FAWLTY TOWERS HOTEL
10
Text:: May Britt Haukås
- I feel like the actor John Cleese in the
on safety. The job would just have to last
role of Basil Fawlty in the television
the time needed to be executed safely.
series Fawlty Towers, laughs Geir Arthur
When going home, the boat was to be
Angelsen. The jovial man from Lofoten has
handed over in the same condition, or
started on a new chapter in his career. As
preferably better, as when they came on
the captain on board the newest ship in the
board.
Olympic Shipping fleet, “Olympic Boa”, he
-Damage or injuries to people and vessel is
gets the feeling of being a hotel director.
not acceptable, he proclaims.
But in contrast to the sitcom, there is no question of who’s the boss on board.
In July 2012, Angelsen went on board as the captain of “Olympic Challenger” in Newcastle. This stint lasted two interesting
There was never any doubt of where his
years, working both in the North Sea and
livelihood would be. Geir Arthur Angelsen
in West Africa. He found Ghana to be an
grew up by the seashore in the small fishing
unexpected positive surprise:
village of Napp in the Lofoten Islands.
-We hear so much negative talk about
Boating and seamanship came as natural
Africa and some of it is probably true. But
to him as his mother’s milk. He wanted
I experienced Ghana as a very pleasant
to be a fisherman. More schooling after
country, easy to work from. The people
mandatory education was not an option;
there were nice and friendly to work with,
he was in a hurry to get to work at sea.
‘ he says.
Both before and after his military service he worked on board fishing vessels. But
EMPATHY AND ROBBER STORIES
then the hunger came to learn more and
Good
get more responsibility. In 1986, he took the
Angelsen. He himself is certainly known as
first part of the fishing captain education
a man not lacking in the joke department,
at the Nordland Fishery Vocational School.
although he also knows how to put his
After several more trips on fishing vessels,
foot down whenever necessary. But mostly
he completed his education as a captain at
the quick replies and laughter comes easy:
Bodø Captain School in 1992 and changed
-A good tale is like valium, good mood
occupation to the coastal lines, working
makes the days go a little smoother, he
for Nor-Cargo. However, in 1998, he was
laughs. He wants the crew to enjoy their
tempted to try his fortune in the supply and
periods at work. A light tone and a low
offshore industry. He gained considerable
threshold make talking to one another
experience both from Simon Møgster and
easier, also when difficult and personal
DOF before joining Olympic Shipping in
issues are at stake. Having problems at
July 2008.
home means struggling at work as well. It
humor
goes
down
well
with
does happen that someone needs to go NEW CHALLENGES
home without being sick. Then solutions
- I had to revitalize myself, he chuckles.
must be found that doesn’t compromise
That’s why he signed up with the shipping
regulatory compliance and safety.
company in Fosnavaag.
-Empathy, ‘ he says, -that’s the key to job
The 49-year-
old became the captain of “Olympic
satisfaction.
Intervention IV” for four years in the Gulf
He highly values Olympics policy of not
of Mexico. A subsea-vessel with cranes,
always playing strictly by the rules of
several remote operated vessels (ROVs)
the working agreements, but to prioritize
and
human and social needs.
helipad
has
multiple
and
more
extensive challenges and responsibilities to offer than an ordinary supply vessel.
CLOSE CONTACT As
captain,
Angelsen
has
the
huge
- Sometimes I wished for more human
responsibility of humans, the vessel and
resources in order to be able to resolve the
the equipment. He thinks it’s important to
duties faster, he remembers, but he is quick
know the people he’s dealing with, both on
to emphasize that they never compromised
board and on land. The fact that Olympic