#SeafarersMatter - Today 25 June is the Day of the Seafarer (DotS) an annual event which celebrates and recognises the role that people have on our oceans.

The theme of this year's Dots event run by the International Maritime Organisation (IMO) is that 'Seafarers Matter'

DotS was established in a resolution adopted by the 2010 Diplomatic Conference in Manila to adopt the revised STCW Convention. Its stated purpose is to recognize the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole.

The resolution "encourages Governments, shipping organizations, companies, shipowners and all other parties concerned to duly and appropriately promote the Day of the Seafarer and take action to celebrate it meaningfully".

On this Day of the Seafarer, the organiers wanted particularly for ports to engage and by having seafarer centres demonstrate how much seafarers matter to them. The idea is for ports and seafarer centres to share and showcase best practices in seafarer support and welfare.

During today special activities for seafarers will be held, for example the following events:

Social events organised in port to celebrate seafarers

Public open day at seafarer centres

Free wi-fi in port for a day