PORT-ABLE SEAFARERS’ CLUB EQUALS PORT-ABLE FUN AND LAUGHTER
By Engr. Felix Pulmano
We are happy to announce that hundreds of seafarers, including the maritime welfare community and the missions, have overwhelmingly welcomed and supported the now-famous “port-able seafarers’ club”. The “Port-able” project in Rotterdam was launched in December 2002 at the International Seamen’s Center De Beer.
The cheerful results of the Port-able Seafarers’ Club can be summed up in two words: “fun and laughter”. What else can be expected from the frequent get-together of crews from all over the world? The regular event has quickly become talk-of-the-town, and for seafarers, there is the long-lasting impact of shared joy and well-being onboard and ashore.This port-able fun and laughter comes out naturally from the combination of many good things in the port-able package: karaoke singing and dancing, food fellowship, sports, health information campaigns, spiritual services, and cultural activities.
Just because seafarers are isolated from the mainstream of society doesn’t mean that they have lost their sense of humor. After attending the port-able seafarers’ club, many seafarers say they no longer do their daily heavy routine work with a long face. And who says that only Filipinos and other asian seafarers are fond of karaoke music and dancing?
Port-able seafarers club activities have brought about one simple but really gratifying and concrete result: Boom! Port-able fun and laughter! What makes this fun and laughter different from any other kind of good-time? First, it’s free and it doesn’t cost anything to the seafarers: no entrance ticket, no service charges for anything. Second, it’s not a coerced nor forced laughter but rather a spontaneous fun. When the provision of time, place, camaraderie, friendship and acceptance are met, port-able laughter will come out in the open in bursts, and it will flow, just like a pop corn spilling out from the cooker.
Port-able fun continues to enhance the commitment of the people behind the club. The laughter gives them the motivation and encouragement to reach out to the seafarers even in the most remote parts of the port. To them, the sight of seafarers laughing and smiling is enough reward.
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