Every year on the 25th of June, the IMO organises the Day of the Seafarer. This years’ theme: ‘I Am On Board With Gender Equality’. It is a day to highlight opportunities for women (as well as the contributions they are already making) in a wide range of maritime careers and professions. The focus will be very firmly on one aspect of that community – seafarers. TOS would like to take a moment to put our TOS employees, both men and women, in the spotlight. We appreciate all the hard work they do and their efforts worldwide to get the job done.
#IAmOnBoard
The 2019 campaign hashtag is # IAmOnBoard. You can use #IAmOnBoard to show your solidarity for gender equality in seafaring. IMO will create downloadable cards bearing the hashtag, the SDG 5 icon and the Day of the Seafarer logo. Please take a selfie or other photograph that includes the card and post it on social media with the hashtag #IAmOnBoard.
Seafarers: share your ideas!
If you could make just one change to achieve gender equality in seafaring, what would it be? Share your inspiring ideas on IMO’s virtual wall.


Background DotS
Day of the Seafarer (DotS) was established in a resolution adopted by the 2010 Diplomatic Conference in Manila to adopt the revised STCW Convention. Its stated purpose is to recognise the unique contribution made by seafarers from all over the world to international seaborne trade, the world economy and civil society as a whole. The resolution “encourages Governments, shipping organisations, companies, shipowners and all other parties concerned to duly and appropriately promote the Day of the Seafarer and take action to celebrate it meaningfully”.
Day of the Seafarer is recognised by the United Nations as an observance day.