What does a port welfare committee do?

• Act as a point of contact for seafarer welfare agencies;
• Facilitate a better-resourced and cohesive range of support services to seafarers;
• Liaise with the AMSA Committee and port stakeholders on seafarer welfare issues.

Guidelines for establishment of a port welfare committee

• Arrange an interim meeting of personnel from the widest representation of the local maritime industry, e.g. unions, AMSA and/or state marine authority, pilots, port authority, terminal operators, shipping agents, Customs / Immigration, Apostleship of the Sea, Mission to Seafarers, etc;
• Invite other interested parties, e.g. Police, politicians and civic leaders, church leaders, etc.;
• Invite representation from the AMSA Committee to address the interim PWC Meeting to explain its role;
• Discuss the role of a port welfare committee;
• Discuss the role of seafarer welfare organizations, e.g. AOS and MTS;
• Appoint Chairman, Secretary, etc;
• Set date and agenda for first PWC meeting.

For further guidelines on the implementation and management of port welfare committees, please read the following:

• PORT WELFARE COMMITTEES - A Practical Guide to their Implementation and Management