Empowering Young Cadets for Maritime Excellence

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The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN) – South Asia is delighted to mark the remarkable success of its workshop titled “Setting Sail: Seafarers’ Awareness Session,” hosted in Chennai. This impactful event unfolded on August 24 at the premises of IMU Headquarters in Chennai, a collaborative effort between ISWAN and the esteemed Indian Maritime University – IMU in Chennai.

The workshop witnessed an impressive participation of 310 young cadets from renowned institutions such as Indian Maritime University (Chennai), Sri Venkateswara College of Engineering (SVCE), Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training (HIMT), Academy of Maritime Education and Training (AMET), and School of Seamanship and Nautical Science (SSNT) who attended the event in person. Additionally, 422 cadets from various institutions joined the workshop through our live stream, adding to the event’s reach and impact across maritime campuses.

The half-day workshop aimed to raise awareness among young seafarers about the challenges they may encounter while at sea and equip them with the tools to effectively address these challenges. This initiative was made possible through the unwavering support and collaboration with Indian Maritime University – IMU Chennai.

The event commenced with the esteemed presence of the Guest of Honour, Dr. Rajoo Balaji, Pro-Vice Chancellor, IMU. Dr. Balaji, a distinguished maritime professional, has been a guiding force in the industry. His insights have significantly enriched the workshop’s impact.

The workshop featured a lineup of distinguished speakers, including Capt. Vanamali Pardhasardhi, Nautical Surveyor-cum-Deputy Director General (Technical), MMD, Chennai. Capt. Pardhasardhi shared his perspectives on critical aspects of the maritime industry, contributing to the diverse and informative discussions.

This was followed by ISWAN’s informative SEAS (Seafarers Education and Awareness Session) presentation, delivered by Mr. Chirag Bahri, International Operations Manager at ISWAN). This enlightening session covered important topics such as the well-being of seafarers, dealing with piracy and maritime threats, best practices for recruitment and placement at sea, and fostering cultural adaptability and gender sensitivity. The presentation aimed to empower young job seekers with crucial insights to navigate the maritime industry confidently and responsibly, promoting their overall welfare and contributing to a more inclusive maritime community.

A significant focal point of the workshop was the unveiling of ISWAN’s educational videos, a compilation of resources tailored for young job seekers to safeguard them against fraudulent crewing activities and teach best practices. These informative videos are now accessible here – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCMKZWajeotjtjr1z3CXfYmg.

This workshop also included an insightful panel discussion on “Issues Around Recruitment and Placement Agents.” Moderated by the esteemed Capt. (Dr.) Suresh Bhardwaj, the Resident Director & Principal of MASSA Maritime Academy Chennai. The panel comprised notable industry experts, including Mr. Sanjeev S. Vakil, CEO of HIMT – Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training; Capt. Arvind Shankar, Culture and Capability Manager at Maersk; Capt. Tushar Pradhan, General Secretary of The Maritime Union of India; and Mr. Rahul Dwivedi, Fourth Engineer & ISWAN – South Asia Office Administrator. Our panel of experts delved into the prevailing employment-related issues faced by seafarers, alongside emerging trends in the industry. Their collective expertise illuminated critical aspects of the maritime domain, fostering insightful discussions that resonated with the young cadets and attendees.

Mr. Chirag Bahri, ISWAN’s International Operations Manager, expressed his gratitude, stating:
“We are very pleased to have been able to reach a large number of our future workforce who shall be joining the sea soon. In today’s challenging and changing time, pre-departure awareness among the young cadets and ratings to promote their health and wellbeing at sea is seen as a necessity and we would like to encourage all maritime training institutes across India and internationally, to consider organising such sessions for the cadets prior they embark on their journey at sea.”

The “Setting Sail: Seafarers’ Awareness Session” workshop is made possible through the generous support of esteemed sponsors including Maritime Training Trust, Campbell Shipping, HIMT – Hindustan Institute of Maritime Training, MASSA India, MSC Mediterranean Shipping Co, Fleet Management Limited, and ITF.

ISWAN – South Asia extends its heartfelt appreciation to all participants, supporters, collaborators, and especially our sponsors who contributed to the resounding success of the “Setting Sail: Seafarers’ Awareness Session” workshop in Chennai. The collaboration with Indian Maritime University – IMU Chennai played a pivotal role in the workshop’s success, adding to our commitment to maritime excellence.

Marex Media