Tk Foundation News

Lawhill provides secondary-school students in Grades 10 to 12 with a specialized education and knowledge that prepares them for entry into maritime and related industries. For more than two decades, the industry-funded program has greatly improved the post-school employment prospects of thousands of young South Africans, especially those from financially-disadvantaged backgrounds.A special event was held at Lawhill to commemorate the 25 year milestone and the retirement of long-standing maritime educators, Brian Ingpen and Captain Godfrey Schlemmer.

The winners of the Worldwide Ferry Safety Association’s (WFSA) Safe Affordable Ferry Competition, as determined by a panel of judges, have been announced by WFSA Executive Director Dr. Roberta Weisbrod. The requirements of this year’s competition were to design a safe and affordable RoPax ferry able to transport 185 passengers plus a crew of 15 and cargo carrying vehicles on a route linking five islands surrounding Indonesia’s Savu Sea. Taking home first place honors is the University of Strathclyde, which will earn a $5,000 prize for its Savutec ferry.

The Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Progamme (MPHRP) was launched during the height of maritime piracy to provide humanitarian support to the victims of piracy and their families. The programme received funding from several groups, funding which is set to expire at the end of March. The ITF's (International Transport Workers' Federation) Seafarers' Trust, one of the programme's core sponsors, has pledged to continue funding in a statement released today, but has called for the MPHRP to become part of an existing charity by the end of 2015, citing ISWAN as an example of an optimum home for the programme. Trust funding enabled the MPHRP to make a significant contribution to the welfare support of seafarers…

The Maritime Aquarium at Norwalk christened a larger, “greener” new research vessel on Friday, September 26 in preparation for launching a new era in examining, monitoring and teaching about Long Island Sound. The $2.7 million environmentally friendly research vessel, Spirit of the Sound, was christened and officially named during a ceremony at the Aquarium dock. Breaking a bottle on her hull was godmother of the boat, Astrid Heidenreich of Greenwich. The boat will reportedly be the first research vessel in the U.S. running on hybrid-electric propulsion.

Mercy Ships Maritime Training Center buys breathing apparatus with part of a US$225,750 grant from TK Foundation. Since 1978, Mercy Ships has used hospital ships to deliver world-class medical care to developing countries with limited available medical care. Providing safety training for crew is a high priority. The Basic Fire-Fighting (BFF) Coast Guard-approved course requires Mercy Ships to have 30 SCBA units. All technical and long-term crew members onboard the hospital ship must complete this course.

The TK Foundation has announced the approval of eight grants totalling nearly $2 million. The TK Foundation is a strong funding vehicle for maritime programs and youth development. Its maritime grant-making program is proactive, inviting maritime organizations to submit requests for funding in specific areas of interest to the Foundation. In keeping with its focus on supporting non-profit organizations and programs that improve the maritime realm, The TK Foundation has granted eight awards. The World Maritime University (WMU) is a centre of excellence for maritime education and research, operating under the auspices of the International Maritime Organization (IMO).

A program to help seafarers and families cope with the physical and mental trauma caused by torture and abuse at the hands of pirates launches today in London, England. Pirates are routinely using extreme brutality and the threat of death against seafarers and their relatives. The new Maritime Piracy Humanitarian Response Program (MPHRP) is intended to help those seafarers and their families cope with the resulting pain and anguish. Funded by the ITF (International Transport Workers’ Federation) Seafarers’ Trust charity and The TK Foundation, and chaired by Peter Swift, formerly MD of industry body INTERTANKO, the new program speaks for an alliance of shipowners…

The California Maritime Academy, a campus of California State University, is one step closer to having the most advanced training ship in the United States. The campus has been awarded a $215,000 dollar-for-dollar matching challenge grant from the TK Foundation. Every dollar donated in support of the Navigation Lab by a company, foundation or individual will be matched by the TK Foundation. The gift will support Phase 2 of the construction of a Navigation Lab onboard Cal Maritime’s Training Ship Golden Bear.