AMSA and Lighthouses of Australia Inc partner to celebrate World Maritime Day 2024

Australia is joining the world in celebrating World Maritime Day on Thursday, 26 September. This special day is organized by the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and focuses on this year’s theme: “Navigating the Future: Safety First!”

Celebrating 50 Years of SOLAS

2024 marks the 50th anniversary of an important international law called SOLAS (Safety of Life at Sea), which was created in 1974. This law sets safety rules for ships all over the world. The earliest safety rules began soon after the tragic sinking of the Titanic in 1912. The goal was to make sure ships were safer for everyone on board.

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Why Safety is Important

Mick Kinley, the CEO of the Australian Maritime Safety Authority (AMSA), shared why safety is still the most important issue in the maritime industry. “With 99% of Australia’s international trade carried by ships, we must support the seafarers who keep Australia’s trade moving and protect our environment from ship damage,” he said. This means the people who work on ships are key to keeping the country’s trade strong.

Mr. Kinley also emphasized that Australia works with other countries through the IMO to create better safety standards. These new safety standards use modern technologies to make shipping safer and more secure for everyone.

Lighthouses: A Symbol of Safety

This year, AMSA is partnering with Lighthouses of Australia Inc. to celebrate World Maritime Day. The president of Lighthouses of Australia, Ian Clifford, says lighthouses represent strength, resilience, and guidance. Even though we now have new technology, lighthouses are still important symbols of maritime safety. “Lighthouses still offer guidance, standing tall and steady as we enter new eras of maritime safety,” Mr. Clifford said.

Activities Across Australia

Many lighthouses and maritime sites across Australia will take part in activities to celebrate this day. Some of these include:

• Macquarie Lightstation in Sydney
• Flagstaff Point Lighthouse in Wollongong
• Port Kembla Maritime Centre and its pilot vessels Kestrel and Shearwater in NSW
• The South Solitary Lighthouse optic in Coffs Harbour
• The MV Cape Don, a historic lighthouse tender, in Sydney Harbour
• McCrae Lighthouse in Rosebud, Victoria
• Gellibrand Pile Light at Seaworks in Williamstown, Victoria

Each site will celebrate in its own way, from lighting up the lighthouses to hosting special events, all to honor the importance of maritime safety.