August 2005
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August is a quiet month at IMO as the delegates enjoy a summer recess, and little can be achieved at the secretariat. However we have spent time redrafting the Guidance for the Fair Treatment of Seafarers which we have circulated to key delegates and also posted on our web site - http://www.ifsma.org/fairtreatment Another concept we are proposing to implement is an in-box on our web site that will receive reports from Shipmasters and Seafarers on unacceptable treatment they have received from authorities, inspectors and surveyors such as port state control officers. We have been hearing of ‘bullying’ type tactics being used, but we need to turn this anecdotal evidence into a history of actual records. This will enable us to raise the complaints formally to the correct authority. Some delegations have pro-actively instructed their officers to do their job professionally and not use unfair tactics. We would like to know what is really happening and hope that this concept will be used. The senders can remain totally anonymous. I am sure you will all share with the secretariat our sorrow at what has happened to the grand old port of New Orleans and the other gulf coast ports that suffered from Hurricane Katrina. Rodger MacDonald
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