The ICSW International Seafarer Welfare Awards were launched in 2010 to mark the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Year of the Seafarer.
Over 2000 nominations were received from seafarers, submissions were judged by some of the maritime industry’s leading figures and the awards were presented by Efthimios E. Mitropoulos, Secretary General of the IMO at an event in London. The awards received widespread coverage in the maritime media. The 2010 winners were:
Shipping Company - Bernhard Schulte Management
When Cyclone Nargis hit Myanmar in 2008 the Bernhard Schulte Management (BSM) disaster relief fund helped rebuild and repair the homes of seafarers’ families. Financial support is made available for personal crises and sickness and free repatriation is offered. On a lighter note staff on board vessels enjoy games, films, books and even karaoke! Gyms and pools are available on board to maintain fitness and nutrition is giving top priority with BSM’s own catering company, Messrs Seachef. Free email facilities and cheap phone calls maintain family contact while a wives clubs supports spouses while seafarers are away.
Port – joint winners Singapore and Barcelona
With 140,000 vessels passing through its waters every year, Singapore is the busiest port in the world. At any one time some 1000 ships are in dock. Its Singapore Mariners’ Club provides a one stop shop for all foreign seamen on shore leave, including competitively priced apartments to use with their families, extensive communication and sports facilities and sightseeing tours. An annual grant of $100,000 funds counselling services and pastoral services.
Since 1947 the Port of Barcelona has supported the Apostleship of the Sea welfare club by offering it rent-free property and by helping to fund its activities. A special agreement with the Apostleship cares for abandoned seafarers and homeless fishermen. Other services to the Apostleship include sponsoring information leaflets and signposting within the merchant port to help seafarers find their way to the club. The port also sponsored the publication of a study of welfare needs of seafarers when arriving in port.
Seafarers Centre – Rosenhill Seaman’s Centre, Gothenburg
Zumba might be the latest fitness craze sweeping the sports clubs in the western world but enjoyment of it isn’t restricted to ladies dancing their way to fitness; it is one of the activities offered at Rosenhill Seaman’s Centre in Gothenburg, Sweden. Others include basketball, tennis, volleyball and a fully equipped gym, to name just a few. Transport and money exchange services help seafarers make the most of their time in a new country, while cheap phone cards, wifi and computers make getting in touch with home easy. Welfare workers visited 2366 ships during 2009.
Welfare Personality of the Year
When Haitian seaman Philome Guerrier lost both his legs in an accident when he was docked in the UK, it was Ann Brogan of Southampton-based Sailors’ Society who offered him the support he needed. She kept in constant contact throughout his rehabilitation and the Sailors’ Society raised enough money for Philome to have artificial limbs fitted before he returned home. Ann has worked at the Sailors’ Society for almost 20 years supporting port chaplains around the world and one said that no problem was too big for her to fix.
