CLIA Celebrates Day of the Seafarer

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Cruise Lines International Association

Jun 25, 2013, 10:00 ET

WASHINGTON, June 25, 2013 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) today, in recognition of today's Day of the Seafarer, underscored its commitment to seafarers worldwide for their instrumental role in delivering memorable vacation experiences to over 20 million cruise passengers annually.

"Today is a day to recognize the 1.5 million seafarers worldwide who support the well-being of the general public and cruise passengers," said CLIA President and CEO Christine Duffy. "We fully support our industry's extensive efforts to provide seafarers with safe, enjoyable and rewarding careers and have also advocated for more comprehensive rights and protections for them."

CLIA and its members strongly support the International Labour Organization's 2006 Maritime Labour Convention (MLC), which goes into effect in August of this year. Under the MLC, crewmembers enjoy specific rights related to all facets of employment, including wages, hours, medical care, annual and shore leave, and room and board. CLIA members many years ago implemented a Shipboard Workplace Code of Conduct Policy that addressed many of the elements now within the MLC. CLIA has also lent its support to efforts being led by the International Shipping Federation (ISF) to facilitate shore leave for seafarers via the International Maritime Organization.

The Cruise Industry Charitable Foundation (CICF), a charity funded by cruise line members of CLIA, has made numerous donations in the past year to seafarer-related organizations. Donations totaling over $65,000 have been given to groups including The Mariners' Museum, Apostleship of the Sea, Seamen's Church Institute, and Maritime Industries Academy.

The Day of the Seafarer is one of the annual United Nations Observances. It was first established in 2011 as a result of the June 2010 Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW), 1978, which adopted major revisions to the STCW Convention and Code.

About CLIA
Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) is the world's largest cruise industry trade association with representation in North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australasia. CLIA represents the interests of cruise lines, travel agents, port authorities and destinations, and various industry business partners before regulatory and legislative policy makers. CLIA is also engaged in travel agent training, research and marketing communications to promote the value and desirability of cruise holiday vacations with thousands of travel agency and travel agent members. CLIA's Associate Member and Executive Partner programs include the industry's leading providers of supplies and services that help cruise lines provide a safe, environmentally-friendly and enjoyable holiday vacation experience for millions of passengers every year. For more information on CLIA, the cruise industry, and CLIA-member cruise lines and travel agencies, visit www.cruising.org. CLIA can also be followed on the Cruise Lines International Association's Facebook and Twitter fan pages, and CEO Christine Duffy can be followed @CLIACEO and cruising.org/ceoblog.

SOURCE Cruise Lines International Association