Day of the Seafarer in the United States

Day of the Seafarer is an international observance celebrated on June 25th each year. It was established by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) in 2010 to recognize the invaluable contributions seafarers make to international trade and the world economy, often at great personal cost to themselves and their families.

History

• 2010: The Day of the Seafarer was established during a diplomatic conference in Manila, which also adopted major revisions to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW).
• 2011: The first official observance took place.

Traditions

While there are no specific "traditions" associated with the Day of the Seafarer, activities generally include:

• Public Awareness: Campaigns to raise awareness about the crucial role seafarers play in global trade.
• Social Media: Sharing stories and expressing gratitude towards seafarers using hashtags like #SeafarersDay or #ThankYouSeafarers.
• Industry Recognition: Shipping companies and ports may hold events or provide special recognition for their seafaring staff.
• Policy Discussions: Forums and conferences discussing issues relevant to seafarers’ welfare and future.

What People Do

On this day, maritime organizations, shipping companies, ports, and individuals:

• Acknowledge and thank seafarers for their work.
• Advocate for better working conditions for seafarers.
• Engage in policy dialogue about safety and security at sea.
• Share information about life at sea to educate the public.