World Maritime Day highlights history, piracy, the year of the Seafarer, Australian shipping, safety

The Maritime Union of Australia will commemorate World Maritime Day tomorrow (TUESDAY) in Sydney.

The Maritime Union of Australia National Secretary and President of the International Transport Workers' Federation Paddy Crumlin said the MUA would mark World Maritime Day this year by:

• celebrating 2010 as the Year of the Seafarer;
• urging the federal government to implement its shipping and seafaring revitalisation package;
• highlighting the worldwide campaign against piracy; and
• commemorating the 65th anniversary of union bans in support of Indonesian independence.

Mr Crumlin said it was also significant that the Australian Transport Safety Bureau would tomorrow (TUESDAY) release its report into the death of Trevor Moore on board the Karratha Spirit off Western Australia in 2008.

"This report is a timely reminder - on the very day that we celebrate World Maritime Day - that everyone in the maritime industry needs to be continually vigilant on safety issues," he said.

Mr Crumlin said the MUA would officially celebrate World Maritime Day with a march across Pyrmont Bridge in Sydney and a ceremony at the Anchor Memorial outside the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour.

Mr Crumlin said while World Maritime Day was a time to reflect on the progress of the industry in Australia, it was also a time to pay attention to issues such as piracy in the Asia Pacific region, and the development of the Federal Government's shipping policy.

The MUA will also mark the 65^th anniversary of the union bans on Dutch arms shipments to Indonesia during its independence struggle - bans that feature in two major films about the solidarity action.

Special guest Hanafi Rustanda, the Indonesian Seamen's Union/International Transport Workers' Federation Asia Pacific chair will address the gathering.

To view a trailer of one of these films "Indonesia Calling: Joris Ivens in Australia"go to: http://www.mua.org.au/

Program for World Maritime Day celebrations - Tuesday, September 28, 2010

12 midday: Assemble Pyrmont Bridge (Cityside)

12.30: Jazz band leads march across Pyrmont Bridge to the Anchor Memorial outside the Australian National Maritime Museum in Darling Harbour

Speakers include:

Mary-Louise Williams, Maritime Museum

Ian Bray, MUA

Paul McAleer, MUA

Hanafi Rustanda, Indonesian Seamen's Union/ITF Asia Pacific chair

Gary Yusuf, Consul General, Republic of Indonesia

Wreath laying

Food and refreshments

Media contacts: Justin Coomber 0457 833 896; Zoe Reynolds 0417 229 873.