The NEEDS:

PROVIDE EDUCATIONAL BENEFITS AND OPPORTUNITES FOR ALL CHILDREN TO BECOME "MARITIME PROFESSIONALS".

INCREASE THE AWARENESS OF SEAFARERS, SHIPPING AND THE MARITIME COMMUNITY, TO THE NON-MARITIME COMMUNITY, WITH AN IMMEDIATE FOCUS ON YOUNG BOYS AND GIRLS.

The Non-Maritime Community needs to learn how dependent their current and future quality of life is on Seafarers, Shipping and the Maritime Community. Higher levels of "AWARENESS" by the general public will increase the effectiveness of the work of the IMO and everyone in the Maritime Community. This knowledge needs to continue to increase with every generation. Although it can be very difficult, time consuming and expensive, it is critically important to increase the "awareness" of our Children. The participation of women in the Maritime Community has increased in recent years, but the percentage of women currently participating in Shipping is extremely low. Focusing programs for all Children, starting at age 10, will expand our potential to bring more of the best and brightest young men and young women into an ever-expanding range of challenging and rewarding Maritime and Maritime related careers that will create the leaders who will develop future Maritime Policies.

A SOLUTION: "FREE Adopt A Ship" program.

The "Adopt A Ship" program is a FREE, useful, sustainable, enjoyable and well-developed "tool" that can help begin the process of increasing the Children's "awareness" of Seafarers, Shipping and the Maritime Community, and the very important role they play in the quality of life for everyone on the planet. This can help increase the number of countries where Seafarers, and other "Maritime Professionals", are recognized as "Essential Workers".

History: The "Adopt a Ship" Program was initiated by the Cyprus Shipping Chamber, (CSC), and the Cyprus Maritime Environmental Protection Association, (CYMEPA), in 2006 to bring together the Elementary Schools and Seafarers on board ships operated by CSC Members. Enclosed is a link to a 4-minute film from the CSC, which explains their Adopt A Ship program. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jwdbamNKOoo The program expanded into the Philippines, Poland, India and Greece in 2017. More than 80 ships participated in the Cyprus program, and more than 50 ships participated in the Poland program, in 2019. More than 35,000 Children participated globally in 2019. Adopt A Ship and AaSOS programs for elementary school Children in India have already resumed. They will expand in India and in the Philippines as soon as elementary schools resume in-classroom learning. Facebook: "Adopt A Ship International" has photos, videos and PowerPoints of Adopt A Ship events. "Adopt a Ship" www.adoptaship.org has been praised by a United Nations Working Group, IMO Secretary General, CSC, Cyprus Government, InterManager, The Nautical Institute, Maritime Awareness Program Society, (MAPS), IWSF, and many others.

HOW the basic "Adopt A Ship program" operates.

Versions of the Adopt A Ship program vary from country to country. The basic program consists of:

1. A senior officer (usually the Captain) onboard a ship exchanging a short email message with an elementary school classroom, orphanage or shelter once a week.
2. The Children are given a 2x3 meter world map with sea lanes that they use to track the movement of that ship.

Options:

1. "Pre-test and Survey" and "10 week test"
   1. The Children are given a "pre-test and Survey" consisting a world map with the outline of the oceans and continents, with no names of the test map and some basic statements about Maritime Awareness.
   2. The Children (via their Teacher or the administrator of their shelter), ask the ship 2 or 3 questions a week.
   3. At the end of 10 weeks, the Children are given the same test/survey they were given prior to the start of the program.
      (Details of the very positive test and survey results are available for review on request).
2. "Children visit Shipping Companies participating"
   1. At the end of the school year, or on an agreed date, the Children visit some of the Shipping Companies participating in the program.
   2. Children may be allowed, when properly supervised, to use some of the training facilities, (simulators, etc.)
   3. Children are shown equipment used onboard and models of ships
   4. Children are shown films from the IMO, ICS, MAPS, MEPAs, and other sources.
   5. This is sometimes followed by a "Q & A" session and/or a Test.
3. Executives from participating organizations, and sometimes Seafarers who have participated onboard, visit the schools or shelters that participated.
4. "Skype", (or some other type of ship-shore communication), may happen once or twice a year, between the ship and the classroom/shelter.
5. "Certificates" are given to the Seafarers who participate on board, Shipping Companies that participate, and to Teachers/Administrators who participate in schools/shelters.
6. Worldwide rights have been secured for schools, orphanages, and shelters who participate in "Adopt A Ship" programs to print a 2x3 meter world map with sea lanes. This digital version allows logos of participating companies and organizations to be included. Sometimes, pictures of ships can also be added at the bottom of the map.
7. We hope you will participate in Adopt A Ship and Adopt A Ship Orphanages and Shelters "AaSOS" in 2022.
8. Contact; George Hoyt, FNI, IMO Goodwill Maritime Ambassador, Adopt A Ship International, Global Coordinator, g.hoyt@adoptaship.org india@adoptaship.org info@adoptaship.org Facebook: Adopt A Ship International