Day of the Seafarer2026 · Date · History · Messages · Quotes
STCW/CONF.2/DC/4
About Day of the Seafarer
The Day of the Seafarer is observed on 25 June to recognize the contribution seafarers make to international trade, the world economy and society, while drawing attention to the conditions and risks of life and work at sea.
The observance was established by the 2010 Manila Conference on the STCW Convention, first celebrated in 2011 and later formally endorsed by the IMO Assembly.
Why Day of the Seafarer matters
Seafarers keep global shipping operating across long distances and extended periods away from home. The day can therefore combine appreciation with informed attention to safety, training, welfare, fair treatment and the human realities behind maritime transport.
Useful observance avoids romanticizing hazardous work. It recognizes professional skill and service while directing labour, safety or welfare questions to applicable maritime rules, competent authorities and specialist organizations.
History of Day of the Seafarer
On 25 June 2010, the Manila Conference of Parties to the STCW Convention adopted Resolution 19, nominating 25 June of each year as the Day of the Seafarer.
IMO records state that the first Day of the Seafarer was celebrated on 25 June 2011. The date was selected because 25 June 2010 was the day the Manila Conference adopted major amendments to the STCW Convention and Code.
On 30 November 2011, the IMO Assembly adopted Resolution A.1033(27), formally establishing 25 June each year as the Day of the Seafarer and endorsing the observance at Assembly level.
How the observance developed
This timeline uses documented milestones from reviewed sources. Missing stages are left out rather than guessed.
IMO Year of the Seafarer
IMO’s 2010 Year of the Seafarer provided the immediate recognition campaign context in which the Manila Conference created a recurring annual Day of the Seafarer.
2010 Manila Conference of Parties to the STCW Convention
The Manila Conference itself adopted Resolution 19 nominating 25 June of each year as the Day of the Seafarer.
2010 Manila Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW)
2010 Manila Conference Resolution 19 — Day of the Seafarer
First documented observance
IMO records state that the Day of the Seafarer was first celebrated in 2011.
The IMO Assembly formally established 25 June each year as the Day of the Seafarer after recalling the 2010 Manila Conference decision and the successful first 2011 celebration.
International Maritime Organization Assembly, 27th session · IMO Assembly Resolution A.1033(27) — Day of the Seafarer
International Maritime Organization (IMO)
IMO continues the official annual Day of the Seafarer campaign and observance.
What the evidence establishes
Confirmed institutional roles and milestones are shown first. Details that could not be established from the reviewed sources are listed separately below.
2 fields not established in reviewed sources
Predecessor and precursor observances
Earlier or merged observances are kept separate from former names and later institutional actions.
Later institutional actions
Later recognition, renaming, mergers or date changes are kept separate from original establishment.
Also known as
International Day of the Seafarer
How to Observe Day of the Seafarer
Learn how seafarers support everyday supply chains and identify products whose transport depends on international shipping.
Use IMO or other competent maritime sources to learn about training, safety and welfare standards rather than relying on dramatic portrayals of life at sea.
Thank seafarers and maritime workers without sharing personal information, vessel movements or workplace details that should remain private.
Support reputable seafarer welfare organizations or port-based services that provide practical assistance to crews and families.
For employment, safety or rights concerns, consult applicable maritime authorities, unions, welfare services or qualified legal and professional sources.
Day of the Seafarer Facts
The Day of the Seafarer is observed on 25 June.
The 2010 Manila Conference established the annual observance through Resolution 19.
The first Day of the Seafarer was celebrated in 2011.
25 June marks the date on which the 2010 Manila Conference adopted major STCW amendments.
The IMO Assembly later adopted Resolution A.1033(27) on 30 November 2011.
Day of the Seafarer Messages
Today, may Day of the Seafarer turn a simple thank-you into lasting respect for the people and work being recognized.
May Day of the Seafarer bring thoughtful appreciation to work and contributions that are easy to overlook but important to communities.
Wishing everyone marking Day of the Seafarer a day of genuine recognition, respect and gratitude.
Day of the Seafarer Quotes
“Seafarers keep global trade flowing – delivering food, medicine, and vital goods around the world.”
Topic and context
What this page does not assume
- Keep the source-defined country, community, organizer or institutional scope; do not silently broaden it.
- Do not treat the title alone as proof of government recognition or public-holiday status.
- Do not add a creator, founding story or origin claim unless the supporting evidence establishes it.
Evidence & sources
Sources used across the guide are gathered here. Labels show how each source supports the page, and contextual references are kept separate from primary evidence.
International Maritime Organization — 2010 Manila Conference Resolution 19 (opens in a new tab)
International Maritime Organization — Assembly Resolution A.1033(27) (opens in a new tab)
International Maritime Organization — Assembly 27th session / Day of the Seafarer (opens in a new tab)
imo.org — authoritative source (opens in a new tab)
Understand it, compare it, then explore further
Start with the most common factual questions, then compare closely related observances and explore useful connections.
Frequently asked questions
When is Day of the Seafarer?
25 June The documented recurrence rule is: 25 June.
Does Day of the Seafarer fall on the same date every year?
Yes. It uses a fixed annual date unless stronger evidence changes the pattern.
Is Day of the Seafarer an official public holiday?
The reviewed sources verify it within this scope: International Maritime Organization observance. That recognition does not by itself make it a statutory public holiday; the site only makes public-holiday claims when reliable evidence explicitly does so.
Who established or recognizes Day of the Seafarer?
The reviewed sources identify 2010 Manila Conference of Parties to the International Convention on Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping for Seafarers (STCW) as the proclaiming or establishing body. The proposer or originator is recorded separately as 2010 Manila Conference of Parties to the STCW Convention. Current facilitation or coordination is recorded as International Maritime Organization (IMO).
Is Day of the Seafarer international or country-specific?
The documented scope is international or global: International Maritime Organization observance. That does not mean every country treats the date as a public holiday or observes it in the same way.
How is this page verified?
The factual information is checked against reviewed sources, including the date pattern, scope and institutional history. This page was checked on 2026-09-05.
When is the Day of the Seafarer?
It is observed every year on 25 June.
Who established the Day of the Seafarer?
The 2010 Manila Conference on the STCW Convention established the annual observance in Resolution 19; the IMO Assembly later formally endorsed and established it at Assembly level.
Why is it on 25 June?
The date marks 25 June 2010, when the Manila Conference adopted major amendments to the STCW Convention and Code.
Other observances on June 25
These observances are also listed on June 25, 2027.
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