30 June 2015 - The Philippine Consulate General in Vancouver participated in the Day of the Seafarer event organized by the International Sailors’ Society Canada (ISSC) on June 25 at Canada Place in Vancouver.

This year marks the first time the Day of the Seafarer was jointly celebrated in Vancouver by shipping companies, shipowners associations, seafarer unions, port agency and other stakeholders in the maritime industry.

Philippine Consul General Neil Frank Ferrer was invited as guest speaker for the event which was held at Canada Place in Waterfront known for being the center of maritime activity where cruise ships coming in and out of the famous English Bay dock at the adjacent Port Metro Vancouver.

In his remarks, Consul General Ferrer thanked the organizers for holding the event to recognize the important contribution of seafarers to shipping, international trade and the world economy. He noted that 90% of trade relies on shipping and that global commerce would come to complete halt if not for the hard work and sacrifices of seafarers.

For this year, the International Maritime Organization (IMO) decided that the focus of the Day of the Seafarer celebration would be on maritime education in order to increase awareness among younger people and to encourage them to pursue a fulfilling career at sea.

The Day of the Seafarer is an annual event recognized by the United Nations that was adopted in 2010 at the IMO Diplomatic Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) held in Manila, Philippines and presided over by Consul General Ferrer, who previously served as Chairman of the IMO’s Maritime Safety Committee. 

Aside from participating in the event at Canada Place marking the Day of the Seafarer, a team from the Philippine Consulate General led by Consul Rogelio Villanueva Jr. visited the cruise ship M/S Silver Shadow to greet the Filipino crew and register them for the overseas voting. END