Mariners Society, Kochi

Formation of Mariners Society at Kochi

The idea to observe and celebrate the 'Mariners Nite' was mooted by then stalwarts among the seafarers of Cochin in the year 1992. Seafarers of the region, in those days had no common fora to meet and share their experiences. Although Merchant Navy Club — officially known as Merchant Navy Officers and Seamen Association (MNOSA) in Willingdon Island — was there, it was controlled mostly by the Chairman of Cochin Port Trust, who was also the Chairman of MNOSA. The secretary of MNOSA was the Surveyor in-charge of MMD in his ex-officio capacity. The General Body of MNOSA had only the members of the Managing Committee, so both bodies were practically the same. Since representation of seafarers was limited to one, the interest of seafarers was not adequately protected, and MNOSA was not often frequented by them.

It was in this scenario that the need to bring all seafaring officers and their families onto one platform was felt by the stalwarts. Late Mr. P. L. D'Abreo and Mr. A. T. Joseph took initiative and the Mariner's Nite Committee was formed at Cochin — consisting of selfless and dedicated Masters and Chief Engineers. The first Mariner's Nite was celebrated at Hotel Taj Malabar on 4th April 1993. About 200 seafarers including families participated. This was the beginning of an annual event now in its 32nd year without a break. Each year, one senior Master and a Chief Engineer are honoured along with their families — a practice continued to this day.

Gradually other associations took shape. The Kerala Marine Forum was founded by Capt. P. Krishnan and functioned for a few years before an untimely demise. The Institute of Marine Engineers (Cochin Branch) has been active since 1975, regularly conducting seminars and workshops. INSEMTANK was the first major seminar, and COMARSEM 95 was international in nature and a resounding success. CMMI commenced activities in Cochin in 1993; later the Nautical Institute started functioning here, followed by the Marine Officers Cricket Club (MOCC).

Eventually, a thought came to the minds of seafarers at Kochi: a registered umbrella organisation should be formed covering CMMI, IMEI, NI, MOCC and Mariners Nite. The result was the Mariners Society, registered under the Travancore Cochin Literary Scientific and Charitable Societies Registration Act 1955, Register No. EKM/TC/179/2016. Registered address: Quarter Deck, Merchant Navy Club, Willingdon Island, Kochi 682009. This society functions in tandem with like-minded associations in Trichur, Palakkad, Calicut and elsewhere in Kerala.

Compiled by Shri. V. V. Paul, Dr. K. A. Simon & Shri. A. R. Bhaskaran