Day of the Seafarer photo competition – winners announced!

The photo competition invited men and women working at sea to share photos of what a “Good day at sea” actually looks like, reflecting their experiences of a positive working environment.

The winning entry is a bold geometric composition, focusing on the deck of a ship and the blue ocean beneath. The overall effect is one of immediate visual drama but with clear underlying references to the swirling rhythms and patterns of life at sea and the solid dignity of the seafarer’s labour. It was submitted by Zay Yar Lin, a Master from Myanmar, and can be seen here  https://www.flickr.com/photos/imo-un/sets/72157698818292412 , along with other shortlisted entries.

The second place goes to Hanbo, a third mate from China and there are five third placed photos. Fifteen further images are highly commended.

A seafarer’s job can be rewarding and fulfilling, but it’s also a demanding job. The 2018 Day of the Seafarer campaign advocated for higher standards of welfare and invited shipping companies and others within the industry to show how they provide a good working environment for seafarers and thereby make a positive contribution to their wellbeing.

The result was more than 1,700 compelling entries from across the world, with submissions from seafarers of all ranks, from deck cadet to captain, spanning dozens of nationalities. They ranged from evocative seascapes, to depictions of onboard camaraderie, to the often long and arduous tempo of life at sea, from oily engine rooms to enclosed spaces.

Organized in conjunction with the International Seafarers' Welfare and Assistance Network (ISWAN), the photo competition was partly sponsored by The North American Maritime Ministry Association (NAMMA) together with IMO.

The winning seafarer-photographer receives a tablet computer and an action camera.