SOS Vice President Mohamad Abu Bakar was joined by representatives from National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), Singapore Port Workers’ Union (SPWU), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) and Mission to Seafarers to personally deliver care packs to 18 vessels at the PSA Pasir Panjang Terminal.
Each care pack is printed with a message: “Thank You For Keeping Maritime Singapore Going #MaritimeSGSteadyLah”. And it contained sanitiser, masks, tonics and vitamins, non-perishable food and drinks as well as toiletries.
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During this pandemic, seafarers have been working tirelessly to keep Singapore ports open and cargoes flowing. To show appreciation to the seafarers and to care for their mental and physical well-being, a day was dedicated to presenting care packs to crew members of vessels berthed at the PSA Pasir Panjang Terminal.
On 22 July 2020, SOS Vice President Mohamad Abu Bakar was among representatives from National Trades Union Congress (NTUC), Singapore Port Workers’ Union (SPWU), Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA), Singapore Maritime Officers’ Union (SMOU) and Mission to Seafarers, who walked the docks of Pasir Panjang and personally delivered care packs with the message – “Thank You For Keeping Maritime Singapore Going #MaritimeSGSteadyLah”, to a total of 18 vessels. The care packs contained sanitiser, masks, tonics and vitamins, non-perishable food and drinks, and toiletries.
Mr Mohamad was impressed with the safe and efficient way in which PSA arranged the care pack presentations. “As a former seafarer myself, I am aware as to how dangerous it can be to work and move around the port. I have personally witnessed a few accidents, near-misses, and even fatalities back in my days of seafaring. That is why I can appreciate the meticulous and conscious efforts made by PSA to keep the ground safe for the visitors.”
Mr Mohamad observed how the port safety officers and crane operators worked hand-in-hand to stop what they were doing, when the visitors were near. Work continued once everyone was outside the premises.
