Wavelength #17

W

Volume 2, Issue 17, October 2005

To r Sea each far ou er r s

avelength centrofin@centrofin.gr

CENTRO-NEWS

Cenmar Family Corner

In this issue pg2

Hypertension

The launching of the “Cenmar Family Corner (CFC)� took place on

July 23rd, 2005 at the CENMAR/MANILA premises.

A long Management prospect became a reality.

pg4-5

COLREGS

Fifty one (51) allottees / representatives of the seafarers, together with their children, gathered for the event. The meeting started with an opening prayer led by Mrs Maricel F. Marquez (MTF) and followed by a welcome address given by Mr Manuel M. David (MVD), the Acting General Manager/Chief Accountant.

pg6

Attitude

This editor, as CENMAR's founder and one of its Director, welcomed this opportunity and explained the forthcoming objectives of the CFC: To promote unity and develop good camaraderie among the Filipino seafarers Family on board CENMAR vessels To provide means of support to CENMAR Family in time of need, such as natural calamity, death of immediate members of the family, serious accident and post traumatic psychological attendance To develop closer relationship and constant communication between the seafarers' family and the company in order to alleviate immediate concerns To determine every seaman's family welfare and general conditions by providing moral support wherein help is possible and/or is possibly extended

pg8

5 Laws of Life You Can Depend On

cont'd to pg 2

MEDICAL FITNESS AND THE NEW YORK-STATEN ISLAND FERRY CRASH

Leadership & Management

(by IMHA News Flash to All Members) The National Transportation Safety Board report on this incident on 15 October 2003 has recently been published. Ten passengers were killed and 70 injured. The report identifies the health of the navigating officer, the use of impairing medication and the poor quality of his seafarer medical examination as major contributors to the crash.

Limitations in the operator's safety management systems (SMS) also played a part. The findings may have implications for maritime medical assessment practice and the quality standards applied to the assessment of seafarer fitness.

(The full report of 150 pages is available at: http:/www.ntsb.gov/publictn/2005/MAR0501.pdf ).

l

VIDEOTEL Marine International, in conjunction with the Nautical Institute and other leading authorities, is delighted to be launching shortly an exciting new multimedia, self study course for ship's officers, under the caption title.

This comprehensive CD-ROM course concentrates not only on the skills needed by senior managers at sea, but also includes skills required by junior officers and acts as a stepping stone towards more formal management training. With a wide range of interactive multi-media techniques the programme includes self-study text, self- assessment, formal assessments and external monitoring, and certification.

cont'd to pg 3

cont'd to pg 3

TO THE MASTER: Please circulate this Bulletin to the CREW.

Cenmar Family Corner cont'd from pg 1

HYPERTENSION: the silent killer (By Fe Almogela-Bacungan, M.D. S.M. LAZO Medical Clinic , Manila).

One of the greatest catastrophes in life is living unsuspectingly in what is already killing you. Being unaware of what is going on inside you is like suicide in its sweetest form and a crime no one else will be accused of…but you. More often than that it is when you start feeling something inside your own body and then you realize that everything could have been done to have it prevented it and you did nothing till it was too late.

The World Health Organization has identified hypertension as one of the top ten global burden risks factors. It is estimated to affect approximately one billion individuals worldwide and is as prevalent in many developing countries as it is in the developed world.

Blood pressure is the force of blood against the walls of the blood vessels. When it is high, it means something is holding back the easy flow of blood. This often happens because the blood vessels become too narrow causing the heart to pump harder to push blood through the narrow vessels.

Ø To allow and encourage every seaman's family, their allottees or their authorised representative to actively participate in all the programmes and the activities and to attend the meetings initiated by the company Ø Secure the appropriate funds to successfully run this association.

After a 'happy' meal the election of the Officers took place, in a very orderly way (no EDSA). The results are as follows: Board of Officers: President Mrs Gracelda Andaya (Captain E. Andaya) Vice President Mrs Marilou Sumugat (Captain L.Sumugat) Secretary Mrs Emma Marina Dela Cruz (C/E F.Dela Cruz) Treasurer(s) Mrs Florna Gazmen (Captain Gazmen) Mrs Nida Gabornez (Captain M.Garbonez) P.R.O Mrs Cora Lagapa (Captain S.Lagapa) Mrs Fredely Beltran (C/E Beltran) Auditor Mrs Gliceria Po (C/E L.Po) Mrs Elionor Chan (C/M M.Basillas) Area Coordinator: NCR Mrs Leony Mondejar (2/E D.Mondejar) North Luzon Mrs Madel Guzman (C/E T.Guzman) South Luzon Mrs Emma Ito (D/Cadet N. Ito) Visayas Mrs Vina Maslog (ABS E.Maslog) On August 13, 2005 the first meeting of the CFC Officers took place in the Cenmar premises. The name was changed, more appropriately, to “CENMAR FAMILY CIRCLE”. The agenda dealt with the Officers' term of service (3 years) and the details and date of the Installation and Oath taking in the presence of Cenmar's President Attorney Gregorio F. Ortega, after mass (October 22). WAVELENGTH has offered to dedicate enough space for the CFC's Officers coverage of activities and thus become a platform of airing problems a/o grievances, amongst other news.

The 'human dignity' will have to be guarded by positive regard, appreciation, respect, support and compassion. Ed.

Blood pressure is expressed as two numbers. The one above is systolic, the pressure when the heart is pumping and blood flows in full force.

The diastolic is the pressure when the heart is relaxed between heart beats and the blood pressure drops.

Blood Pressure Measurement: Category Systolic (mmHg) Normal less 130 High Normal 130-139 Mild, Stage I HPN 140-159 Moderate, Stage II 160-179 Severe, Stage III more than 180

Diastolic (mmHg) less 85 85-95 90-99 100-109 more than 110

The cause of hypertension to 90-95% of patients is unknown. This is classified as PRIMARY or ESSENTIAL. Genetic factors play an important role. Children with one or both hypertensive parents tend to develop hypertension in later life. Environmental factors have also been identified as causes such as: Increased salt intake with genetic predisposition. Salt is vital to health but our bodies need only 0.2 gm. of salt per day. For many of us, it is difficult to reduce salt intake because of the so-called “hidden salt” in processed foods.

Excessive animal fat and bad cholesterol in our diet can cause narrowing of the blood vessels (arteriosclerosis). Some fats are friendly to the heart because they remove the bad cholesterol (light density lipoproteins, LDL) from various places where it has been deposited and take it back to the liver for disposal. These are called high density lipoproteins (I-IDL) or good cholesterol found in oleic and mega 3 acids. Good sources are olives, turnips, spinach, peanuts, sesame seeds, bananas.

Staten preparations are available to lower the blood cholesterol.

Obese people are five times more likely to have hypertension.

Anyone who is 20% overweight is considered obese.

Excessive alcohol intake elevates the blood pressure by increasing the blood catecholamines Cigarette Smoking

!

!

! ! !

- pg 2 -

cont'd from pg 1

MEDICAL FITNESS AND THE NEW YORK-STATEN ISLAND FERRY CRASH The key health related aspects are:

>The navigating officer failed to slow the ferry and change course on his

! ! !

approach to the pier. Impact at speed caused damage and injuries.

Chronic Stress Sedentary or inactive lifestyle A condition called Polycythemia due to the increased viscosity of the blood.

In the remaining 5 to 10% of patients, hypertension is classified as SECONDARY to an underlying disease or abnormality such as: ! Renal parenchyma diseases of the kidneys ! Decrease kidney function among diabetics and aging. ! Hormonal diseases, Cushing syndrome, adrenal adenoma, hyperaldosteronism ! Eclampsia, hypertension associated with pregnancy. ! Drug induced such as oral contraceptives, steroids, decongestants (cold preparations)

RISKS OF HYPERTENSION: - Can damage the blood vessels; bleeds the brain leading to a STROKE. - You may never speak or walk again.

- Blockage of the coronary arteries; the heart doesn't get enough blood supply, heart muscles die and will lead to heart attack.

- Heart muscles become weak and one will develop congestive heart failure - Blood vessels of the kidneys become narrow. The kidneys get less blood, filter less fluid causing build up of toxins and wastes in the body.

- Can increase the risk of ruptured aneurysm (dilatation of a segment of an artery) which is fatal due to massive hemorrhage/bleeding.

- Can cause the blood vessels of the eyes to rupture causing impaired vision or blindness.

GOALS / WAYS OF CONTROLLING BLOOD PRESSURE

! ! ! ! ! ! !

Identification of the underlying cause by your doctor.

Maintaining healthy weight and diet, low fat, low salt, plenty of vegetables and fruits.

Regular exercise. Choose an activity you enjoy.

Lifestyle modification, quit smoking, lower alcohol consumption.

Inhibit from stress, have relaxation and positive attitude in life.

Regular blood pressure check-up and visits to your doctor.

Adhere to your maintenance medications. Never skip, never take a double dose.

Beware! Hypertension is almost symptom free. It can take away your life without warning.

AIR TRAVEL Why do your ears pop in an airplane?

As the cabin pressure falls to four fifths of its normal pressure all trapped air in our body expands. If the cabin was not pressurised the air would expand by four (4) times.

Why do long haul flights fly in a zigzag route?

So that they are never more than two hours of flying time away from an airport where they can land in an emergency.

Note: Above the height of 3,048 metres the human body has to be supplied with additional oxygen

>There was no second lookout at the time >It appears that the officer remained standing but was incapacitated and only came to after the impact

>At the time he appeared to regard the incident as his fault and subsequently attempted suicide, but refused to give evidence

>He had a complex medical history with hypertension, back pain etc and was taking potentially impairing medications. He had not taken steps to inform anyone of this >The doctor who examined him was a partner of his family physician (the USCG medical examination can be done by any doctor as well as by some other health professionals) >The examining doctor knew of his condition and medication but did not declare them on the medical form (subsequent press reports suggest that he may face criminal charges) >The report noted a number of shortcomings in the USCG medical examination procedures (these are well known, have led to a more stringent voluntary system of health assessments for US seafarers and have resulted in some national maritime authorities, including UK, not recognising their certificates). The investigators did not consider that these shortcomings contributed to the accident but made recommendations for change.

The initiatives being taken by the International Maritime Health Association on both, the development of more soundly based and valid medical fitness standards, and, on the quality assurance of those providing maritime health services, are important contributions to reducing the risk of, similar incidents, happening again in the future.

Tim Carter, President IMHA, 29 June 2005.

Leadership & Management cont'd from pg 1 The course, briefly, consists of the following topics: ! Course Introduction (accreditation, registration, assignments) ! Learning to Learn (how people learn) ! Leaders and Managers (differences & similarities) ! The Shipping Business (industry, objectives, costs, legal, finances) ! Working With People ! Managing Yourself (time, objectives, behaviour, communication, negotiation) ! Managing Tasks (budget, problems, risks, change, investigation) ! Context (culture, motivation) ! Helping Individuals to Perform (praise & criticism, coaching, delegation, appraisal) ! Working with Groups (team work, run a meeting & training session, run a drill) ! When Things Go Wrong (stress, conflict, bullying, harassment, discipline, grievances) This editor has had the opportunity to view the above contents. Very shortly this highly effective CD will be part of our Training programme, both ashore and shipboard.

- pg 3 -

ule 16

COLR

A Guide to G RULE 16

Every vessel which is directed to keep out of the way of another vessel shall, so far as possible, take early and substantial action to keep well clear.

RULE 16 Keep Everybody Happy!

DO NOT HESITATE! Alter early and adequately enough to show the other vessel early what you are doing.

RULE 17

Action by Stand(a) (i)

Where one of two vessels is to keep out of the way the other shall keep her course and speed. (ii) The latter vessel may, however, take action to avoid collision by her manoeuvre alone, as soon as it becomes apparent to her that the vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action in compliance with these Rules. (b) When, from any cause, the vessel required to keep her course and speed finds herself so close that collision cannot be avoided by the action of the give-way vessel alone, she shall take such action as will best aid to avoid collision. (c) A power-driven vessel that takes action in a crossing situation in accordance with sub-paragraph (a)(ii) of this Rule to avoid collision with another power-driven vessel, shall, if the circumstances of the case admit, not alter course to port for a vessel on her own port side. (d) This Rule does not relieve the give-way vessel of her obligation to keep out of the way.

- pg 4 -

REGS

Good Practice

l

e

(Compliments NoE)

Action by Give-way vessel Confirm your alteration make sure that your action has had the desired effect by checking the increase in the CPA on the radar.

KEEP EVERYBODY HAPPY!

! ! !

Following Rule 16 makes life easier for all vessels.

If the watchkeeper on the other vessel is happy with the situation and with your alteration there is less likelihood of he/she doing anything unexpected.

Treat other vessels as you would like to be treated yourself.

Apply some courtesy to seamanship and common sense.

-on Vessel

g

RULE 17 Is She Altering?

THERE ARE TWO STAGES TO RULE 17

! 17(a)(ii) At some distance off

when "as soon as it becomes apparent... that the vessel required to keep out of the way is not taking appropriate action...", you may take action to avoid collision. ! PROVIDED you do not alter to port for a vessel on your port side in a crossing situation. ! 17(b) At close quarters when "collision cannot be avoided by the give-way vessel alone", you should take the best action to avoid collision.

- pg 5 -

Attitude

Hardly a day passes without the word “attitude” entering a conversation. It may be used as a complaint or a compliment. It could mean the difference between a promotion or a demotion. Sometimes we sense it, other times we see it. Yet it is difficult to explain.

Attitude is a key concept in social psychology.

In academic parlance attitudes are positive or negative views of an “attitude object”: a person, behaviour, or event. Research has shown that people can also be “ambivalent” towards a target, meaning that they simultaneously possess a positive and a negative attitude towards it.

Unlike personality attitudes are expected to change as a function of experience, and are numerous theories of attitude formation and attitude change.

Our Joke:

The attitude is an inward feeling expressed by behaviour.

That is why an attitude can be seen without a word being said. Haven't we all noticed “the pout” of the sulkers, or “the jutted jaw” of the determined? Of all the things we wear, our expression is the most important. May be many times, when melancholic, we have been prompted to “Put on a happy face”. It is a reminder that our expressions usually reflect our inward feelings.

(Be

Since an attitude often is expressed by our body language and by the looks on our face, it can be contagious. A hardened attitude is a dreaded disease.

It causes a closed mind and a dark future. When the attitude is positive and conducive to growth, the mind expands and the progress begins.

Attitude is: ü The 'advance man' of our true selves ü Its roots are inward but its fruit is outward ü Our best friend or our worst enemy ü More honest and more consistent than our words ü An outward look based on past experiences ü A thing which draws people to us or repels them ü Never content until it is expressed ü The speaker of our past ü The prophet of our future.

When the attitude we possess places others first and we see people as important, than our perspective will reflect their viewpoint, not ours. Until we walk in the other person's shoes and see life through another's eyes, we will be like the man who angrily jumped out of his car after a collision with another car. “Why don't you people watch where you are driving?” he shouted

Parrot fashion

Wise words

(Compliments france telecom)

When weeding the garden, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.

Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realise that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.

The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.

How is it that one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

Have you noticed that, now that everyone has a camcorder, none talks about seeing UFOs as they used to?

All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

Have you ever noticed that, when you blow in a dog's face, it gets mad at you, but when you take a dog on a car journey, it sticks its head out of the window?

- pg 6 -

A WOMAN bought a large, beautiful parrot from a pet shop for £20, and was told by the pet shop owner that the price was so low because the bird had previously lived in a house of ill repute.

The woman thought about this, but decided she had to have the bird anyway. She took it home, hung the bird's cage in her living room, and waited for it to say something.

The bird looked around the room, then at her, and said, “New house, new madam.”

The woman was a bit shocked, but then thought, “That's really not so bad.”

When her two teenage daughters returned from school the bird said, “New house, new madam, new girls.” The girls and the woman were a bit offended, but then began to laugh, considering how and where the parrot had been raised. Moments later, the woman's husband came home from work. The bird looked at him and said, “Hello, Keith.”

(Compliments www.maritimeadvocate.com)

C.

M

M AGE ENT I N AN

IN

CE

NTROF

a winner) wildly. “You are the fourth car I 've hit today!”

The ability to step into other's shoes at times removes the focus of anger.

People are different (and funny). Their different personality types translate into different working attitudes. If you are unable to adjust to different personality types, you will probably mainly attract the ones that are similar to yourself. You will not appreciate what the others do, neither will others appreciate what you do. If you do recognise the different types of people and learn about them, then there is no limit to whom you can deal with.

As per John C. Maxwell the attitude axioms are: q Our attitude determines our approach to life q Our attitude determines our relationship with people q Our attitude at the beginning of a task will affect its outcome more that anything else q Our attitude can turn our problems into blessings q Our attitude can give us an uncommonly positive perspective q Often our attitude is the only difference between success and failure What is your attitude towards attitude? Ed. (From various sources)

QUOTATIONS

Power is the capacity to translate intention into reality and sustain it Most projects fail or succeed before they even begin (note: check the attitude) Stand Tall: Command Respect.

Respect Command

On Friday 22 April 2005 more than a hundred people from twenty-six countries took it in turns to read Don Quixote aloud. They included Spanish cabinet ministers, television presenters, school children, actors, pop stars and fishermen. Prisoners read, via satellite, from their cells. One passage was even submitted as a text message. The reading took 48 hours. It was an extraordinary tribute to an extraordinary comic masterpiece on its 400th anniversary.

Its author would doubtless have been astonished by the fanfare; amused too that his novel,(which made little difference to his own straitened circumstances) had become one of the world's most famous and influential book. What became as a parody of the fashionable chivalric romances of his day, turned into a national epic. Through the odyssey of Don Quixote, the confused knight/errant who tilts at windmills, and his long/suffering companion Sancho Panza, Cervantes painted a rich and profound portrait of Spanish life in the 17th century, But its hero was a man for all seasons and all ages; an Everyman figure whose desire to challenge the established order of things, whose idealistic vision of the world, has struck answering chords in writers ever since, from Moliere and Henry Fielding to Dostoyevsky and Graham Greene.

“Are we not all noble knights passing through the world caught in a dream?” asked Sigmund Freud, after reading Cervantes' masterpiece, while Che Guevara wrote, in a farewell to his parents: “Once again I feel under my heels the ribs of Rozinante. I return to the trail with my shield on my arm… I send you a final embrace.”

Cervantes was a real war hero. He lost the use of his left hand while fighting at the battle of Lepanto against the Ottoman Turks; was captured by a Barbary corsair and spent five years as a prisoner in Algiers. He knew war to be a hellish, brutal business, as far removed from the idealised scenes of

by Miguel De Cervantes fashionable romantic literature as it was possible (1547-1616) to imagine. And it was this gap between literature and life that inspired this great novel.

Don Quixote tells the story of an aging nobleman who has read one ballad too many, and sets out to revive the spirit of 'knight errant' (archaic or literary: travelling in search of adventure) in the unlikely surroundings of the Spanish central plains.

Memories come to mind of the bony old nag named Rozinante, the faithful Sancho Panza, at his side, and his lovely lady Dulcinea in reality a peasant girl with a hairy chest and a reek of garlic.

Unique literature. Happy reading.

- pg 7 -

Blessed is he who expects no gratitude and happy is he who seeks no appreciation Vision without action is merely a dream.

Action without vision just passes the time.

Vision and action can change the world The most important single ingredient to the formula of success is knowing how to get along with people Ability is what you are able of doing; Motivation determines what you do; Attitude determines how well you do it If you don't like something change it. If you can't change it, change the way you look at it If you do not know how to lose you will never know how to win The difference between stupidity and genius is that genius has its limits A E // E=m.c2

5

Laws of Life You Can Depend On 1This, too, shall pass.

3Ask, and you shall receive.

Nothing stays the same. The only constant in life is change.

With every decision we make, we initiate change. Even when we decide not to decide, life still goes on, and changes still occur.

When we are in a state of discomfort, sadness, grief, or pain, we know that because life goes on, change will bring us some kind of relief. And because even comfort, happiness, and all good things also pass, we know that we need to appreciate and cherish each precious, fleeting moment.

People won't know what you want unless you ask for it. Dreams and goals are just wishes until you act on them, and acting on them often requires that you ask for answers, for assistance, or for something tangible. It takes a lot of courage to ask for help, but when you come forward, only then will the world know what to give you. Just ask and know that miracles can happen.

2Time heals.

The timepiece of life never stops. Neither does it pause for those who celebrate, speed up for those who are impatient, nor slow down for those who fear tomorrow. Time ticks a regular rhythm that steadily brings new moments, new days, and new seasons. As time pushes forward, we take new steps, face new challenges, and create new opportunities. And as life goes on, we are forced to move past our episodes of disappointment, sorrow, or despair. More than anything else, time heals not just broken bones but broken hearts as well.

4You can have anything, but not everything.

Life offers us infinite possibilities. With hard work, determination, and perseverance, we can achieve anything. If we are willing to pay the price and go the extra mile, we can have whatever our hearts desire. But no matter how hard we try, we can't have everything. Life is a balancing act of wins, losses, and trade-offs... we gain some and we lose some.

5What goes around comes around.

It's the universal law of nature: do to others what you want others to do to you, because whatever you sow, you reap; whatever you give, you get back ten-fold. It doesn't hurt to smile, or be kind, or extend a helping hand. You never know when or how, but every act of goodness always returns to the GIVER. Give one today and receive ten tomorrow.

M

AGEMENT I N AN

C.

CENTRO-NEWS

NTROF

IN

Wavelength

Articles written in this bulletin do not necessarily reflect the views or policies of CENTROFIN. DISCLAIMER. The contents provided herewith are for general information purposes only; not intended to replace or otherwise contradict the detailed instructions issued by the owners, flag etc.

CE

(Contributed by E L-C)

Editor: Cmdr Nicholas A. Iliopoulos Staff Captain - Human Resources Manager Tel: +30.210 8983.305 Fax: +30.210 8983.231 E-mail: nai@centrofin.gr Design-Production: www.paradox.com.gr Tel: +30.210 6560.832