The ICSW was formed in 1981 and currently embraces 22 members. The membership brings together representatives of ship owners and seafarers as well as the various agencies providing welfare services to seafarers including both the voluntary agencies and those provided by government. The ILO also participates in the work of ICSW and attends meetings in an observer capacity.
ICSW maintains a permanent secretariat based in London, and the Committee normally meets at least twice each year. In addition, ICSW organises regular seminars or conferences dealing with all matters concerning seafarers’ welfare, and also organises sports activities for seafarers through the International Sports Committee for Seafarers, which is a standing sub-committee of the ICSW.
ICSW aims to co-ordinate at international level the various organisations involved in providing seafarers’ welfare facilities at sea and in port and regularly participates in ILO activities and meetings at which seafarers’ welfare is discussed, notably the ILO Tripartite Sub-Committee on Seafarers’ Welfare.
ICSW also aims to be a focal point for advice and information concerning the provision of welfare services. Any requests for such assistance should be directed to the secretariat, and these requests will be passed to those members of ICSW best placed to help.
In 1992, the International Sports Committee for Seafarers (ISS) was incorporated within the ICSW as a sub-committee. Co-ordinating and arranging sporting activities for seafarers on a global scale, the ISS is chaired by the Danish Government Seamen’s Service and includes the ITF, International Christian Maritime Association (ICMA), Norwegian Government Seamen’s Service and Association of International Seamen’s Clubs (Ukraine).
In 1995, the ITF Seafarers’ Trust provided financial assistance to enable the ICSW to set up an independent secretariat for the purpose of implementing its objectives. The three-year period of ITF funding expired in March 1999, when the ICSW moved to a membership fee-paying structure.
The ICSW has a rapidly growing membership comprising organizations from the following groups:
International Transport Workers’ Fe4deration.
International Shipping Federation.
International Christian Maritime Association.
Government maritime welfare agencies.
Other international welfare agencies, and such other agencies engaged in seafarers’ welfare activities as may be decided by the Committee.
A board of directors known as the Presidium, whose seven members represent the groups listed above, manages the ICSW. Additionally, the ILO and ITF Seafarers’ Trust attend all Presidium and Committee meetings as observers.
The ICSW achieves its objectives through:
Seminars on the implementation of the ILO instruments – historically in Yalta, Accra and Veracruz.
Half-yearly Newsletter – comprising articles of interest to all involved in seafarers’ welfare, gathered from multiple sources. This publication is also reproduced on the ICSW Web Site.
World-Wide Web – covering sports, news issues and projects: www.seafarerswelfare.org.
Projects.
ONGOING & COMPLETED PROJECTS INCLUDE:
International Sports of the Seven Seas:
Run by the International Sports Sub-Committee chaired by the Danish Government Seamen’s Service.
Full-time sports co-ordinator (Mr. Jorg Pfautsch)
Sports Weeks
International Leagues sponsored by ITF Seafarers’ Trust & INMARSAT (2003/2004)
ICSW Guidelines on Seafarers’ Welfare Convention No.163 and Recommendation 173 :
Completed in August 2000 and is available in English, French, Russian and Spanish.
4. Information Technology Project 2000:
- A Survey of IT Resources AT Seafarers’ Welfare Centres world-wide was completed in July 2000 and will form the basis of providing Internet access for seafarers at all centres.
5. International Directory of Port Welfare Services -
500 ports world-wide with upto 92 data entries per port – first edition completed in October 2000 now available online as the ISAN help line database at www.seafarerhelp.org.
An ongoing project to allow seafarers to take greater responsibility for certain aspects of their own health whilst at sea, through the provision of paper, web, CD and video information. It is anticipated that work will commence on the main programme shortly, and will involve liaison with a number of organizations in the field of maritime and occupational health.
Internet Access for seafarers at all centres world-wide:
This project is currently the subject of a feasibility study that will report in 2006 in preparation for a funding application to be presented to the ITF Seafarers’ Trust in 2006. It is anticipated that full implementation will commence in early to mid 2007.
Twinning Centres:
Personnel exchange between seafarers’ centres from various countries with the objective of sharing knowledge and experience. The initial phase is taking plaace as part of the CIS & Baltic States (CISB) work programme and may be extended to a long-term, world-wide programme.
D) Regional Seminars on the Implementation on the ILO Instruments:
ICSW Seminars are organized on a three to five-year ‘rolling’ programme, with venue and topics being determined by those working directly in the field of seafarers’ welfare. Any organization, centre, etc. may submit a proposal for an ICSW seminar for possible inclusion in the programme. Seminars are organized on a ‘sub-regional’ basis at intervals of approximately one year, involving all local organizations and bodies involved in the welfare of seafarers. Follow up work programme and objectives are developed at each seminar to leave a lasting tangible benefit in the region.
