IMO Secretary-General Efthimios E. Mitropoulos has reached out to seafarers in an open letter, distributed worldwide via shipping and seafarer organizations.
The letter reviews the achievements made under last year’s World Maritime Day theme “2010: Year of the Seafarer”, pointing to increased public awareness of seafarers and their work; the adoption of major amendments to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW Convention) and its associated Code; and the creation of an annual “Day of the Seafarer.”
It also re-assures seafarers that IMO’s 2011 theme “Piracy: orchestrating the response”, and its associated action plan, aim to encourage a decisive and effective global response to piracy; and urges seafarers to play their role in implementing best management practices when sailing through piracy-infested areas.
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IMO – the International Maritime Organization – is the United Nations specialized agency with responsibility for the safety and security of shipping and the prevention of marine pollution by ships.
For further information please contact:
Lee Adamson, Head, Public Information Services on 020 7587 3153 (
media@imo.org )
Natasha Brown, External Relations Officer on 020 7587 3274 (
media@imo.org ).