It’s that time of year and once again, on June 25th, the Day of the Seafarer is upon us. Whether you work in a seafarer job, in another role in the maritime industry, or are someone who just has a passing interest in logistics, shipping, or life at sea, this is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the careers and lives of the men and women who work on commercial ships.
As with every year, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) has decided upon a theme for 2024’s Day of the Seafarer and we’ll be taking a closer look at that in this blog post. But first, let’s take a look at the background of this day of observance.
A brief history of the Day of the Seafarer
The Day of the Seafarer, which is always celebrated on June 25th, was established by a resolution at the 2010 Diplomatic Conference in Manila, which adopted the revised STCW Convention.
Its purpose is to acknowledge the unique contributions of seafarers worldwide to international maritime trade, the global economy, and society.
The resolution calls on governments, shipping organizations, shipping companies, shipowners, manning agents and all other relevant parties to actively promote the Day of the Seafarer and to celebrate it in meaningful ways.
The United Nations recognizes the Day of the Seafarer as an official observance day.
A video message from the IMO’s Secretary-General
Check out this video message from IMO Secretary-General Arsenio Dominguez, dedicated to the 2024 Day of the Seafarer:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=imN3uBzF6OI
The Day of the Seafarer: Theme for 2024
This year the IMO has chosen to focus on the vital role seafarers play in ensuring a safer maritime industry. To involve seafarers in this initiative, the organization is inviting anyone working in a maritime job to share their top safety tips at sea, whether it's to do with the protective gear they use or the training they've undergone.
As a part of their campaign, the IMO is encouraging seafarers to share photos of themselves in their work environment, showcasing how they maintain safety at sea.
Read more: What was the 2020 Day of the Seafarer theme?
Social media engagement for seafarers
If you’re someone who works in a seafarer job, you probably don’t need us to tell you that you may well spend a significant amount of your time onboard ships on your social media accounts.
(PS; Want some tips on how to do that without jeopardizing your maritime career? Check out this blog post about using social media wisely when you work in a job at sea!)
As the IMO says in the information for this year's campaign, social media offers you as a seafarer numerous opportunities to capture your work environment. And of course, if you’re sharing your posts about safety at sea on your social media, you’ll also want to use the official hashtag!
For 2024, the Day of the Seafarer campaign will use the hashtag #SafetyTipsAtSea.
So why not share a photo of yourself at work, whether you’re working on a cargo ship, you’re onboard a chemical tanker, or you’re a marine pilot - and don’t forget to include your top safety tip at sea, using the hashtag.
The IMO really wants those working in seafarer jobs to be inventive this year by highlighting the equipment you use to ensure workplace safety, share any specialized training you've received, and describe how you contribute to enhancing maritime safety and security, alongside protecting the marine environment.
Tell the International Maritime Organization (and the world) how you keep up with technological advancements and innovations to stay safe onboard.
How can YOU get involved in the Day of the Seafarer 2024?
- Seafarers: As we’ve mentioned, get posting on social media and share your safety tips using the #SafetyTipsAtSea hashtag.
- Shipping companies and manning agencies: Use your personal or company social media accounts to post photos demonstrating how you support seafarers in staying safe.
- Everyone else: Jump on Facebook, X, LinkedIn or your social network of choice and show your appreciation for those who work in seafarer jobs and tell your followers how being safe at sea benefits everyone.
The Day of the Seafarer: Final thoughts
As an annual observance, the Day of the Seafarer is a timely event that reminds all of us who aren’t working in a job at sea to show some appreciation for the unsung heroes of global trade: Seafarers.
Working on a cargo ship, tanker, fishing boat, or any other commercial vessel can be exhausting, and physically and mentally demanding.
Few of us give much thought to the men and women who live and work at sea and the long hours they put in and the months they spend away from home to bring us the goods and products we rely on in our daily lives.
From essential medicines to food and clothing and from cars and fuel to children's toys and furniture, around 90% of the world’s goods are transported by sea. And it’s up to seafarers to ensure those cargoes arrive at their destination in a safe and timely fashion.
After all, as the IMO’s Secretary-General, Arsenio Dominguez, says in his video message;
“Without seafarers there would be no shipping, no shopping and no supply chain.”
Read more: The Day of the Seafarer 2023 and its theme
So let’s give our wholehearted thanks to seafarer’s across the globe and salute them, not just on this year’s Day of the Seafarer, but all year round.
And why not come and follow Martide on social media too to see how we’re celebrating the Day of the Seafarer 2024. You can find us on Facebook, X (Twitter), LinkedIn and Pinterest.
Eve Church
Eve is Martide's content writer, publishing regular posts on everything from our maritime recruitment and crew planning software to life at sea. Eve has been writing professionally for more than two decades, crafting everything from SEO-focused blog posts and website landing pages to magazine articles and corporate whitepapers.
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