The shipping industry depends on the seafarers that crew the ships of the world’s commercial fleets. The welfare of those seafarers is a major factor in the safe working and operation of the industry. However, until early last decade, there had been little in the way of a coordinated national approach to this vital human aspect.
The Maritime Labour Convention 2006 (MLC) requires establishment of welfare boards at the port, regional and national level.
In Australia, we have established the Australian Seafarers’ Welfare Council (ASWC) to ensure the adequacy of existing welfare facilities and to assist in coordination of port/regional welfare committees.
The ASWC's vision is for appropriate welfare services for seafarers visiting Australian ports. The ASWC consists of representatives from: