Smart honors Filipino seafarers in nationwide celebration, rolls out free Marino TextMate InfoSIMs

MANILA, Philippines - Wireless services leader Smart Communications, Inc. (Smart), through its Satellite Services arm, recently joined thousands in celebrating the 19th National Seafarer’s Day, a tribute to all Filipino mariners for all their valuable contributions to the country.

With the theme, “IMO Conventions: Effective Implementation,” this year’s event stresses the importance of maritime safety and security especially in protecting the welfare of seafarers. The annual celebration is led by the Maritime Industry Authority (MARINA) as well as the Apostleship of the Sea, a global ecumenical organization supporting seafarers.

As part of the celebration, Smart partnered with the Philippine Overseas Employment Administration (POEA) in distributing free Marino Textmate InfoSIMs to seafarers in the agency.

Moreover, Smart also coordinated with airport officials to give free Marino TextMate InfoSIMs to OFWs at the Ninoy Aquino International Airport who are about to be deployed overseas.

Using their free Marino TextMate InfoSIMs, seafarers abroad who are off-vessel on foreign ports, anchorages, or wherever there is a GSM signal may easily send text messages to their loved ones in the Philippines for only PHP2 per message. As an added service, they can get real-time news advisories and announcements from their manning agencies through the special InfoSIMS.

“With this strategic efforts to roll out free Marino TextMate InfoSIMs in POEA and NAIA, Smart equips outgoing Pinoy mariners with the means to connect to their loved ones and get important updates from their agencies. This connection goes a long way in giving our seafarers the inspiration and motivation despite the many challenges at work,” said Tina Z. Mariano, head of Smart’s Global Access group.

Smart Marino TextMate complements Smart Marino PhonePal, a prepaid satellite communications service that enables seafarers to make voice calls even at the middle of the sea, with the lowest call-home satellite rates at PHP18 per minute.

“With both of these services, Pinoy seafarers can stay close to their family wherever they are. Using Marino PhonePal, they have the peace of mind of being able to call their loved ones even if they are sailing the oceans, where there is no cellular coverage,” explained Mariano. “On the other hand, they could rely on Marino TextMate when they are docked in ports so they are able to send text messages at very affordable rates,” she added.

Aside from giving away free Marino TextMate SIMs at the POEA office, Smart Satellite Services also joined the National Seafarers’ Day parade from the Rajah Sulayman Park to the Ninoy Aquino Stadium in Manila, where thousands of maritime students, seafarers and representatives of manning agencies enjoyed a day of exciting activities, raffle and entertainment

Over 400,000 registered Filipino seafarers are deployed all over the world, comprising about a fourth of the global maritime fleet. They keep the national economy afloat, remitting to their loved ones over USD 2.7 billion in the first six months of the year.