London: The International Maritime Organization has issue a special end-2009 message to the world's 1.5m seafarers, pointing out that it has chosen to tag 2010 "Year of the Seafarer" in recognition of their vital service to the world's population of 6.5bn people.
"Our intention is to pay tribute to ... the unique, and all too often over-looked, contribution (seafarers) make to the wellbeing of all of us," said IMO secretary-general E.E. Mitropoulos in the message. He went on to explain that dedicating next year to seafarers was designed to show those at the 'sharp end' of shipping that regulators understand the extreme pressures that they face, and care for their safety, welfare and security - particularly in the face of piracy. The IMO is also trying to bolster its broad-based maritime recruitment campaign launched in November 2008 entitled "Go to Sea!". [28/12/09]
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