Day of the Seafarer Celebrated in Belize

Day of the Seafarer is a day sanctioned by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) dedicated to honor those who work on ships in various capacities and their invaluable service to the world. While the day is usually celebrated on June 25, authorities in Belize seized an opportunity today, with a cargo ship docked at the Port of Belize limited, to start the celebration early with the ship’s crew. A committee comprised of the Belize Port Authority, Ministry of Health and Wellness, Immigration Department and the International Merchant Marine Registry of Belize (IMMARBE), the Belize Coast Guard and others led the celebration.  Edmond Staine, Seafarers Manager at IMMARBE explained that the committee wanted to take the opportunity to thank the captain and crew for what they do for the country at large.

The 2023 Day of the Seafarer is being observed under the theme “MARPOL at 50 – Our commitment goes on”. The theme speaks to the 50th anniversary of the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships, which regulates the environmental footprint ships can leave as they traverse the seas.