The International Seafarers’ Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), in collaboration with IMU’s Maritime Law Network (IMLAN) and Seafarers Legal Support (SeaLegS) – CPRiMeS, Indian Maritime University, successfully conducted a Seafarer Education Awareness Session (SEAS) to equip cadets with crucial knowledge for their careers at sea. The session welcomed 120 cadets and seafarers, including alumni and maritime industry professionals.
RAdm Amit Bose (Retd.), The Director of IMU Kolkata Campus, praised ISWAN’s initiative and the engaging delivery of the session, stating, “The initiative of the ISWAN Group to hold a session on seafarers’ welfare at IMU (Kolkata Campus) has been truly praiseworthy. The comprehensive coverage of various aspects related to the welfare of seafarers, and the interactive manner in which Ms. Suchita and Mr. Aditya conducted the session, had the entire audience captivated. The Q&A session was quite proactive, implying the positive impact the session had on the cadets and the quest for additional knowledge that it kindled in their minds. Kudos to Suchita, Aditya, as well as Mr Chirag Bahri, for taking this initiative. I wish their future endeavours great success, and may they be able to assist many more seafarers.”
Held at IMU Kolkata, the session focused on recruitment best practices, seafarers’ rights and responsibilities, and holistic well-being at sea. ISWAN’s Operations Coordinator (India), Suchita Gupta, delivered a comprehensive talk covering mental and physical health, best practices to follow in order to avoid fraudulent recruitment practices, the importance of being prepared for maritime piracy and threats at sea, cyber hygiene, cultural compatibility on board, addressing bullying and harassment, and the importance of allyship—ensuring young seafarers embark on their careers with the proper awareness and resources.
Participants engaged in interactive quizzes designed to test their knowledge about life at sea while making learning engaging and dynamic. A group of young sailing seafarers from Anglo-Eastern also attended, sharing real-life experiences and gaining further insights into life on board.
Chirag Bahri, International Operations Manager at ISWAN, emphasised the importance of early awareness in preparing young seafarers for the realities of life at sea. Reflecting on the session, he shared:
“It is an important initiative undertaken by ISWAN to raise awareness among our young future seafarers. It helps them understand the factors that impact their overall health and well-being at sea. The initiative also enables them to take steps to improve their relationships with fellow colleagues and with their families at home, even before embarking on their first sail. Early preparation helps them mitigate the challenges they may face in their shipping careers and ensures they can develop coping strategies to deal with crisis situations at sea. We are thankful to IMU, under the able leadership of Dr. (Mrs.) Malini Shankar, IAS (Retd.), Vice Chancellor, for their continued support in hosting such sessions on campus.”
ISWAN extends sincere gratitude to Indian Maritime University and RAdm Amit Bose (Retd.), Director, IMU Kolkata Campus, for facilitating this initiative, and to all cadets and seafarers who participated. With continued efforts, ISWAN remains committed to empowering the next generation of maritime professionals with the tools, guidance, and support they need for a safe and successful seafaring career.
If you would like to conduct such a session at your maritime academy, please reach out to ISWAN at seas@iswan.org.uk.
Marex Media