THE Australian Maritime Safety Authority has given thanks to the West Pilbara Port Welfare Association for organising 1200 hampers to be delivered to seafarers last Christmas.

AMSA is an active member of the Association—a not-for-profit organisation that supports the welfare and mental health of seafarers visiting West Pilbara Ports.

In December, staff from the Australian Maritime Safety Authority in Karratha, along with 15 stakeholder and local businesses involved with the Association, banded together to spread the Christmas cheer.

Together, the team handed out Christmas hampers to seafarers aboard 57 ships in the Ports of Dampier, Port Walcott and Cape Preston in the Western Australian region.

Seafarers work under some of the toughest conditions, facing daily challenges like no other workplace. With conditions for seafarers made even more difficult over the last year due to COVID-19, the small act of kindness was particularly well received.

One captain was so delighted he emailed to thank AMSA.

“Thanks for your lovely presents, which give the crew a warm-hearted Christmas. Nobody expects Santa Claus was… AMSA,” he wrote.

He said that after the tough year they had experienced in 2020, the hampers went a long way to lifting their spirits and increasing their hopes for 2021.

The West Pilbara Port Welfare Association put many volunteer hours into planning, collecting and packing the Christmas hampers that included food, Australian souvenirs, Christmas items and toiletries to help the seafarers remember their visit to West Australian shores over the festive season.