Trade union and the Interclub responded to seafarer's unusual request

In the port of Novorossiysk, a Filipino seafarer  added to his collection of souvenir magnets without leaving his ship.

A crew member from the Hong Kong-flagged bulk carrier “Blue Balestier” made an unusual request to the representatives of the Southern Territorial Organization of the Seafarers' Union of Russia. Over the years Thomas Ricofrente has been collecting magnets from different countries he has visited.  This year, he hoped to continue this tradition, but the pandemic confused all his plans: when the ship headed for Novorossiysk, the crew were immediately warned that foreign seafarers would not be allowed a shore leave due to quarantine restrictions.

Then the seafarer came up with the idea to ask for assistance from the seafarers' union. “I understand that this may seem like a trifle, but for me it is very important, please advise how I can get souvenir magnets with symbols of your wonderful city,” the Filipino wrote to SUR.

Vitold Yatskevich, administrator of the International Seafarers' Center, delivered  gifts for the Filipino seafarer directly on board the bulk carrier. The seafarer was on watch  when the recognizable Interclub minibus pulled up to the berth. He sincerely thanked the union for the shown attention: “Thank you so much for fulfilling my little request, I hope next time I can get to know Novorossiysk better”.

SUR STO