SOLOMON Islands is a nation of geographically scattered islands and the major means of transport between our various islands is boats and ships.
Around the globe, most trading activities occur by sea and this means our seafarers play an important role. Without the shipping services, there won’t be any economic activities.
And on these ships are people working aboard are known as seafarers.
The 2023 Seafarer Day was commemorated on Sunday June 25 based on the theme “Oceans Worth Protecting.”
It is an important theme as it underscores the significance of protecting our oceans, given the unsustainable environmental activities that are going on and are affecting our ocean.
However, for a moment let us also use the occassion to reflect on the important role played by our local seafarers and accordingly acknowledge them.
An event was held early this week in Honiara to recognise seafarers and their contributions to country’s nationhood.
A seafarer can be defined as literally being someone who is employed to serve aboard any type of marine vessel.
This usually refers to active seafaring workers, but can be used to describe a person with a long history of serving within this profession.
Duties include deck and accommodation patrols, steering the vessel, standing lookout and assisting the officer on watch.
They also moor and unmoor the vessel in ports, secure/unsecure cargo, as well as clean and maintain the deck.
So, these people are important in ensuring passengers and cargoes are safe when ships sail between our islands and to other countries.
These people have an important role in the economic activities of this country.
Most of them spend days, weeks and months out at sea to serve the country and provide a vital service.
Most of them do miss their families. However, because of their love for their profession, the nation and their families, they continue to faithfully serve.
During the COVID-19 era, most of our seafarers were affected and got sick as they had to move from one place to another despite of the pandemic. They were some of the most vulnerable in the country to catching the virus.
When the country went through the pandemic lockdown period and there was restriction of movement by vessels, most of the provincial urban centres and rural people were affected due to lack of food and other essential items like fuel.
And most of the seafarers risked their lives to move between our islands to deliver the much-needed food supplies, goods and cargoes to communities across our geographically-scattered island nation.
For that, let us acknowledge our seafarers for the sacrifice have made made during that period and moreover during the years up until now to ensure people continue to survive.
Our seafarers will continue to play an important role in our country and that is a fact that we ought to always acknowledge. Thank you seafarers!
