SURABAYA (ISL News) - The Ministry of Transportation cq Directorate General of Sea Transportation is holding a Shipping Safety Campaign to commemorate World Seafarers' Day 2024. The event which lasted for 3 (three) days in Surabaya was attended by various parties, including representatives of ship operators and representatives of fishermen in Tanjung Perak Harbor. World Seafarers' Day is celebrated every June 25, which in 2024 will be celebrated for the fourteenth time since 2011.
Secretary of the Directorate General of Sea Transportation, Lollan Panjaitan, represented by the Head of the Tanjung Perak Main KSOP Office, Agustinus Maun, emphasized the important role of seafarers in Indonesia in his speech.
“We agree that seafarers are key workers who have an important role as the backbone of a country's economy. "Therefore, we should appreciate the contribution and services of Indonesian seafarers," he said.
The Importance of Shipping Safety
Agustinus Maun emphasized that shipping safety is an absolute necessity and a shared responsibility. This is also in line with the theme of this year's World Seafarers' Day promoted by the International Maritime Organization (IMO), namely "Safety Tips at Sea" with the sub-theme "Healthy and Happy Seafarers for Safe Ships". This theme highlights the contribution of seafarers in making the maritime sector a safe place to work.
"It is hoped that sailors can share safety tips at sea, both regarding the equipment they wear and the training they receive," he said.
Through this Shipping Safety Campaign activity, it is hoped that it can increase awareness of the importance of shipping safety because shipping safety is a shared responsibility.
"For this reason, we invite all parties starting from ship operators, fishermen, service users to prioritize safety when at sea. For example, starting from using life jackets and other preventative measures, to protect ourselves and others," he added.
Distribution of Shipping Safety Equipment
As part of this series of events, the Directorate General of Sea Transportation provided 200 free life jackets to fishermen and the maritime community at Tanjung Perak Port. A symbolic handover was given to two fishermen representatives with life jackets placed on them by Agustinus Maun together with the Coordinator of the Facilities and Infrastructure Maintenance and Manning Section, Aji Suganda.
"Hopefully the provision of life jackets will be useful and increase awareness of maintaining safety at sea and ensuring that every trip at sea is safe and comfortable," he added.
Apart from that, Agustinus Maun emphasized the importance of supervision by all related parties to ensure that shipping safety aspects are fulfilled on ships operating in the Tanjung Perak Port work area.
"Navigating safety is a shared responsibility. We invite all parties from ship operators, fishermen, to service users to prioritize safety when at sea," he concluded.
For information, the Shipping Safety Campaign also presents a Talk Show with a resource person from the Chairman of DPC INSA Surabaya, Stenven Henry Lesawengen, who provides further insight into the importance of shipping safety and the health of seafarers.
(Editor of ISL News/SKY/MM/HB/email:slnewstv@gmail.com)