The Port Authority of the Bay of Cadiz today held the event “Volunteering at Sea: Commitment and Service”, an event organized jointly with Mercy Ships to publicize the humanitarian work carried out by this international organization and to highlight the role of volunteering in the maritime field.
The meeting was opened by the president of the Port Authority of the Bay of Cádiz, Teófila Martínez. Following her remarks, Gerardo Vangioni, president in Spain of Ships of Hope, spoke about the work the organization carries out through its hospital ships, providing healthcare and training in resource-poor countries, especially in sub-Saharan Africa.
The day concluded with the roundtable discussion “Volunteering at Sea: Challenges, Impact, and Future.” This session brought together representatives from organizations dedicated to the well-being of seafarers. Valeria Vásquez, a volunteer with Mercy Ships, shared her firsthand experience aboard a hospital ship in Madagascar and discussed the human impact of volunteering in the maritime environment. Ricardo Rodríguez-Martos, director of the Stella Maris – Apostleship of the Sea Department, also participated. Stella Maris is an internationally recognized organization that provides support and assistance to seafarers and maritime workers, offering a perspective focused on the social, human, and solidarity-based dimensions of the maritime sector. Pedro Esteban, an ITF inspector in Algeciras, completed the panel, addressing the role of defending labor rights and working conditions in the maritime sector. The session was moderated by Kate Bonner, Commercial Director of the Port Authority of the Bay of Cádiz.
With this event, the Port Authority of the Bay of Cádiz reinforces its commitment to social responsibility and cooperation, highlighting the value of volunteering and the work of entities such as Mercy Ships and Stella Maris, which contribute decisively to the support and well-being of people linked to the sea.
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