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Donations amounting to some $800,000 in total have been made to the Port Welfare Committee in 2009-10 to support the cause of the committee and in commemoration of 2010: Year of the Seafarer.
To mark this occasion, a cheque presentation ceremony cum drinks reception of the Port Welfare Committee was held this afternoon (April 16) at the Mariners' Club, Tsim Sha Tsui.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Chairman of the Port Welfare Committee, Mr Kenneth Koo, underlined the importance of port welfare to the maritime industry and seafarers who make globalisation a reality. In 2008, ships carried a total of 7.7 billion tonnes of cargo around the world. That is roughly equivalent to one tonne of cargo for each person in the world.
"Port welfare is a still largely anonymous behind-the-scenes effort that contributes greatly to Hong Kong's popularity as a world-class port," Mr Koo said.
"But for our seafarers, the people on the 'frontlines' and 'trenches' who make 'maritime' work, the care they receive from the chaplains of many different nationalities based in Hong Kong and other facilities enable them to at least call Hong Kong a 'home away from home'."
Mr Koo noted that Hong Kong as a shipping centre welcomed weary seafarers from all points of the world as they toiled to transport billions of tonnes of seaborne cargo around the world.
He thanked donors for their continued donations to the Port Welfare Committee and contributing greatly to Hong Kong's port welfare endeavours.
Among the guests attending the event were the Chairman of the General Committee of the Sailors' Home and Missions to Seamen, Mr Anthony Nightingale, and the Director of Marine, Mr Roger Tupper.
Mr Nightingale expressed gratitude to the Port Welfare Committee and the donors for their generous support in past years and the record amount of donations this year.
The Mission, through its average of 5,000 annual ship visits and more than 400 annual hospital visits, provides a strong support network for seafarers facing problems such as loneliness, danger and separation from partners and families.
"This generous donation is very helpful in enabling the Mission to continue its full range of activities," Mr Nightingale said.
The United Nations' International Maritime Organization (IMO) has designated 2010 as the Year of the Seafarer, giving the IMO and the international maritime community the opportunity to pay tribute to the world's seafarers for their unique contributions to society and in recognition of the risks they shoulder in the execution of their duties in an often hostile environment.
With secretariat support provided by the Marine Department, the Port Welfare Committee ensures that proper arrangements are made to safeguard the welfare of and provide recreational facilities for visiting seafarers of all nationalities. This is achieved by providing financial support to the Sailors' Home and Missions to Seamen, and the Danish Seamen's Church, Hong Kong.
Ends/Friday, April 16, 2010
Issued at HKT 17:28
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