THUNDER BAY — Thunder Bay's waterfront will be a noisy place to be near on Friday.
Close to a dozen ships visiting the port will all sound their horns at noon.
It's to recognize the challenges seafarers around the world are dealing with due to COVID-19 restrictions.
The Shipping Federation of Canada is promoting the event on behalf of the International Chamber of Shipping.
William Hryb of Thunder Bay Shipping Inc. says the masters of five vessels expected to be at anchorage, and another five or six in berths to be loaded, are all being asked to sound their horns at the same time.
Hryb said it's a way to put seafarers "front and centre" in the midst of the pandemic.
"They go through a lot of sacrifice. They're way from home three to eight months at a time. This is just a recognition of their service," he said.
Hryb said onboard conditions are safe, as shipowners have implemented stringent protocols to minimize the risk from COVID-19.
Only Transport Canada and Canadian Food Inspection Agency staff are permitted on board, and they don't go near the crew accommodations.
However, no crew members are allowed to disembark at any time except for medical emergencies.
Hryb said that in normal times, seafarers arriving in Thunder Bay would be free to go ashore.
"The Mission to Seafarers here helps these people. Crew members are taken shopping, or they go over to the Mission's trailer where they have WiFi and they can connect with their family at home. But in these times, they are really under restrictions."
He described Friday's event as an "extraordinary" way to show support for ship crews.
Hryb expects local tugboat operators will also participate.
