A Tribute on this International Day of the Seafarer
Oil on canvas. Circa childhood. My Mother recently found this painting from long ago that I had forgotten about. Possibly my only painting.
Today is the International Day of the Seafarer. In 2010, the International Maritime Organization (IMO), decided to designate June 25th as the International Day of the Seafarer as a way to recognize that almost everything that we use in our daily lives has been directly or indirectly affected by sea transport. The purpose of the day is to give thanks to seafarers for their contribution to the world economy and the civil society; and for the risks and personal costs they bear while on their jobs.
For thousands of years, seafarers have risked their lives to explore the world and its deep oceans, transport goods and people, provide relief to the afflicted, defend their homelands and the homelands of others, find food and resources, and improve living conditions. I can’t help but think of explorers like Sir Earnest Shackleton, the fishermen that Jesus called to be His disciples, Jacques Cousteau, Francis Drake, James Cook, Ferdinand Magellen, and the brave sailors who defended freedom in WWII. I also can’t help but think of the thousands of seafarers I have encountered over the last few years onboard an entire fleet of British cruise ships. Much like the seafarers of old, these men and women must also be away from their friends and families for extended periods of time and experience various hardships of their own as they work diligently to provide safe and comfortable cruising experiences for guests. They certainly share that same adventurous spirit with our ancestors as they too sail the Seven Seas.
What is it like to be a seafarer? First of all, most of them must be far away from their land-based homes for long periods of time. You typically will find that the crew of a ship is incredibly diverse with crew members from all over the world – different countries, languages, customs, cultures, food preferences, etc. It is essential, therefore, that seafarers be able to appreciate diversity and collaborate in an operational world with complex procedures and international requirements that can change depending upon where the ship is located. While seafarers must receive a requisite amount of rest, their jobs are much more demanding than typical land-based positions as the ship continues to operate 24/7. Crew members are highly trained and they are expected to perform at a high level of proficiency and demonstrate professionalism in all that they do. Officers must be able to lead fairly and communicate well. Seafarers are some of the most diligent, diverse, and capable employees you will find in the world. They are all incredible problem solvers. When you are in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean far from land, those skills are essential. There is a lot to be said about the strong “can-do” work ethic of seafarers.
When I am sailing onboard a British cruise ship, I usually attend the Captain’s Church service where we customarily sing the traditional British Royal Navy hymn, Eternal Father Strong to Save. It is my understanding that these services are modelled after Royal Navy worship services that can be dated back to Captain James Cook in the 18th Century. The powerful words of this hymn follow below as words of encouragement to all seafarers during these difficult times.
“Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm has bound the restless wave, Who bidd’st the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep; Oh hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea!
O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard And hushed their raging at Thy word, Who walkest on the foaming deep, And calm amidst its rage didst sleep; Hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea!
Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood Upon the chaos dark and rude, And bid it’s angry tumult cease, And give, for wild confusion, peace; Oh hear us when we cry to Thee, For those in peril on the sea!
Oh Trinity of love and power! Our brethren’s shield in dangerous hour; From rock and tempest, fire and foe, Protect them wheresoe’er they go; Thus evermore shall rise to Thee Glad hymns of praise from land and sea.”
May you all enjoy Fair Winds and Following Seas.
