‘Day of the Seafarer-2022’ was celebrated with the theme ‘Your voyage – then and now, share your journey’ virtually today in the presence of a large number of Maritime personalities, Seafarers and their families in India and abroad by remembering the contribution of seafarers to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole, the considerable risks seafarers take in the execution of their daily task and duties.
Shri Atul Ubale, CMD, Shipping Corporation of India (additional charge) & Director (B&T), SCI and Chairman NMDC (Organising) Committee gave the welcome address and brief background of the occasion.
Mr. Kitack Lim, Secretary General, International Maritime Organization (IMO) in his video message also addressed the Indian Seafaring community on the occasion and asserted that new technologies, new equipment, and the need to make shipping greener will provide new challenges and opportunities for the Seafarers.
The meritorious seafarers were awarded for their excellent academic achievements for the year 2021. The Maritime Association of Shipowners, Shipmanagers and Agents (MASSA) awarded cash prizes of Rs. 50,000/- to each of the four meritorious women candidates as per their education grant scheme to support and encourage women to take up seafaring as a career.
Capt Kiran K Joshi, Chief Engineer, Ms Supriya Doke, Chief Officer, Ms Smital Chikane, Second Engineer, Shri Shitesh Thakur and Boson Mr Harneet Singh from various streams of maritime field shared the golden memories of their seafaring carrier filled with challenging, learning and nostalgic moments.
While addressing the gathering, Shri Amitabh Kumar, Director General of Shipping gave a detailed account of various programmes instituted for the benefits of seafarers and their families. He expressed that there is a need of increased participation of the women in maritime sector for enhancing the productivity, efficiency and discipline. He stated Gender Sensitization and Gender equality to be a prime objective of Indian Maritime administration. In this direction a unique step will be taken to introduce Gender Sensitization as a new subject in the maritime training. All the seafarers will be imparted training in this field.
He further apprised the gathering that the number of active seafarers is to be increase to 5 lakhs by 2030 as envisioned in the Maritime India Vision-2030 launched by the Hon’ble Prime Minister. In order to achieve this target, amongst other measures the DG Shipping has devised six schemes for transition of Agniveers joining Indian Navy to Merchant Navy after completing their 4-years tour of duties in Indian Navy. Further 16 schemes for smooth transition of the retiring Indian Navy Personnel into Merchant Navy by acquiring necessary certification in accordance with the Standards of Training Certification and Watchkeeping Convention of International Maritime Organisation have been promulgated by DG Shipping. To implement these schemes, a Memorandum of Understanding has been signed between Indian Navy and Director General of Shipping.
The function concluded with vote of thanks by Dr. Pandurang K Raut, Deputy Director General of Shipping and Member Secretary, NMDC (Central) Committee followed by National Anthem.
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SCI/CP/PK
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