INTRODUCTION
An International Maritime Organisation (IMO) initiative, Nautilus International is working continuously to ensure the designation to 2010 as the Year of the Seafarer is 'more than just a nice slogan'.

Only if we see good progress on core issues such as job security, training, onboard shipping conditions, criminalisation, fatigue, shore leave and piracy, will the Year of the Seafarer be a significant one for maritime professionals.

REASON FOR CAMPAIGN
World trade could face further decline and shipping will face intense commercial pressures as the supply and demand balance is disturbed even further.

Warnings from the IMO and the International Shipping Federation have been issued about the need to maintain recruitment and training in the current climate, but it is clear that some shipowners continue to cut investment in crewing.

ACTION
The major task is to ensure that shipping companies continue to train the numbers needed to avert a major shortage of skilled seafarers when the upturn comes. The UK and Dutch governments in turn need to do more to encourage the employment and training of their nationals.

In a joint force with the IMO, we are pressing for:

• early ratification and enforcement of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006
• global adoption of the IMO/ILO guidelines for the fair treatment of seafarers following the newly ratified Code for the Investigation of Maritime Accidents
• a revised STCW (Standards of Training Certification & Watchkeeping) Convention that includes more effective controls against fatigue
• worldwide ratification and application of the international convention on seafarers' identity documents
• better protection against the threat of piracy and armed attacks on merchant ships

HOW YOU CAN HELP
If you're working in the maritime sector and not already a member of Nautilus International, join now by clicking here. Why should you become a member? Click here.