Port of Richards Bay welfare forum initiated
The aims of the project are to improve the welfare services and support made available to seafarers when they call at different ports around the world.
AFTER being warmly received by Port of Richards Bay senior management, the country’s largest port is in the process of establishing a Port Welfare Committee to assist visiting seafarers with welfare services, assistance and support.
This follows the inauguration of a Port Welfare Committee at the Port of Durban last week, as part of the International Port Welfare Partnership Programme (IPWP).
The IPWP team on Friday attended a meeting at the Port of Richards Bay, which was arranged by Mission to Seafarers (MtS) Chaplain, Mark Classen.
At the meeting, TNPA Port Manager Thami Sithole and Harbour Master Captain Precious Dube enthusiastically welcomed the IPWP team and acknowledged the valuable work that Chaplain Classen and his team at the Seafarers centre do for seafarers.
They pledged a commitment to be involved in the establishment of a Richards Bay PWC, as did Adrian Lee, Operations Manager at Rennie Ships Agents, who was present at the meeting.
Port Welfare Committees are part of a world-wide initiative of the International Seafarers’ Welfare Assistance Network (ISWAN), funded by the ITF Seafarers’ Trust, the UK Merchant Navy Welfare Board (MNWB), Seafarers UK and TK Foundation.
The aims of the project are to improve the welfare services and support made available to seafarers when they call at different ports around the world.
These include ship visiting, a seafarers centre, transport, and providing seafarers with access to shops, the internet and communications with home, together with support during times of need.
The project is managed by the staff of the MNWB who have a wealth of knowledge and experience in both operating and setting up welfare boards.
The IPWP aims to develop a global network of welfare boards and port welfare committees for the benefit of seafarers.
Local buy-in
‘We already have buy-in from a number of interested and affected parties from the maritime and other sectors and have been encouraged by the Port of Richards Bay authorities to move swiftly in setting up the necessary forum structure,’ said Classen.
IPWP Project Manager and MNWB Deputy Chief Executive, Sharon Coveney said: ‘The men and women who live and work at sea are often away from their families and friends for many months, working long hours at demanding jobs, landing at foreign countries for only short periods of time.
‘We are delighted that Durban and Richards Bay are participating in this programme. A content, fit and healthy seafarer is a safer and more productive seafarer.’
