25th June is the day of the Seafarer. The day not only acknowledges the invaluable work of seafarers, but also aims to bring global attention to the issues affecting their work and lives, such as piracy. It calls on governments to develop policies that lead to fair treatment of seafarers at ports, and asks private ship companies and owners to provide their employees proper facilities and comforts while they are at sea. 

I have a friend who was captain of a large oil tanker and he often reported that when they docked in a port to change crews to come home they were often treated as second class citizens being herded into trucks to be taken to the nearest airport as soon as they landed.  

Since 2011, the IMO has taken the celebration of the Day of the Seafarer online, calling for the public to use social media such as Facebook and Twitter, to voice their support for seafarers and to thank them for their work. The United Nations has now included the Day of the Seafarer in its list of observances. 

Where would we manage without our Seafarers. How would our food and cars and the machinery we need to maintain our society as we know it. After all "Seafarers Matter”. 90% of goods traded worldwide travel by sea so we really do need to be appreciative of risks they take and the disruption to their personal lives and their families whilst being away at sea for such extended periods. Their sacrifice and contribution to our society it enormous.  

Each year there are different themes:

2022 is New technologies for greener shipping”

In 2021 Raise Awareness of the Work Seafarers Have Done During COVID-19 Pandemic 

2020 Sea Farers Matter and they certainly did. Many of them were stranded in different parts of the world far away and unable to get home because of the global travel restrictions during the Covid pandemic.

Interestingly - The first documented sea voyage was made around 3200 BCE, and was bankrolled by the Egyptian Pharaoh Snefru (who also built at least three pyramids during his reign).