NSW Ports marked International Seafarers Day by teaming up with local seafarer support agencies in Sydney and Port Kembla to deliver a complimentary dinner to mariners in port.
International Seafarers Day is an annual event that pays tribute to the work of 1.6m seafarers worldwide.
With current COVID-19 restrictions, many seafarers have had to remain onboard the ships calling at Port Botany and Port of Kembla beyond the normal designated maximum period of 11 months.
To help bring a bit of comfort and cheer for these vital workers, NSW Ports – together with Shane Hobday of Sydney Seafarers Welfare Committee in Port Botany and Reverend John Kewa of Mission to Seafarers in Port Kembla – delivered locally made pizza to all of the vessels in port on the night of 25 June.
NSW Ports CEO, Marika Calfas said, “NSW Ports is pleased to offer a small slice of local comfort to these vital workers. In managing Port Botany and Port Kembla, we see first-hand the critical role seafarers play in connecting our ports to domestic and global marketplaces, to support the people and businesses of NSW.
“We are particularly thrilled to partner with Sydney Seafarers Welfare Committee and Mission to Seafarers to deliver this special care package tonight. These organisations play an important role in looking after the welfare of Seafarers.”
