The Tristar Group's annual 'Safety at Sea' conference witnessed the active participation of over 200 government officials, diplomats, maritime industry leaders, and professional sailors in Dubai, along with virtual attendance from nearly 500 seafarers worldwide. Senior representatives from the UAE, Indian, and Philippines governments, as well as global experts in marine safety and welfare, addressed the event. Real-time online participation was facilitated from crew bases in the UAE, Oman, Philippines, India, and Myanmar, and from numerous Tristar vessels operating globally.
Eugene Mayne, Tristar's Group CEO, who initiated this event in 2019 following the tragic suicides of two company sailors at sea, has transformed it into a regional platform that influences opinions and actions regarding seafarers' mental health. In his welcome address, Mayne outlined preventive measures, emphasizing the importance of seeking and offering help. 'Communicating about our own stress or sadness is not a crime. Reporting it when we see it in someone else is a virtue. Being able to help someone who is struggling is a gift,' he stated, urging heightened attention, consideration, and compassion within the industry.
Mayne also appealed metaphorically, comparing a lighthouse to a guide through scary, rough, or unknown waters, offering shelter, respite, and comfort. 'Be a lighthouse to your colleagues at sea, or to someone sailing alongside you,' he urged. Mayne and subsequent speakers equated mental wellness with tangible maritime safety measures. Marford Angeles, the Philippines Consul General in Dubai, directly appealed to Filipino seafarers participating remotely: 'I call on my compatriots in every vessel to be a beacon of light. We are responsible for our brother, wherever we are, and whether we are seafarers or not.'
Satish Kumar Sivan, Consul General of India in Dubai, discussed India's 10% share of the global maritime workforce, currently ranked third, and highlighted major initiatives like SAGAR (Security and Growth for All in the Region) focusing on maritime security and international cooperation. Capt. Abdulla Darwish Al Hayyas, Director of Maritime Transport Affairs at the UAE Ministry of Energy and Infrastructure, endorsed key event themes on leadership, trust-building, and safety rules. He praised Tristar for spearheading the open dialogue on seafarers' mental health and thanked organizers and participants for striving for progress. 'It is a rare opportunity for seafarers to engage in direct dialogue with senior officials ashore responsible for their well-being,' he noted.
Tim Coffin, CEO of Tristar's Maritime Logistics division, emphasized caution and prevention as crucial safety measures. 'Nearly all incidents leading to fatalities and serious injuries are preventable,' he explained. 'Apart from the significant industrial and financial costs of these avoidable events, the impact on individual seafarers, their families, and shipmates is devastating.' Coffin outlined numerous measures Tristar has implemented since the event's inception. 'Our colleagues and partners will continue to collaborate and take practical steps to alleviate this unnecessary burden on society,' he said. 'Safety at Sea is about taking action to save lives.' The distinguished speaker lineup also included Capt. Karen Davis, Managing Director, OCIMF; Stuart Edmonston, Safety & Risk Management Director, UK P&I Club; Dr Grahaeme Henderson OBE, President of the Conference and Chair of Together in Safety; and Eng. Octavio Rangel, Head of the Panama Maritime Regional Office, Dubai.
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