June 25th is more than a date on the maritime calendar — it’s a moment to honour the heartbeat of our global industry: the seafarers who keep ships moving, guests safe, and ocean experiences unforgettable. At COLUMBIA blue, we proudly join the international maritime community in recognising the 2025 Day of the Seafarer, and this year’s vital theme, “My Harassment-Free Ship”.
Through our work as an integrated services platform focussed on cruise ships, superyachts, hospitality, and global maritime health, the team at COLUMBIA blue knows that safety isn’t just physical — it’s psychological and emotional, too. Every crew member deserves to live and work in an environment free from bullying, harassment, discrimination, and intimidation. Anything less is unacceptable.
A Culture Built on Respect
Our company was founded on values that don’t shift with trends — they guide every decision we make:
- Integrity, honesty, and ethical standards in every interaction.
- Respect, teamwork, and responsibility as the foundation of onboard life.
- Clear communication and confidentiality to foster trust and dignity across cultures and departments.
A harassment-free ship is not only a goal — it is a standard we uphold fleet-wide. Whether it’s a sumptuous superyacht or a 4,000-guest cruise ship, the culture we promote is one of mutual regard, professional excellence, and zero tolerance for any form of abuse or harassment.
Empowering Crew Through Training and Leadership
We understand that creating a respectful shipboard culture starts with leadership — and that leadership exists at all levels. Through our crew training and career advancement programmes, we don’t just teach technical skills. We train our team to:
- Recognise the signs of bullying and harassment.
- Intervene safely and appropriately.
- Support victims with discretion and compassion.
- Report violations with full protection and without fear of retaliation.
Leadership teams on board and ashore undergo continuous education on ethical management, multicultural sensitivity, and inclusive practices to ensure they model and reinforce the values we stand by.
Accountability and Transparency
Respect isn’t a passive value — it’s active. That’s why we’ve embedded accountability into our systems. Clear reporting channels, confidential grievance procedures, and non-retaliation protections are built into our company policies and reinforced through regular audits and feedback sessions.
Harassment and bullying should not be part of life at sea — they are violations of dignity and safety, and they have no place in our company or industry.
Celebrating the Seafarers Who Set the Standard
This Day of the Seafarer, we honour the dedication and resilience of maritime professionals around the world — and especially those in our global team — who make life at sea not just possible, but exceptional. From deckhands to stewards, engineers to chefs, nurses to captains: you are the lifeblood of our ships, and you deserve nothing less than a safe, respectful, and empowering environment.
COLUMBIA blue is proud to stand with the International Maritime Organization (IMO) and fellow maritime leaders in saying clearly: My Ship Is a Harassment-Free Ship.
We invite our industry peers, partners, and guests to join us in creating a sea culture that protects and uplifts. Because safety at sea isn’t just about lifeboats and drills — it’s about how we treat each other, every day.
To learn more about this year’s Day of the Seafarer and the IMO campaign, visit the IMO website.
