafarer. The event – which included on-stage entertainment, family activities, an exhibition of company stands and a Health and Wellbeing zone – was attended by over 2,500 seafarers, maritime cadets and their families, as well as IMO Secretary-General Kitack Lim. To see the video of the event, please click here.