The UK Maritime Minister, Nusrat Ghani MP, launched the inaugural Maritime Safety Week on Monday, running from 9 to 13 July, as part of the government’s efforts to share knowledge of safety practices and to highlight the work which is already being done across the diverse shipping industry to strive for safety excellence.

As an island nation the UK has always depended on the seafarers, shipping and the wider maritime industry for prosperity, but safety isn’t just a concern for professional mariners who undertake their roles in what are often difficult and dangerous circumstances.
All users of the maritime environment, from recreational mariners to casual beach goers, need to understand the risks,’ the Minister explained.

The UK Department for Transport is requesting the industry’s help and has established Maritime Safety Week to provide an opportunity to share the wealth of knowledge, experience and best practice which the industry has and to increase the understanding of what the sector is already doing to respond to the safety challenges it faces as well as plans for the future.
In particular, the Department of Transport is seeking to stimulate conversations and make connections under the banner of the Maritime Safety Week logo, you can join in the conversation on Twitter using the hashtags: #maritimesafetyweek and #maritimesafetymatters. The department is also welcoming ideas, plans and initiatives from industry using the email address maritimesafety@dft.gov.uk.

The initiative has been praised by several maritime experts across the industry, as a focal point to recognise the contributions and celebrate success in the area of safety.
This move comes at a time when new innovations and conditions, such as vessel automation, create different hazards, redefining the safety scope for the maritime industry.

Voyonic Crewing Limited as the driving force behind the employment of thousands of UK and other nationality seafarers fully supports any initiative that can help improve the Safety of Life at Sea.