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Pontifical Council for the Pastoral Care of Migrants and Itinerant People People on the MoveN° 110, August 2009
"Sea Sunday" Message 2009
Maritime industry is one of the most essential activities in our society. Seafarers are responsible for bringing more than 90% of products from one part of the world to another, to satisfy our needs and make our life more comfortable. Yet, very seldom or not all, do we think about these men and women who often work for months and years on board of vessels moving goods. Many of us had very few opportunities to meet seafarers. Most modern ports are far away from the cities, the mechanization and fast turn around leave crew ship with little time to relax and to come ashore. Maybe this is one of the reasons why we call seafarers the invisible people. The romantic notion of a seafarer who would travel to see the world for free is no longer valid, with sea-faring becoming even more difficult than it always has been. Even though the vessels are now fitted with the latest technology to make them more secure and safe, the life of seafarers continues not to be a easy one. The recent global economic crisis has deeply affected the merchant fleet worldwide, with vessels sent to scrap, others lying at the anchorages in different ports. Crews are fired or abandoned by bankrupt owners and seafarers are willing to accept employment at lower wages and less benefits. Some unscrupulous vessels owners use the flag of convenience to avoid enforcing maritime standards of vessels seaworthiness and safety. Piracy is on the rise on many shipping routes, putting in danger not only the valuable cargo of vessels but more importantly the life of crew members who often suffer lasting psychological effects and leave their families traumatized. Moreover the criminalization of seafarers and the unfair treatment they receive, in the event of maritime accidents, is another hidden danger in their life. While we celebrate Sea Sunday we would like to express our sincere gratitude to the 1,200,000 seafarers of all nationalities on whom we depend for many of our daily needs, and also to fishers, port workers and their families. In this special day the Apostleship of the Sea, faithful to its mission of service and pastoral care of the people of the sea, would like to call for concrete actions that would bring improvements in to the maritime industry. We encourage Governments to recognize the importance and urgency of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 and the Work in Fishing Convention 2007 and to have them ratified so that seafarers and fishers may benefit from them. We plead for all the seafarers decent and productive work in conditions of freedom, equity, security and human dignity. We condemn piracy and call on the international community to adopt all the necessary measures not only to prevent this happening but also to provide care and support to crew members experiencing such an ordeal. We call on the respect of the environment and the implementation of legislations to avoid incidents that could put in danger and pollute valuable sea resources. Moreover we cannot forget the people at sea on board old, rusty and unseaworthy vessels that seek a way to better life by embarking themselves in treacherous and dangerous journeys that could end in tragedy. We ask Mary Star of the Sea to guide and sustain the work of our chaplains and volunteers in their continuous dedication to announce the Good News to all the creatures (Mark 16, 15), therefore also to those who are seafarers.
X Antonio Maria Vegliò President
X Agostino Marchetto Secretary
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