MARITIME Safety Queensland is supporting an initiative at Gladstone Mission to Seafarers in packaging small gift pack essentials and treats for seafarers at this vital port.
MSQ general manager Angus Mitchell said the pandemic had had a significant personal impact on many international seafarers who were often the most vulnerable workers in our supply chain.
“Tight border restrictions in many countries, including Australia, means many seafarers will not step off their ships, potentially for months at a time,” Mr Mitchell said.
“Hence, they have limited opportunities to purchase personal supplies such as razors, soap and toothpaste; and equally, modicums of luxury such as snacks and magazines.
Additionally, many will have limited opportunities to contact their families. Something as simple as an Australian phone SIM gives them that ability.”
MSQ is supporting an initiative in Gladstone for those seafarers pulling into the multiple terminals at this port.
Mr Mitchell said he hoped seafarer welfare centres along the Queensland coast as well as other maritime related-industries and representative bodies came to support this initiative.
