National Maritime Day

Some people might have begun to notice a theme about May and its holidays–and that is that many of them are centered on getting back out and into the world. With the warming sun and halting rains, should anyone be the least bit surprised?

Even so, while National Maritime Day is not necessarily about the ocean at large, it is more about those men and women who spend their lives working on and around it. This day specifically focuses on the safety, security, and all the little elements that make up the lives of those on the sea, as well as a little bit of remembrance for how much people have to thank them for.

History of National Maritime Day

A great way to start with this day is by understanding exactly what maritime is. To begin with, maritime transport and work has been important since the human race first put something that floats in the water and decided to use it to get somewhere or do something.

National Maritime Day commemorates the sea, the people of the sea, and the incredible effect it has had on the lives and well-being of humankind. Just to start with the most basic point about it, sea trade has been the largest carrier of cargo in the history of the world. In fact, even the land-bound parts of the Silk Road didn’t see as much cargo and trade-goods moving along it as the oceans and seas have.

Of course, when it comes to the sea, the wind is an ever-present companion, the water buoyant and the siren-call of days at sea are strong in everyone nearby. But the one thing that may be a bit of a weakness for water-transport  is the fact that items need to be delivered in a timely manner. While the system is and always has been fairly reliable, it certainly is not fast, at least not by today’s modern standards. 

So for those who know someone who has worked in the sea trade or still does, National Maritime Day is the perfect day to take a moment to thank them for all they have done, and let them tell stories about their time on the salty black seas.

How to Celebrate National Maritime Day

Make a Visit to the Coast

One perfect way to celebrate and honor this day is to get out to the oceans or seas by gaining access through the bays and the ports. Take a look at the ships coming and going, watch the boats going through the harbor, and perhaps even get up close to take a tour of one, if possible!

Take the time to go out and marvel at the ships and the huge dinosaur like cranes that hulk over the docks transporting cargo containers from shore to ship and ship to shore as they help make the world’s economy turn.

Check Out a Maritime Museum

While visiting a harbor or port, check to see if there is a Maritime museum nearby that can be easily accessed. These museums can offer a wealth of information that allows for learning about the sea and maritime issues. See what has been wrought and how things have changed over the years.

Learn about the regulations that people and boats have to follow and how maritime safety has been a constant and evolving concern–and still remains one of the most dangerous jobs in the world.

Some of the world’s most popular Maritime museums include:

• National Maritime Museum, London, United Kingdom. Also called the Greenwich Maritime Museum, this one has been open since the 1930s. 
• Sydney Maritime Museum, Sydney, Australia. This fairly modern museum has been working for more than 20 years. 
• San Diego Maritime Museum, California, USA. In addition to visiting, people can participate in recreational and educational courses throughout the year. 
• Kobe Maritime Museum, Kobe, Japan. Built on one of Japan’s most important ports, this museum integrates Japanese maritime history with the influence of modern technology. 

Read Some Books About Sea Life

National Maritime Day is the perfect time to get started on learning more about the lives of sailors and people of the sea. Traditionally, in the past the people living on the sea were mostly men, although some ships did allow women on board (or, in some cases, they snuck on board dressed as boys). 

Try reading some of these fictional stories of the men (and a few women) who have had sea-faring adventures:

• Moby Dick by Herman Melville. This classic piece of fiction was published in London in 1851 and hails the famous first line “Call me Ishmael”, one of the most recognizable lines in classic Western literature.
• Seafaring Women: Adventures of Pirate Queens, Female Stowaways, and Sailors’ Wives by David Cordingly. Chronicling the various numbers of women who went to sea, this non-fiction historical narrative is surprising and delightful.
• The Old Man and The Sea by Ernest Hemingway. Telling the battle of a Cuban fisherman against a marlin, this fictional short story was published in the US in 1952 and is well loved as it echoes the struggles of the human condition.
• Shōgun by James Clavell. The first of novels in this series, Shōgun is based on actual events encountered by and English Sailor whose ship was blown ashore in Japan around 1600, giving a unique Western perspective on life in the Orient at the time.

National Maritime Day isn’t a day for being inside, it’s a day for going out and exploring this important part of the world’s past, present, and future. National Maritime Day – To The Docks!