Waves #1 - 2023

WAVES

No. 1 • 2023 • Vol. 10

Published by: The Danish Mission to Seafares

Havnepladsen 1, 7100 Vejle

Tlf. +45 3393 2543 www.somandsmissionen.dk

Executive Editor: General secretary, Nicolaj Wibe

Editor:

Hanne Baltzer, tlf. +45 - 2288 4496

Mail: hab@somandsmissionen.dk

Print run: 4500

Waves is printed on eco-friendly paper.

Yearly subscription: 200 Dkr.

Layout and print:

Jørn Thomsen Elbo A/S

Cover: Nice to talk with a friend. Aasiaat/Greenland (Photo: Hanne Baltzer)

WAVES

Nr. 1 • 2023 • 10. årgang

Udgives af:

Indenlandsk Sømandsmission

Havnepladsen 1, 7100 Vejle

Tlf. +45 3393 2543 www.somandsmissionen.dk

Ansvh. redaktør: Generalsekretær, Nicolaj Wibe

Redaktør og journalist:

Hanne Baltzer, tlf. +45 - 2288 4496

Mail: hab@somandsmissionen.dk

Oplag: 4500

Waves er trykt på miljøvenligt papir.

Årsabonnement: 200 Dkr.

Layout og tryk:

Jørn Thomsen Elbo A/S

Forside:

Godt at møde en ven. Sømandsmissionær møder sømand. Aasiaat/Grønland.

(foto: Hanne Baltzer)

MIKAEL JARNVIG:

Despite climate change, the size of the waves hasn’t changed

Cloudbursts, intense rainfall and floodings are not phenomena to be worried about at sea. “The maritime world has no reason to fear that climate change will affect its operations significantly. The many changes in our climate are primarily a problem on land, and it is especially the poor regi-

According to meteorologist Michael Jarnvig, today’s climate changes won’t affect life at sea significantly.

Meteorolog Mikael Jarnvig mener, at klimaforandringer ikke ændrer væsentligt ved livet til søs.

MIKAEL JARNVIG:

ons of the world that get affected - places where the water- and food supplies are vulnerable. Also, extreme draughts lead to large destructive wildfires and cost human lives.” These are the words of meteorologist Mikael Jarnvig, who is convinced that the current climate changes won’t affect the maritime sector significantly in the near future.

Draughts

Jarnvig emphasizes that the WMO (World Meteorological Organization) has assessed that the number of weather-related disasters has increased five times in the last 50 years. For instance, the number of draughts and floodings has grown significantly, and the recent flooding in Pakistan last fall is just one of many fatal examples. People on land will inevitable be affected by the consequences of

Trods klimaforandringer har bølgerne den højde, de altid har haft

Skybrud, tørke, intens nedbør og oversvømmelser behøver ikke bekymre til søs. ”De søfarende behøver ikke frygte, at klimaforandringerne skal påvirke deres sejlads betydeligt. Det er typisk i land, de mange klimaforandringer rammer, og især i den fattigste del af verden, hvor der er ringe vand- og fødevaresikkerhed. Også ekstrem hede forårsager store og ødelæggende natur- og skovbrande, og hedebølger koster menneskeliv.” Det siger meteorolog Mikael Jarnvig. Klimaforandringer ændrer ikke væsentligt ved livet til søs.

Tørke

Han understreger, at WMO (World Meteorological Organization) har regnet sig frem til, at vejrrelaterede naturkatastrofer er 5-doblet de seneste 50 år. Fx er der betydeligt mere tørke og flere voldsomme oversvømmelser end tidligere, som den oversvømmelse vi så i Pakistan i efteråret 2022. Mennesker på landjorden vil rammes oftere af klimafølgevirkninger, medmindre vi reducerer CO2-aftrykket.

”Man kan sagtens være ombord på skibene uden at møde mange storme, da for-

climate change much more often in the future unless we reduce our CO2 footprint.

“Because of the accuracy of modern meteorological equipment, you can sail for a long time without running into more storms than people did in the past. In general, this technological progress explains why the number of casualties in natural disasters has decreased in recent years. Years back, a hurricane could cost thousands of lives. We probably see more tropical cyclones today, but the development isn’t consequent. Along the coast of Greenland, the thick layer of ice is less dominant today, which means that you can sail further north than earlier during the winter. The amount of polar ice has been reduced by 50% over the last forty years,” Jarnvig says.

Seafarers

By Nicolaj Wibe, General Secretary in the

udsigelserne af orkanernes baner er blevet meget bedre. Det er i øvrigt også hovedårsagen til, at dødstallene for naturkatastrofer er faldet over en årrække. I gamle dage kunne en orkan koste mange tusinde menneskeliv. Tropiske cykloner er der nok lidt flere af, men det er ikke en konsekvent udvikling. Ved de grønlandske kyster er den tykke is mere svingende, hvilket betyder, at man kan sejle længere op mod nord, end man kunne tidligere på samme tidspunkt af året. Polarisen er halveret i løbet af 40 år,” vurderer Jarnvig.

Seeking

shelter from

THE STORM

“No one goes through life without facing storms. Some storms are worse and more terrifying than others. Next time you face a storm, I encourage you to find a place where you can be alone. Fold your hands and pray to God. I can’t say what that prayer is going to do to you, because I have no idea. But I do know that those who pray to God, who has the power to quiet a real storm at sea, will be heard. Your prayer will touch his heart.”

Det bedste i en storm ER

AT SØGE LY

”Der findes intet menneskeliv uden storm. Nogle storme er værre end andre. Så næste gang du oplever en storm, find et sted, hvor du kan være alene. Fold dine hænder, og bed til Gud.

Jeg kan ikke fortælle dig, hvad den bøn kommer til at gøre ved dig. For jeg aner det ikke. Men den, der beder til ham, som kan få en storm på havet til at lægge sig, ved nok, hvad han skal gøre. For din bøn rører hans hjerte. ”

Af Nicolaj Wibe, generalsekretær i Sømandsmissionen

Danish Mission to

By Hanne Baltzer

The first rescue operation WAS A DEMANDING and valuable experience

The 15th of December was an ordinary day on board the SOV-vessel ESVAGT NJORD that services off-shore wind farms. At 11.30 AM, Frederik Oksholm had just ended his morning shift when he heard a deafening blow. His first thought was that it came from the hatchway, but he was wrong.

On deck, people were moving quickly and the chief officer had his binoculars pointed at a British crab vessel, ”Galwad-Y-Mor”, 22 miles north of Cromer Norfolk in England.

Shortly after, the captain sounded the alarm at ESVAGT and called in the FRBs (fast rescue boats) - but he hadn’t yet sounded the main emergency alarm.

Theory vs reality

”Jeg vidste, hvad min rolle ville være, men jeg havde ikke kunnet forberede mig til virkelighedens voldsomhed,” mener Frederik Oksholm.

Frederik already knew every little detail on the long list of procedures in case of a sudden emergency like this one. As soon as the FRBs hit the Water, the rest of the crew began preparing – without knowing what was to come. How many injured would be brought back? How bad was the damage? Were there any casualties? Frederik remem-

bers waiting somewhat chaotic as they prepared everything from facemasks and stretchers to bandages and defibrillators. And soon, the main alarm sounded. The situation was as severe as they had feared.

On the bridge, the crew remained calm and collected, even when no less than seven injured crabbers were brought on board.

An inferno of fire

The sudden explosion had been caused by a collision with a naval mine, which had triggered other explosions on board and damaged the hull. The crew had noticed some difficulties in bringing in their nets, but before they could react, everything disappeared in an inferno of fire, and water lifted the 13-meter vessel out of the water. From there, it dropped back down with a heavy blow.

“I was aware of my responsibilities, but there is no way to truly prepare for such a situation before it actually happens.”

When a nearby crab vessel exploded, Frederik’s skills were put to the test

“I learned that doing something is always better than doing nothing, despite my lack of experience.”

The blast had thrown the crew off their feet and damaged the wheelhouse. “They were badly hurt, some were in a state of shock, others were unconscious, and there was blood, vomit, wounds, and cries for help in every direction. The situation made a deep impression on me, but I did my best to stay focused. To avoid being overwhelmed by the situation, I tried to oppress my emotions and just assist my more experienced colleagues. This was an absolute state of emergency, and when it ended, I nearly broke down. I was new. This was only my third engagement, and I just wanted to go home for Christmas,” Frederik tells.

First aid

This situation made it obvious why all seafarers are trained in performing first aid at sea

and why captains and chief officers must all be certified in AMA (Advanced Medical Aid). On that fatal day, the crew knew how to respond. The chief officer took charge of the injured while the captain coordinated from the bridge. Frederik tried to remember everything he had learned during his theoretical training.

“I learned that doing something is always better than doing nothing, despite my lack of experience. I was aware of my responsibilities, but there is no way to truly prepare for such a situation before it actually happens. For those four hours, we worked intensely with everything we had. We used the blankets from our own cabins, and when the last of the injured had been brought off the ship, I nearly broke down in tears. Talking to my co-workers who had been there

with me was helpful. Three of the crabbers were so badly hurt that they had to be picked up by helicopter, and later we were all relieved to hear that they had all survived, although some were permanently injured.”

A time for reflection

After hours of struggling, when the injured crabbers had all been picked up, the crew became aware of a basic need: they were hungry – and, luckily, there was tomato soup and rump steak for everyone. After eating, the crew gathered on the bridge where everyone had a chance to share and talk about what had happened, and how they felt.

“The atmosphere was quiet and thoughtful. People reacted differently, and the gathering gave room to encourage and re-

cognize each other. Later, ESVAGT offered everyone therapy and told us that everyone should talk to a counselor for at least five minutes. For those with lots of experience, five minutes was enough, but I was still overwhelmed by emotions that stirred just below the surface, so getting some help to process the experience was important to me. Did I react in the right way? Did I keep others from doing their job? After all, this was my first real rescue operation.”

During those fatal hours, Frederik noticed how everyone was fully focused: “All we thought about was saving lives. We worked together so well, and afterwards, it really lifted our spirits. I wouldn’t have guessed it beforehand, but when the dust had settled it even seemed necessary to joke around with some of these heavy experiences. Humor is also a tool to deal with extreme situations. I also remember the injured skipper

asking for a cigarette before we had even begun treating him and while his crew was receiving lots of painkillers to relieve the pain. It was an unusual experience.”

An open mindset

Since the incident, the crew has mostly had calm days at sea. Frederik is now AB and his contract at ESVAGT has been prolonged.

“Perhaps I see myself as an everyday Samaritan,” he says with a smile. “I’ve now experienced how we are all very different, but each of us have something to offer when we need to perform, and afterwards, we can always talk through the situations together as a team. We take care of each other. After this violent incident, I’ve often thought about how my co-workers took care of me and helped me through. Since that day I’ve been on my toes and extra alert, and ,to some extent, I am probably still in a

state of shock. But my days are good when I can use an open mindset to translate what I know in theory into practice on board. I often get positive feedback in my current job, and a desk job is definitely not my thing,” Frederik says.

ESVAGT NJORD is an SOV (Service Operation Vessel), serving the Norwegian energy company Equinor’s wind farm off the coast of Great Yarmouth on the English east coast. On that December day in 2020, the crew played a crucial role in the lives of seven badly injured crabbers. In fact, they saved their lives!

Den første redningsaktion ryster og udruster

Da krabbefiskefartøjet sprang i luften, fandt Frederik ud af, at han kunne sit job

Det var en helt almindelig dag den 15. december 2020 ombord på ESVAGT NJORD, som til dagligt servicerer offshore havvindmølleparker. Ombord stod Frederik Oksholm vagt fra kl. 05 og indtil frokost. Ved 11.30-tiden hørte han et kæmpe brag, mens han var ved at støvsuge i receptionen. Han troede, det var noget ved lugen. Det var det ikke.

Der var travlhed på broen, hvor styrmanden stod med kikkerten indstillet mod en britisk krabbe-båd, ”Galwad-Y-Mor”, 22 sømil nord for Cromer Norfolk i England.

Kort efter lød ordren fra kaptajnen hos

ESVAGT: Sæt FRB-bådene (fast rescue boat) i vandet. Endnu lød den store alarm ikke.

Teori og trykbølger Frederik var sat godt ind i detaljerne på den lange mønstringsliste, der beskriver, hvad man skal gøre i nødsituationer, hvor man skal være klar til hvad som helst. Da redningsbådene blev sat i vandet, gik de andre på ESVAGT-skibet i gang med at forberede sig. Men hvad var det lige, der skulle ske? Hvor mange tilskadekomne krabbefiskere ville kollegerne komme tilbage med? Hvor hårdt tilskadekomne var de? Var der døde? Frederik

husker ventetiden som lidt kaotisk, mens der var mange remedier at finde frem: fx iltmasker til bårer, forbindinger og hjertestartere. Snart blev den store alarm da også udløst. Det her var alvorligt.

På broen havde de overblikket - også da det væltede ombord med syv tilskadekomne.

Inferno af ild

De tilskadekomne blev hårdt sårede, da en mine formodentlig eksploderede under fiskekutteren og blandt andet udløste flere eksplosioner samt lavede buler på skroget. Besætningen havde bemærket, at indtræk-

Af Hanne Baltzer

Due to serious trauma, three crew members were evacuated by helicopter.

ket af krabbetejnerne gik trægt, men inden de fik skipper gjort opmærksom på det, eksploderede det hele i et inferno af ild og vand, som løftede det 13 meter lange fartøj op af vandet, hvor det efterfølgende landede tungt. En trykbølge havde blæst mandskabet omkuld og styrehuset ud.

”De var slemt tilskadekomne. Nogle var i chok, andre bevidstløse. Der var masser af blod, opkast, sår, stønnen og skrig. Det var godt nok voldsomt og gjorde et dybt indtryk på mig, men jeg forsøgte at holde fokus. For ikke at gå ned selv, prøvede jeg at lægge mine følelser fra mig. Prøvede at hjælpe mine mere erfarne kolleger. Dette var en nødsituation. Bagefter knækkede jeg sammen. Jeg var ny, det var kun min tredje udmønstring, og jeg ville bare hjem til jul,” fortæller Frederik.

Force med førstehjælp

At søfarende har udvidede førstehjælpskurser og kaptajn og styrmænd AMA (Avanced

Medical Aid), blev ganske afgørende i denne situation. Mandskabet ombord på redningsskibet kunne deres metier. Det var overstyrmanden, der stod for de tilskadekomne, mens kaptajnen koordinerede fra broen. Frederik prøvede at huske alt, hvad han havde lært i teorilokalet.

”Jeg fandt ud af, at det er bedre at gøre noget frem for at gøre ingenting, selv om jeg var ny. Jeg vidste da også, hvad min rolle ville være, men jeg havde ikke kunnet forberede mig til virkelighedens voldsomhed. I de fire timer, der gik, mens de sårede var ombord, arbejdede vi intenst med det udstyr, der var. Vi hentede fx tæpper fra vores kamre. Da den sidste af de sårede var hentet, var jeg nærmest grædefærdig. Det hjalp at tale med kollegerne, der også havde været der. Tre krabbefiskere var så hårdt medtagne, at de måtte evakueres med helikopter. Derfor var det også en lettelse at høre efterfølgende, at alle syv fiskere overlevede, selv om nogle fik mén.”

Tid til reflektion

Da de sidste tilskadekomne var sendt videre, meldte sulten sig, og der var frokost til alle. Derefter samledes besætningen på broen, hvor alle kunne berette, hvad de havde oplevet, hvad der var sket. Ja, hvordan man havde det.

”Alle var meget stille og tænksomme. Der var forskellige reaktioner, og der var plads

Tre hårdt sårede måtte evakueres med helikopter. Det var voldsomt.

“Jeg fandt ud af, at det er bedre at gøre noget frem for at gøre ingenting, selv om jeg var ny.”

FAKTA

ESVAFT NJORD er et SOV-skib (Service Operation Vessel), som servicerer det norske energiselskab Equinor i driften af vindmølleparken ud for Great Yarmouth på den engelske østkyst. Den decemberdag i 2020 kom mandskabet de syv hårdt sårede krabbefiskere til undsætning. Det reddede deres liv!

til anerkendelse og stolthed. Vi forsøgte at sætte ord på vores oplevelser. ESVAGT supplerede med at tilbyde psykologhjælp, og vurderede, at alle skulle tale mindst fem minutter med psykologen. For de mere erfarne redningsfolk var de fem minutter nok. Jeg var stadig overvældet af følelser, der lå lige under overfladen, så det var fint for mig at få assistance til at komme videre. For gjorde jeg det rigtigt? Forhindrede jeg de andre i at gøre deres arbejde? Det var jo min allerførste redningsaktion.”

Under redningsaktionen oplevede Frederik, hvordan alle arbejdede intenst: ”Vi tænkte ikke på andet end at redde liv. Vi samarbejdede på en rigtig god måde, og bagefter gav det en god gejst. Jeg troede, jeg var noget mere empatisk, men det var nødvendigt at joke lidt med det triste. Sort humor kan noget. Jeg husker også fiske-

skipperen bede om en smøg som det første, før vi nærmest startede behandlingen af ham, og mens hans mandskab fik masser af smertestillende for at dulme. Det var nu specielt.”

Åbent mindset

Siden den store redningsaktion har der været flest rolige dage. Frederik er nu befaren skibsassistent og har fået tilbudt ny hyre hos ESVAGT, som han har taget imod.

”Jeg er måske en hverdags-samaritaner,” siger han med et glimt i øjet. ”Min erfaring er nu, at der er stor forskel på os i mandskabet, men at vi byder ind med hver vores erfaring, når vi skal yde, og at det bagefter er trygt at tale situationerne igennem med kolleger. Vi tager vare på hinanden. Efter den voldsomme hændelse med fiskerne har jeg flere gange tænkt på, at kollegerne tog hånd om mig. Jeg har desuden været noget oppe på dupperne og i alarmberedskab i tiden efter og er nok stadig meget påvirket. Når jeg med et åbent mindset omsætter teorien fra skolen til praksis ombord, så er det en god hverdag. Et kontorjob er ikke mig,” siger Frederik, der ofte oplever positiv feedback. •

Frederik (No. 2 top row left) is now a senior ship assistant from Svendborg Maritime School, December 2022.

Frederik (Nr. 2 øverste række tv.) bestod som befaren skibsassistent fra Svendborg Søfartsskole, december 2022.

Enjoying life at sea

Told to missionary to seafarers Jørgen Knudsen

“My name is Ivan, and I am from Kaliningrad. I am an engineer, and my job is to repair and maintain the engines whenever necessary. It is a good job, and I’ve worked as engineer for twenty years now. I have a wife and an eight-year-old son back in Kaliningrad.

I work at sea because there aren’t enough jobs back home. This is my first contract on this ship, and I’ve been here for two months now. My previous ship, Laguna, went out of business. I needed a new job, and, luckily, this ship needed a new engineer. I enjoy working alongside different nationalities, although the language barrier is a challenge. But despite this challenge, we usually find ways to communicate. I used to work in an all-Russian crew for years where we all spoke the same language.

Being away from home for a long time is not too difficult for me. I enjoy being at sea, and my family is used to it. When I am home, I am fully present. Other parents need to go to work every day and can only be with their kids on the weekends, but as a sailor, you get to spend more time with them. Also, today’s modern technology makes long distance communication a lot easier even at sea. Before the internet, things were more complicated. If you were lucky, you had a chance to call home, but when you came home, your kids almost didn’t recognize you.

I’m an orthodox Christian and I go to church when I’m home. It gives me peace of mind.” •

Kan lide arbejdet ombord

Fortalt til sømandsmissionær Jørgen Knudsen

”Mit navn er Ivan, og jeg er fra Kaliningrad. Jeg er ingeniør ombord og reparerer motorerne, når det er nødvendigt. Det er et godt job, og jeg har arbejdet som ingeniør i tyve år. Jeg har en kone og en søn på otte år, der bor i Kaliningrad.

Jeg er sømand, fordi der ikke er nok job på land. Det er min første kontrakt på dette skib, og jeg har været her i to måneder. Mit tidligere fartøj, Laguna, gik konkurs og er nu ude af drift, så jeg havde brug for et nyt job, og skibet her havde brug for en ingeniør. Det

er fint at arbejde med mennesker af forskellige nationaliteter, selvom jeg har et lille problem med sprog. Der er en sprogbarriere, men det bliver bedre, når jeg prøver mig frem. Tidligere arbejdede jeg med en russisk besætning i flere år, og der var sproget kun russisk.

Det er ikke så svært at være væk hjemmefra. Jeg kan godt lide at være på havet, og min familie er vant til, at jeg er væk. Når jeg er hjemme, er jeg der 100 procent. Andre forældre skal på arbejde og kan kun

være sammen med deres børn i weekenderne, men som sømand har man meget mere tid med dem. Og med mulighederne for internet og videoopkald er det slet ikke så slemt. Før internettet var det mere kompliceret. Du kunne måske ringe, men når du kom hjem, ville dine børn ikke genkende dig, fordi de ikke havde set dig.

Jeg er ortodoks kristen og går i kirke, når jeg er hjemme. Det giver mig ro i sindet.” •

“I’m an orthodox Christian and I go to church when I’m home. It gives me peace of mind.”

Ivan

Education

Principal Bent Olesen is always happy to give visitors a tour of the Maritime Center of Greenland in Nuuk, Imarsiornermik Ilinniarfik. The center offers a range of courses and educations aimed at employment in the fishing fleet and the merchant navy. In addition, the school offers a wide selection of STCW courses.

The center hosts between 10 and 25 students, mostly men. The number of students varies depending on the size of the current youth generation. All courses are taught in either Danish or Greenlandic, and the facility has a number of useful resources at its disposal, such as one of the world’s largest fishing simulators – a K-sim digital fishing simulator that gives the students an authentic feel for sailing, maneuvering, navigation and docking.

Equality at sea

“In recent years, the number of fishing vessels has shrunk significantly, and instead, the remaining vessels are larger than they used to be. Therefore, the number of people working in the sector is decreasing, so our aim is to make sure that the remaining fishers receive the appropriate training and education, and that the quality of the work environment and safety on board is as strong as possible,” he says. Bent also works to increase equality between Greenlandic and Danish seafarers: “Today, seafarers living in Greenland don’t have the same rights as those living in Denmark. For instance, those who live in Greenland and work on board Greenlandic ships have no right to a formal contract. Greenland’s maritime sector is part of the Danish system, and I think the Danish system is ne-

Uddannelse kan give succes til søs - også i Grønland

Forstander Bent Olesen viser engageret rundt på Grønlands Maritime Center i Nuuk, Imarsiornermik Ilinniarfik. Her tilbyder de en række uddannelser indenfor fiskeri- og handelsflåden. Derudover afholder skolen et bredt udvalg af STCW-efteruddannelseskurser.

På stedet er der mellem 10 og 25 elever – flest mænd. Rekrutteringsgrundlaget

svinger alt afhængig af, hvor stor den aktuelle ungdomsgeneration er. Når lærerne underviser, er det på dansk eller grønlandsk. De har mange relevante hjælpemidler, ikke mindst en af verdens største fiskerisimulatorer – en K-Sim fiskerisimulator, der giver de studerende den rigtige fornemmelse af at sejle, undvige, navigere og lægge til kaj.

glecting its responsibilities,” Bent Olesen adds. His overall vision to improve the maritime sector: “We will make an effort to ensure a modern and healthy Greenlandic fishing industry for future generations. Also, we see great potential in the growing number of modern container ships in the region”, he says.

Programs offered by the Maritime Center of Greenland in Nuuk, Imarsiornermik Ilinniarfik

• Ordinary ship’s assistant (OS)

• Able ship’s assistant (AB)

• Ship’s assistant with technical training

• First degree program for commercial fishing with fishing as a sideline

• Trawl-maker

• Officer - Home trade master, first- and third-degree fishing-skipper Read more at www.maritim.gl

Sidestil søfarende

”Antallet af fiskefartøjer er reduceret de senere år, men fartøjerne er større nu end tidligere. Det betyder, at der ikke er så mange besætningsmedlemmer ombord, men vi vil gerne arbejde for, at flere får den rette uddannelse og de rette kurser, så arbejdsmiljøet og sikkerheden er i top, ” siger han. Bent arbejder også for, at danske og grøn-

is key to a successful career at sea - also in Greenland

According to principal at the Maritime Center in Nuuk, “seafarers living in Greenland don’t have the same rights as those living in Denmark”.

”I dag har søfolk, der bor i Grønland, ikke de samme rettigheder som søfolk bosat i Danmark,” fortæller Bent Olesen, forstander for Grønlands Maritime Center i Nuuk.

landske søfarende kan sidestilles: ”I dag har søfolk, der bor i Grønland, ikke de samme rettigheder som søfolk bosat i Danmark. Fx har de ikke krav på en ansættelseskontrakt, hvis de arbejder på grønlandske skibe og er bosat i Grønland. Det grønlandske søfartsområde hører under Danmark. Jeg synes, der er tale om at fralægge sig ansvar for en rimelig rettighed,” tilføjer Bent Olesen. Han

vil gerne servicere det blå erhverv: ”Vi vil gøre en ihærdig indsats for, at der også i fremtiden findes et veludviklet grønlandsk fiskeri. Derudover ser vi et stort potentiale i den store tilgang af moderne containerskibe,” siger han.

På Grønlands Maritime Center i Nuuk, Imarsiornermik Ilinniarfik, kan du blive:

• Ubefaren skibsassistent

• Befaren skibsassistent

• Skibsassistent for faglærte

• Erhvervsfiskeriets grunduddannelse med fangst som bibeskæftigelse

• Vodbinder

• Officer – kystskipper, sætteskipper, fiskeskipper af 3. grad, fiskeskipper af 1. grad

Se mere på www.maritim.gl

“In recent years, the number of fishing vessels has shrunk significantly, and, instead the remaining vessels are larger than they used to be.”

Bent Olesen

By Hanne Baltzer

Educated in Nuuk

- The dream is working on the bridge

Over

last five years, Hans-Henrik Djurhuus has spent a lot of

In June, he graduated as home trade master from Greenland’s Maritime Centre in Nuuk, Imarsiornermik Ilinniarfik

One of the many resources that Djurhuus has benefited from during his education is the center’s maritime simulator. The simulator is one of the largest in the world and sitting in it is a rather impressive experience. In the future, Hans-Henrik aspires to become shipmaster, and his ultimate dream is to achieve a permanent position on the bridge.

“I grew up in Sisimiut and Nuuk. After

high school, I was one of the few luck students who got a spot on the Danish training ship Georg Stage, for which I felt very lucky. Later I sailed onboard various ships from Royal Arctic Line as a cadet and as OS. My career at sea was inspired by my uncle. My father also used to sail as engineer, so I had some insight into the maritime world before starting my professional training,”

Hans-Henrik tells. Since then, he has moved on to become AB and then home trade master. Today, he works on board Ivalo Arctica.

Colleagues look out for each other

“I prefer to sail on the supply ships because it is more challenging, and it allows you to visit many new locations. This is what makes the job interesting to me, and I always seek variation and new experiences. Every day, I learn something new. The work rhythm of six weeks out followed by six weeks off suits me well.”

“Although the composition of the crew often changes, I know most of my co-workers rather well. I also think it is fun to help out the new and less experienced crew

“I prefer to sail on the supply ships because it is more challenging, and it allows you to visit many new locations. This is what makes the job interesting to me, and I always seek variation and new experiences.”

the

time at sea.

According to Hans-Henrik Djurhuus, “a positive atmosphere on board is always important.”

”Det betyder meget med en god stemning ombord,” vurderer Hans-Henrik Djurhuus.

By Hanne Baltzer

members. As co-workers, we look out for each other, and there is almost always a good atmosphere on board. Only a few times have I experienced social challenges on board that demanded a change in the crew.”

No superhero

In time, Hans-Henrik wants to become a skilled leader, but he is still not sure of his own approach to the role: “I’ve met captains that I look up to. They always have a strong work ethic, respect other people, and have experience in bringing a ship to shore.”

“The worst thing about working at sea is the risk of losing friends or relatives and not being there to say goodbye. This is a tough reality do deal with and it affects me deeply,” the young seafarer adds.

Uddannet

–

fra Nuuk

drømmen er at stå på broen

Hans-Henrik Djurhuus har sejlet de sidste fem år. I juni blev han uddannet sætteskipper fra Grønlands Maritime Center i Nuuk, Imarsiornermik Ilinniarfik

Han har under uddannelsen blandt andet brugt den store simulator på skolen til at lære at sejle. Den er en af verdens største og ret imponerende at sidde ved. Senere vil han gerne læse videre til skibsfører. Hans drøm er at få en fast plads på broen.

”Jeg er opvokset i Sisimiut og Nuuk. Efter gymnasiet var jeg en af de heldige, der kom med på skoleskibet Georg Stage, hvilket jeg var glad for. Senere sejlede jeg på forskellige skibe fra Royal Arctic Line som dels elev, dels ubefaren skibsassistent. Det er min onkel, der har inspireret mig til uddannelsen. Tidligere sejlede min far også som maskinmester, så inden jeg begyndte på skolen, kendte jeg derfor en del til faget,” fortæller Hans-Henrik. Siden har han så uddannet sig til befaren skibsassistent, inden han læste videre til sætteskipper. I dag arbejder han på Ivalo Arctica.

Kolleger passer på hinanden

”Jeg vil hellere sejle med bygdeskibene, da man laver mere og samtidig besøger mange steder. Det bliver mere fagligt spændende på den måde. Desuden får jeg en alsidig erfaring. Jeg lærer noget nyt hver dag. Arbejdsmåden med seks uger ude og bagefter hjem i seks uger passer mig godt.”

”Når jeg sejler, skiftes besætningen nogle gange ud, men alligevel kender jeg de fleste kolleger rigtig godt. Jeg synes, det er spændende at hjælpe de nye. Som kolleger passer vi godt på hinanden. På mine ture er der næsten altid en god stemning. Det betyder meget. Jeg har et par gange oplevet dårlig stemning, hvor det også var nødvendigt at skifte nogen i mandskabet.”

Kan ikke det hele

Hans-Henrik vil gerne være en god leder på sigt, men han har endnu ikke lagt sig fast på lederstilen: ”Jeg har mødt kaptajner, som jeg kan se op til. De har en høj arbejdsmoral, respekterer andre mennesker og har stor erfaring i at styre skibet mod kaj.

”Det værste ved at sejle er, når man mister familiemedlemmer og venner, hvor man ikke kan være med til deres begravelse, fordi man er på havet. Det kan gøre mig ked af det,” tilføjer den unge sømand. •

By general secretary Nicolaj

AGE AND TIME have no effect on truth

The former Pope Benedict the sixteenth has died. He served as the 265th pope from 2005 to 2013. After years of illness, he closed his eyes for the last time on December 31st, 2022, at the age of 95. When he renounced his title due to health issues in 2013, it deeply affected the Catholic world. A papal abdication is a highly unusual event, and the latest other example of a pope renouncing his position before his death is 700 years back.

Chosen

700 years is a long time, but the existence of popes goes back way further. In the Catholic church the Apostle Peter was the first pope. Among the twelve apostles, Jesus singled out Peter for a special task: “And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church (…) I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven.” (The Gospel of Matthew, chapter 19, verse 18-19). Peter was the leader of the apostles, and Jesus gave him a special responsibility in the process of building and upholding the Christian Church. When Peter was crucified in 61 AD, he was the leader of the Roman church. Therefore, it is always Peter’s successor as bishop of Rome who is also the head of the Catholic Church. In the crypt beneath St. Peter’s Basilica in Rome you can see the place where the Apostle Peter is buried. There is no final proof, but the evidence suggests that it is actually him.

Stay grounded

Sometimes, the Christian faith can become so exalted and “spiritual” that we tend to forget that its foundation is in fact very

down to earth and rooted in history. Although they lived long ago, Jesus and his apostles were real people. When Benedict the 16th abdicated, it reminded us that age and time does not make a fundamental truth untrue or irrelevant.

Jesus is a historical figure, and the things we know about Jesus from Scripture are historically accurate. The British writer C.S. Lewis says that Christians tend to make God so spiritual that he loses contact with reality. They thank God for all things spiritual but forget to thank him for more palpable things like a fresh morning wind, a delicious meal, or an intimate conversation with a friend.

Believing in a living God

As a Christian, I don’t believe in a detached and distant God. No, I believe in the real God. When I fold my hands and pray to Jesus, I’m not just speaking to my bedroom walls. My words reach the ears and heart of Jesus – and I mean that literally.

At the beginning of time, God created Heaven and Earth, humans, animals, and everything that surrounds us. He created the oceans. This is historically true. It really happened. 700 years, 2000 years, time does not change the truth.

So, what does all this mean to us? I find it almost obvious! The Christian faith is a safe and firm foundation on which you can build your life. Everything Jesus teaches us is true, which means that our brief lives on Earth are connected to a much larger picture, and that we belong with God, also when the day comes where we must follow in the path of Pope Benedict the 16th. •

The Christian faith is a safe and firm foundation on which you can build your life – now and for all time.

ALDER GØR INGEN forskel på sandheden

Den tidligere pave Benedikt den 16. er død. Han tjente som pave nr. 265 og var pave fra 2005 til 2013. Efter flere år med svagt helbred lukkede paven for sidste gang sine øjne lørdag den 31. december 2022, 95 år gammel. Det sendte ellers chokbølger gennem den katolske kirke, da han i 2013 annoncerede, at han trådte tilbage af helbredsmæssige årsager og på grund af hans høje alder. Det var næsten uhørt, at en pave forlod embedet før sin død. Vi skal ca. 700 år tilbage for at finde et lignende tilfælde.

Udvalgt

700 år er ufatteligt lang tid siden. Men pavens embede er langt ældre. I den katolske kirke siger traditionen, at apostlen Peter var den første pave. Blandt apostlene var der én, som Jesus udvalgte til en særlig opgave, og det var apostlen Peter: ”Du er Peter, og på den klippe vil jeg bygge min kirke (...). Jeg vil give dig nøglerne til Himmeriget...” (Mattæusevangeliet, kapitel 16, vers 19)

Peter var apostlenes leder, og det var først og fremmest ham, som Jesus gav ansvaret for sin kirke.

Da Peter i år 61 blev korsfæstet ligesom Jesus, var han leder af menigheden i Rom. Derfor er det altid Peters efterfølger som biskop i Rom, der er den katolske kirkes øverste leder.

I krypten under Peterskirken i Rom kan man se det sted, hvor de jordiske rester af apostlen Peter er begravet. Man ved det ikke med sikkerhed, men meget tyder på, at det faktisk er ham.

Hold jordforbindelsen

Den kristne tro kan blive så højtsvævende og ’åndelig’, at man helt glemmer, at den er ganske jordnær og meget historisk. Jesus og apostlene var rigtige mennesker, og det selvom det er et par tusind år siden, de var her. Da Benedikt den 16. abdicerede, mindede det os om, at alder ikke gør en sandhed usand eller irrelevant.

Jesus er en historisk person, og det, vi ved om Jesus fra fx vores bibellæsning, er historisk sandt.

Den engelske forfatter C. S. Lewis skriver et sted, at kristne har det med at gøre Gud så åndelig, at han helt mister jordforbindel-

sen. De takker Gud for alt det åndelige, men glemmer at takke ham for den friske vind i håret, den dejlige mad på bordet og den nære samtale med en ven.

At tro på

en levende Gud Som kristen tror jeg ikke på en Gud derude et eller andet sted. Jeg tror på en virkelig Gud. Når jeg folder mine hænder og beder til Jesus, beder jeg ikke bare ud i luften, men mine ord når Jesu øre og hjerte – og det helt bogstaveligt.

Engang skabte Gud himmel og jord, mennesker, dyr og alt, hvad vi ser omkring os. Det var ham, der satte grænserne for havet. Og dette er historisk sandt. Det skete virkelig. 700 år, 2000 år, alder gør ingen forskel på sandheden.

Og hvilken betydning har det så? Den kristne tro er et trygt og fast fundament at bygge sit liv på. Alt, hvad vi lærer fra Jesus, er sandt, og det vil sige, at vores liv nu og her er sat ind i en kæmpestor ramme, hvor vi hører til hos Gud. Også den dag, hvor vi skal samme vej som Benedikt den 16. •

By general secretary Nicolaj Wibe

Den kristne tro er et trygt fundament at bygge sit liv på. Før, nu og fremover.

Contact our Missionary to Seafarers

We would like to meet you!

The Danish Mission to Seafarers talks to seafarers, fishers and others with a maritime connection. Every day, we experience the positive outcome of an open dialogue between people. Maybe a talk about life at sea. Always feel free to contact us! •

Invitation

Kontakt sømandsmissionæren

Vi vil gerne møde dig

Sømandsmissionens medarbejdere taler med søfolk, fiskere og andre, der færdes på havnen. Det er vores erfaring, at dialog mellem folk om det, der fylder lige nu, kan give dagen ny kulør. Kontakt os endelig. •

Missionaries to seafarers / Sømandsmissionærer

Finn Løvlund

Phone +45 - 2073 3806 fl@somandsmissionen.dk

Harbors/havne: Esbjerg, Aabenraa, Hvide Sande

Jørgen Bech Knudsen

Phone +45 - 2865 5277 jbk@somandsmissionen.dk

Harbors/havne: Aarhus, Randers, Kolding, Vejle, Horsens, Grenå

Paul Høeg, Fyn

Phone +45 - 2296 3950 ph@somandsmissionen.dk

Harbors/havne: Fredericia, Fyn

Per Jerup

Phone +45 - 6113 5383 pj@somandsmissionen.dk

Harbors/havne: Aalborg, Limfjorden

DANMARK

Hotel Bethel Sømandshjem www.hotel-bethel.dk

International Seamen´s Club

Polensgade 3, 8000 Århus C

phone: +45 8612 1599

Mail: seamensclub.aarhus@mail.dk www.seamensclubaarhus.dk

Niels Rasmussen

Phone +45 5184 1942 nr@somandsmissionen.dk

Habors/havne: København, Køge, Hundested, Gilleleje, Rønne, Nakskov

Søren Ørstrøm Phone + 45 3032 8501 soe@somandsmissionen.dk

Harbors/havne Frederikshavn, Skagen, Hirtshals

Sømandsmissionen i Kalundborg

The Seamen’s Mission in Kalundborg

Editha og Jens Chr. Seeberg

phone: +45 5950 1332

Hotel Frederikshavn

Sømandshjem www.fshotel.dk

KOMPAS Hotel Aalborg www.kompashotel.dk

Sømandscafeen

Bredgade 5, 6960 Hvide Sande

GRØNLAND

Karsten Hald Jacobsen

Phone: +299 27 60 10 khj@hotelsoma.gl

Harbor/havn: Aasiaat

Else Højvang

Phone: +299 22 39 74 else@hotelsoma.gl

Harbor/havn: Ilulissat

Henriette Killerich Mikkelsen henriette@hotelsoma.gl Harbor/havn: Sisimiut

Niels Chemnitz

Phone: +299 32 10 29 niels@hotelsoma.gl

Harbor/havn: Nuuk

GRØNLAND

Sømandshjemmet/ HOTEL SØMA

Nuuk, Sisimiut, Aasiaat og Ilulissat www.soemandshjem.gl