April 5 of every year is celebrated as National Maritime Day in India.
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This commemorates the voyage of the first Indian Ship “S.S. Loyalty” from Mumbai to London on 5 April 1919.
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The celebrations continue for one week and this is known as National Maritime Week.
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National Welfare Board for Seafarers recommended at its Third Meeting held at Madras on 11th January, 1964 that the 5th April every year be celebrated as the National Maritime Day.
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2010 marks the 47th National Maritime Week.
National Welfare Board for Seafarers
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National Welfare Board for Seafarers is a statutory body constituted under the Merchant Shipping Act, 1958, under the Chairmanship of the Union Minister of Transport, Govt. of India.
Seafaring:
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Seafaring is also known as Seamanship. It involves various topics and development of specialised skills in the art of operating a ship or boat such as navigation and international maritime law, weather forecasting and meteorology, watch standing, ship handling, deck operations, communications, handling dangerous cargo and fire fighting an much more.
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International Maritime Organisation (IMO) (Established 1959, Hq. London, Current head:Efthimios E. Mitropoulos) has declared 2010 as the "Year of the Seafarer".
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In tune with this , the theme of the 47th National Maritime Week is “Seafaring – A Career of Opportunities”.
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National maritime day celebrations are held at all major ports viz. Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai, Goa, Visakhapatnam and Cochin and certain other ports like Kandla, Jamnagar, Paradip, Mangalore, Tuticorin, Karwar, etc.
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It includes laying of wreath at Seamen’s Memorials and pay tributes homage to seamen who laid down their lives while on high seas in 1st and 2nd world wars.
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On Merchant Navy Flag Day at New Delhi 1st Merchant Navy Flag is pinned on the wearing apparel of the Prime Minister of India by the Minister for Shipping.
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This practice has been prevalent from 2002 onwards. At the State level on Merchant Navy Flag Day the first Miniature Merchant Navy Flag is pinned on the wearing apparel of the Governor of Maharashtra by the Director General of Shipping in Mumbai.
(with inputs from PIB)