Gift packs to support seafarers during coronavirus crisis

  • Posted by David Sexton
  • |
  • 6 April, 2020

MARITIME Safety Queensland is supporting an initiative at Gladstone Mission to Seafarers in packaging small gift pack essentials and treats for seafarers at this vital port.

MSQ general manager Angus Mitchell said the pandemic had had a significant personal impact on many international seafarers who were often the most vulnerable workers in our supply chain.

“Tight border restrictions in many countries, including Australia, means many seafarers will not step off their ships, potentially for months at a time,” Mr Mitchell said.

“Hence, they have limited opportunities to purchase personal supplies such as razors, soap and toothpaste; and equally, modicums of luxury such as snacks and magazines.

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Additionally, many will have limited opportunities to contact their families. Something as simple as an Australian phone SIM gives them that ability.”

Gifts at the Gladstone Seafarers Centre. Credit: Gladstone Mission to Seafarers

MSQ is supporting an initiative in Gladstone for those seafarers pulling into the multiple terminals at this port.

Mr Mitchell said he hoped seafarer welfare centres along the Queensland coast as well as other maritime related-industries and representative bodies came to support this initiative.

 

Posted by David Sexton

David Sexton is DCN’s senior journalist and has an extensive career across online and print media. A former DCN editor, he returns to covering shipping and logistics after a four-year hiatus working at Monash University during which time he managed production of key reports into the Indonesian ports and rail sectors.

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