Merchant Navy Welfare Board (India) celebrates Day of the Seafarer across Indian Ports and Seafaring Communities

MUMBAI : The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (India), a leading organization dedicated to the welfare of seafarers, proudly celebrated the Day of the Seafarer at various Indian ports and seafaring communities.

Ship welfare officers from Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB) visited ships docked at Indian ports, distributing sweets, welfare kits, gift items, and presentations to both Indian and international seafarers. The seafarers expressed their gratitude and happiness for the recognition and celebration of their contributions. During personal interactions, seafarers raised concerns about issues such as shore leave and repatriation in a few ports. MNWB assured the crew members that these concerns will be communicated to the Director General of Shipping, Government of India, for resolution.

The celebrations extended beyond the ports to include seafarers’ families, retired seafarers, and elderly seafarers. The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (India) and the Global Seafarers Welfare Organization (GSWO) collectively celebrated with retired, disabled, and widow seafarers and their families in seafaring colonies.

In 2010, when the International Maritime Organization designated the Day of the Seafarer, the Global Seafarers Organizations launched several welfare projects to support ex-seafarers, disabled seafarers, and widows, including the construction of seafaring housing colonies in India. Today, GSWO UK’s representative, Dr. Godwin, visited the Safe Harbor Housing Colony, which was supported by Seafarers UK. He celebrated with the community, distributing essential groceries to the widows and poor
families. The residents warmly welcomed Dr. Godwin and the MNWB team, sharing their challenges since leaving their seafaring careers due to disability and other reasons.

The residents expressed their happiness and gratitude for not being forgotten by the maritime community and for the unity brought by the Day of the Seafarer.

The Merchant Navy Welfare Board (India) remains committed to promoting quality welfare for seafarers in all Indian ports and at sea, in alignment with the Maritime Labor Convention 2006 of the International Maritime Organization.