The International Seafarers' Welfare Awards Results 2011
Shipping Company of the Year
Wilhelmsen Ship Management
Wilhelmsen Ship Management (WSM) places a great deal of emphasis on the work life balance of its sea crews. WSM contributes money monthly to the ship's club which the crew is free to spend as they wish. It also encourages outdoor games such as basketball, badminton, and cricket and ships have a full gym
Many WSM vessels have VSAT which enables the seafarer to easily and frequently stay in touch with their family via internet and telephone. Free email is provided to all seafarers.
Offices in large supply countries have family support departments which support the families wherever possible in situations such as flooding and natural calamities by offering physical and monetary support and temporary housing etc. WSM also funds social events and gatherings and fun-days for families and children.
Port of the Year
Port of Antwerp, Belgium
The Port of Antwerp is the second largest in Europe and is located far from the city of Antwerp. This distance, combined with quick turnaround times means seafarers often do not have time to leave the port. Recognising the impact this was having on the welfare of seafarers, the Port of Antwerp created a port wide WiFi network, which is free for the seafarers to use.
The port also provides free transport to the city and to the Antwerp Seafarers centre for those seafarers who do have a little longer on shore.
Seafarer Centre of the Year
Duckdalben International Seamen's Club, Germany
Twenty volunteers and a chaplain from Duckdalben International Seamen's Club lead a daily ship visiting service which on average visits between six and 10 ships every day. This is on top of the 150 seamen who visit the club building each day. If medical, legal or other pastoral support is needed a network of professionals is readily available. The club also visits seamen in hospitals or in prison to support them within this hard time.
The club, which is open 365 days a year, also provides communications services, sports facilities, and leisure activities such as musical instruments and karaoke. There is a shop and a money changing facility and for staff will buy specialist items from shops in and around Hamburg.
Welfare Personality of the Year – joint winners
The Reverend Peters Ellis
The Reverend Peter Ellis is described as "a remarkable character with a natural ability to identify with seafarers and understands their needs". This expertise comes from a lifetime's dedication to furthering the cause of seafarer's wellbeing. Peter avidly monitors developments in the shipping industry to ensure that the service he is responsible for retains the utmost relevance to seafarers needs. He is a strong advocate and always ensures that seafarers' needs are brought to the attention of shipping companies.
His nomination said: "Peter is the outstanding example of a seafarer's friend. Regardless of rank, religion or race Peter has cared for them all. He is a model of service commitment and dedication to the task of upholding seafarers."
Paddy Percival
Paddy Percival is fondly referred to as 'Babushka' by many of the seafarers she regularly cares for. This nickname, which means grandmother in Russian, is a reference to the fact that at the age of 60 she learnt the Russian language so she could better support the many Russian seafarers that pass through Durban.
Paddy has been providing a personalised service as a chaplain to seafarers for over 10 years. She particularly focuses her efforts on seafarers needing assistance after being traumatised during piracy hijacking, ship disasters, serious injuries, arrest or the onset of domestic problems. She offers care and counselling on board, in the Mission Centre and in hospitals. She has been known to take seafarers to her own home for a home cooked meal and she has liquidised meals and handfed those who are seriously ill.
JUDGES' SPECIAL AWARD FOR OUTSTANDING SERVICES TO SEAFARERS' WELFARE
Dr Suresh Narain Idnani
This year the judges have decided to present a Special Award for Outstanding Services to Seafarers' Welfare to Dr Suresh Narain Idnani.
Dr Idnani's career spans three decades of practical experience and training in the areas of seafarers' health and welfare. He is elected the President of the International Maritime Health Association (IMHA) for a second term and is responsible for developing international relations for the Association; with the team, he is working to develop a quality assurance accreditation scheme in maritime health. For four years he ran the South Asia programme of the International Committee on Seafarers' Welfare.
A colleague said of him ""He took up this somewhat thankless task in South Asia at a time when few people were aware of the importance of the issue [of seafarers' welfare]. As a result of his continuous follow up, efficient delivery systems for seafarers' welfare were established all over the region. More than ten port welfare committees now function in India, the Colombo port of Sri Lanka leads the way in welfare matters and countries such as Bangladesh and Pakistan are now on the welfare map."
