World Maritime Day Today

Today we celebrate IMO's World Maritime Day.

This year is special given the goal of this day today in attracting public, private, and government attention to promote anti-piracy coordination and cooperation procedures between and among States, regions, organisations and industry.

To mark this occasion, piracy will be the focus of this year’s North American World Maritime Day Observance being held in Tampa, Florida on October 27th followed by a US Coast Guard Missions conference on October 28th which will feature panel discussions on the stewardship, safety and security missions of the Coast Guard. Both events will be held at the Marriott Waterside in Tampa and are free and open to the public. North American regional representatives from industry, government and NGO’s will dialog on these critically important regional issues. The events directly follow the USCG Flag Officer’s conference and Innovation Expo. For information on attending this event, you may wish to contact r.lambert@namepa.net.

I also invite you to remember all seafarers -- men and women -- serving our industry at sea and especially those who are being held hostage by pirates off east Africa and elsewhere.

With my very best regards to all, Michelle Otero Valdés. You may reach me at miamipandi@comcast.net or motero@houckanderson.com.

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