SAFETY4SEA announced the winners of the 2023 Crew Welfare Virtual Awards on Tuesday, June 20th, celebrating industry’s outstanding practices in favor of crew welfare and wellbeing.
The winners of the 2023 Crew Welfare Virtual Awards are:
Crew Welfare Tanker Operator Award
Winner
Columbia Shipmanagement (CSM)
For investing in crew training to create a loyal and happy workforce, and boost their morale and wellbeing. In 2022, CSM signed agreement with the Nautilus Pacific Maritime Training Centre, Manila to be the exclusive training center for its seafarers in the Philippines.
Mark O’Neil, President/CEO, Columbia Shipmanagement:
“I am extremely proud to receive this award. I fairly believe that the most important difference between a successful company and an unsuccessful company is the quality of its people. For us, nothing is more important than the welfare of our people in Columbia Shipmanagement and of the crew onboard in our vessels. That involves the training, the compensation package, the nutrition, and fitness.”
Crew Welfare Dry Bulk Operator Award
Winner
Synergy Marine Group
For focusing on welfare and diversity on its strategy. Among other initiatives, the company provides tailor-made Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) to female seafarers designed by textile engineers in conjunction with female seafarers and maritime safety experts to ensure comfort and versatility.
Capt. Anshul Rajvanshi, Managing Director, Synergy Maritime Recruitment Services Private Limited:
“’At Synergy we believe that our performance of our company depends on the performance of seafarers onboard. That can be good, only if ensure the wellbeing all of seafarers and keep them inspired to do better every day. The number of female seafarers and their role are growing. Good things are not happening by magic. Thanks to all for this award.”
Crew Welfare Crew Manager Award
Winner
Philippine Transmarine Carriers Inc.
For launching the project RISE (Resiliency Improvement Support and Education) with the aim to help enhance the overall level of resiliency and disaster response preparedness among communities in the Philippines.
Vivian Cristobal, Chief Operating Officer (COO), Philippine Transmarine Carriers:
“Project RISE which stands for Resiliency, Improvement, Support and Education for CFA communities, was born out of PTC’s commitment to empowering our global maritime professionals to not only move the world but to take care of themselves as well. This groundbreaking initiative offers a comprehensive and collaborative approach to disaster preparedness and community resilience. We have always supported our mission of promoting people, prosperity, and planet to move a sustainable world. Thank you.”
Crew Welfare Service Provider Award
Winner
GAC
For providing a vital lifeline for crew during challenging times. In particular, at the peak of COVID-19 pandemic, GAC leveraged its global network and expertise to provide vessel owners, operators and managers with tools, resources and knowledge to protect crew on board while complying with changing regulations.
Maria Angelidou, Group Marketing Manager, GAC:
“We all know how tough and demanding the life of seafarer is. Not only do they have the demands of the job, but they are also dealing with the stress of being away from their loved ones, tight deadlines, long working hours, poor sleep, quality, and fatigue after long periods at sea. Crew welfare has always been a priority for GAC, even more during COVID, when our maritime heroes were at their most vulnerable and in need of support.”
Crew Welfare Non-Profit Organisation Award
Winner
The Mission to Seafarers
For launching the ‘SafeTALK program’ which is a comprehensive suicide prevention program, being instrumental in promoting the welfare of seafarers, and training Port Chaplains and volunteers as Suicide Alert Helpers. The program includes a maritime-specific SafeTALK training course and workshops, providing comprehensive suicide prevention support to seafarers.
Reverend Canon Andrew Wright, Secretary General, The Mission to Seafarers:
“Seafarers are particularly vulnerable at sea, remote from the support networks that most of us take for granted. To have the tools enabling a proactive response to suicide prevention is transformational. I’m proud of this program and I’m glad it’s being recognized. I’m even more pleased about the increasing attention being given to this aspect of seafarer welfare. This is a tough subject, but it is everyone’s business and together we care.”
Crew Welfare Diversity & Inclusion Award
Winner
IMO-WISTA Maritime Speakers Bureau
For providing a platform with the intention to end the tradition of all-male speaking panels at international conferences. The platform offers opportunity to women in maritime to participate in panels and to event organizers the tools to make their panels more inclusive, diverse and interesting.
Kitack Lim, Secretary-General, IMO:
“I strongly believe that women need to be represented in maritime and share their experiences and expertise. This can best be achieved by insuring diverse and inclusive panels in conferences and events. That is why IMO together with WISTA International have launched the Speaker’s Bureau, promoting female speakers. There are many knowledgeable and experienced women out there and their contributions are invaluable in shaping a more diverse and inclusive maritime sector.”
Elpi Petraki, Secretary-General, IMO:
“It is very important to highlight this initiative from IMO and WISTA on bringing out in the spotlight women who are experts in their fields and are able to speak about their expertise. We would like to call all conference organizers to use the platform when they have difficulties in finding women for their panels and, in this way, play an important role in the visibility of women in maritime.”
Crew Welfare Personality Award
Winner
Marlon Roño, President and CEO, Magsaysay People Resource Corp.
For his overall contribution to promote the seafaring profession as a career of choice. Throughout his career, Marlon Roño has hold several key positions at Magsaysay Group of Companies and has been actively involved in various maritime and shipping industry initiatives in support of seafarers’ health, training & development and crew welfare in the Asia Pacific Region.
Marlon Roño, President and CEO, Magsaysay People Resource Corp.:
“Our organization decided to maintain the good learnings we had during the pandemic days and implement new ways and means of responding to the needs of the industry and most of all, our very important assets, our people. Today we maintain over 60,000 highly competent seafarers around the world who are responsible for keeping us strong and growing. This recognition is dedicated to them as well as to their loved ones.”
Crew Welfare Leadership Award
Winner
Capt. George Vasilakis, Managing Director, Optimum Ship Services Ltd
For his invaluable contribution to the maritime industry, supporting crew welfare throughout his career. Being a firm advocate for creating a culture of psychological safety, Capt Vasilakis has led various projects, trainings and initiatives that demonstrate genuine concern for the seafarers and their wellbeing.
Colin Gillespie, Director, Loss Prevention, NorthStandard:
“When George first told me about their wellbeing and mental health program, I was most impressed by three elements. The first was the perseverance and determination shown by George and his team. The second, was the willingness to try and see what worked and the third, and most important, is George’s humility and humanity. He really cares about his crew, and he really wanted this program to work.”
Capt. George Vasilakis, Managing Director, Optimum Ship Services Ltd:
“Creating a culture of psychological safety is not easy. It takes time and resources and a lot of effort. We have made good progress but there is a lot of room for improvement in many areas and we are still trying, therefore we cannot stop. We believe that happy and healthy people manage safer ships.”
About Crew Welfare Awards
Crew Welfare Awards are part of the Crew Welfare Week within the scope of fostering Crew Wellbeing & Sustainable Shipping. The process to be employed is a combination of open nomination and vote from audience and the industry panel of experts.. The award categories are:
Crew Welfare Tanker Operator Award
To be awarded to a ship operator of oil or chemical tankers, or gas carriers that demonstrated Initiative, Best Practices and Excellence and in any aspect of crew welfare
Crew Welfare Dry Bulk Operator Award
To be awarded to a ship operator of bulk carriers, or general dry cargo vessels that demonstrated Initiative, Best Practices and Excellence in any aspect of crew welfare
Crew Welfare Crew Manager Award
To be awarded to a crew management company that demonstrated Initiative, Best Practices and Excellence and in any aspect of crew welfare
Crew Welfare Service Provider Award
To be awarded to a service provider that delivered service which contributes towards improving crew welfare
Crew Welfare Non-Profit Organisation Award
To be awarded to a non-profit organization or association that planned, promoted and delivered any program fostering crew welfare with tangible results
Crew Welfare Diversity & Inclusion Award
To be awarded to an organization that planned/delivered a program or promoted in any way the Diversity & Inclusion agenda
Crew Welfare Personality Award
To be awarded to a Personality that provided industry influence and contributed towards moving the crew welfare agenda forward with tangible results
Crew Welfare Leadership Award
To be awarded to an Industry Figure that has provided leadership by steering their organization and/or the industry towards crew welfare excellence
Notification procedure is initiated few months ahead of the event with an open invitation to the industry stakeholders to propose nominations online via relevant form at dedicated awards page. Shortlisted nominees are announced within a week after nomination submission is concluded and open vote to declare the winner of each category is available for a period of three months through relevant application at dedicated awards page. Winners are announced at the award ceremony, during the Crew Welfare Week.