The Port Authority of NSW, Port of Newcastle and NSW Ports have come together and tipped in a combined $2.5-million for a new Seafarer Welfare Fund operating across major seaports in New South Wales.
The initiative is a first for Australia and the inaugural five-year funding commitment has been awarded to five organisations responsible for administering welfare services to seafarers visiting New South Wales.
Port Authority CEO Phil Holliday, NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas and Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody announced the round-one recipients at the Mission to Seafarers’ annual luncheon at NSW Parliament last week.
The organisations in line to receive funding through the new programme are Stella Maris, MtS Port Kembla, MtS Sydney, MtS Newcastle and mental health and wellbeing service Hunterlink.
Phil Holliday from the Port Authority explained that NSW is the only state to have pursued a coordinated and integrated approach to delivering welfare services to visiting crews and to make sure they receive vital support services from charities and welfare providers with proven track records.
“Standing here today alongside my colleagues from Port of Newcastle and NSW Ports I am incredibly proud to be part of an industry that here in New South Wales, acknowledges what seafarers contribute, every day of the year, to the NSW economy and the lives of everyday Australians,” he told the guests of the Mission to Seafarers’ luncheon.
“Seafarers work in one of the world’s toughest jobs to bring us the goods we need and to take our exports to the world. We all recognised that by working strategically together through a five-year commitment, we can ensure the care Seafarers receive when visiting NSW is world-class.”
NSW Ports CEO Marika Calfas said the new fund would enable seafarer welfare organisations to continue and expand their support offerings and provide greater certainty of ongoing funding.
“Seafarers have an essential role in transporting goods to and from our island nation, often in difficult conditions and away from family for long periods,” Ms Calfas said.
“Supporting them when they are on our shores is our way of showing them that we care about their wellbeing and appreciate them.
“We are proud to be able to join with our colleagues at Port Authority of NSW and Port of Newcastle to fund initiatives to look after seafarer wellbeing when visiting NSW.”
And Port of Newcastle CEO Craig Carmody said the state could “hold its head high” knowing it takes care of its visiting seafarers.
“Seafarers’ needs range from fast access to emergency care to practical support such as access to communication facilities, transportation to and from the ports, hospital visits and sometimes one on one counselling,” Mr Carmody said.
“By joining forces, we have created an efficient funding model where the maritime industry supports its own, which we hope will grow over the years to include contributions from many others.
“It is an efficient model that can sustain or improve key logistical services to seafarers by proven providers, ranging from communication support to transportation and recreation, assessed against clear criteria that demonstrates the positive wellbeing and mental health outcomes for seafarers.”