There is a wide range of topics in this issue, but the one thing that stands out is the number of contributions made by our Seafarers. Moreover, it is quite apparent that their submissions are of a pleasingly high standard.
In the Nostalgia section, Captains Adesh Tungare and Rommel Reyes provide a vivid insight into parts of their journeys with the Company, while the Voices from the Fleet contributors, Captain Wilson C. Santoile, Captain Viromel Lusdoc and Chief Cook Rodolfo Jr. D. Alunday, describe what they feel is important to communicate to our readers. In both sections the accounts highlight what events enhance positivity and well-being. At this point, I would like to thank Chara Markatzinou for encouraging our Seafarers to become confident writers who have been able to add new, very interesting perspectives to Wavelength. Reader interest is well maintained by Natassa Sakellariou, whose Technical article covers crucial environmental issues and the corresponding responses of the maritime industry. As regards the Marine Operations submission, a new contributor, Captain Petros Lalousis, focuses on timely preparations for PSC Inspections, while George Magioras makes a welcome return to cover the visit of Cenmar Ukraine to a Company vessel for the Crew Department. As
for the Safety First submission, the message is clear: you can never be reminded too often that your safety must always uppermost in your mind. It is a message that you should think about until it becomes second nature to you!
Likewise, the Mental Well-Being section offers food for thought in the form of a brief examination of Emotional Intelligence, an ability that can help you vastly improve your people skills. Last, but certainly not least, the Food Culture section containing mouthwatering creations is served up by the galley team aboard M/V Casta Diva.
Once again, I would like to express my gratitude to all the contributors to this issue. Their submissions, which cover a range of topics and perspectives, have put Wavelength on a new improved course.
I sincerely hope that you enjoy this issue of Wavelength. If you have any comments, suggestions or questions regarding the content, please do not hesitate to contact me at contact@wavelength.gr.
Best wishes, Nick Seaman
M/V AGIOS NIKOLAOS at SNC Constanta Shipyard – 1st Special Survey CENMAR UKRAINE STAFF VISIT
on 2 & 3/ 8/2023
Find out more about the visit on page 10.
Onboard Promotions
In the second quarter of 2023, thirty three of our Seafarers were promoted. While this impressive number is not the highest since the list of onboard promotions has been included in Wavelength, it contains the largest proportion of our Seafarers who have reached the top rung of the promotional ladder. The list of those promoted, including four who are now Masters and two who are now Chief Engineers together with their vessels and promotion details in chronological/alphabetical order appears in the table below.
FERNANDO Peter Hearty Unock Fernando
Jayson
James William
John
Maksym
Mark Allan
Joey
Frank Kevin
Michael Sam
Darren
Chandan
Each and every one of our Seafarers on the list, from those who have completed their period as trainees to those who have taken on great responsibilities, are deserving of the warmest congratulations. Your hard work and commitment to the Company are greatly appreciated and will never be taken for granted. Thank you all for your efforts, which will continue to help your families cope with the challenges we all face on a daily basis.
IMO MEPC 80 Summary
Global climate change and global warming is no longer a theoretical threat but an established fact. Now more than ever, we are experiencing the signs of a changing climate on a daily basis. From a global temperature rise to melting ice, the evidence of a warming planet abounds.
Of course, the Earth’s climate has changed throughout its history. However the current warming is progressing at a rate not seen
in the past 10,000 years. It is undeniable that human activities have produced the Greenhouse Gases that have trapped more of the Sun’s energy in the Earth’s systems. This extra energy has warmed the atmosphere, ocean and land, leading to widespread and rapid changes in the atmosphere, ocean and biosphere.
By Natassa Sakellariou
Figure 1: This chart shows global temperatures deviations for every July since the 1880s having as a reference value the 1951-1980 average July temperature. NASA clocks July 2023 as the hottest month recorded since 1880.
The effects of human-caused global warming are happening now, are irreversible for people alive today and will worsen as long as greenhouse gases increase in concentration in the atmosphere.
Under the pressure of the rapidly changing climate, the IMO has determinedly included in their agenda the regulation of Green House Gas emissions from ships in order to impede the progress of the greenhouse effect and reverse its impacts on natural and human environments.
The IMO has developed global regulations on energy efficiency for ships and continues to take concrete actions to ensure that international shipping bears its fair share of responsibility in addressing climate change.
From 3rd-7th July 2023 the 80th session of the IMO’s Marine Environment Protection Committee was held in London adopting a revised GHG Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from ships with enhanced targets to tackle harmful emissions.
Figure 2: This map shows global temperature deviations for July 2023, reflecting how much the global temperature was above or below the 1951-1980 average for July.
The items below are included in the highlights of MEPC 80 and will be further expanded in this article:
- Adoption of a revised GHG Strategy with strengthened ambitions
- Adoption of guidelines for lifecycle assessment of marine fuels.
Reduction of Greenhouse Gas (GHG) emissions
The IMO is committed to supporting UN Sustainable Development Goal 13 - to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts - in line with the 2015 Paris Agreement to cut greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions which cause global warming.
The International Maritime Organization (IMO) adopted the first set of international mandatory measures to improve the energy efficiency of a ship on 15th July 2011. Since then, the IMO has taken additional action, including further regulatory measures, the adoption of the Initial IMO GHG strategy in 2018, and, in 2023, the revised Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships.
Revision of the IMO GHG Strategy
The 2023 IMO GHG Strategy increases the levels of ambition compared to the Initial IMO Strategy on the Reduction of GHG Emissions from Ships. The levels of ambition and indicative checkpoints shall take into consideration the Well-to-Wake (WtW) GHG emissions of marine fuels, as addressed in the Guidelines on lifecycle GHG intensity of marine fuels (LCA Guidelines) with the overall objective of reducing GHG emissions of international shipping without implementing a shift to other sectors.
The ambitions set out during MEPC 80 are summarized as follows:
- Net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping close to 2050
- Uptake of zero or near zero GHG emissions technologies, fuels and/or energy sources to represent at least 5%, striving for 10%, of the energy used by international shipping by 2030
- To reduce CO2 emissions per transport work (carbon intensity), as an average across international shipping, by at least 40% by 2030, compared to 2008.
The Committee also established two indicative checkpoints to reach net-zero GHG emissions from international shipping:
- To reduce the total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 20%, striving for 30% by 2030, compared to 2008
- To reduce the total annual GHG emissions from international shipping by at least 70%, striving for 80% by 2040, compared to 2008
The Committee agreed on the following timelines for the candidate measures set out in the 2023 IMO GHG Strategy:
- The review of the short-term mandatory goal-based technical and operational measures shall be completed by 1st January 2026.
- The basket of mid-term GHG reduction measures shall be finalized and agreed by the Committee by 2025. Other candidate mid-term GHG reduction measures could be finalized and agreed between 2023 and 2030.
- Long-term measures could be finalized and agreed by the Committee beyond 2030, to be developed as part of the 2028 review of the IMO GHG Strategy.
The IMO GHG Strategy is subject to a five-yearly review, with the next review to happen in 2028.
Figure 3: Timeline of candidate Short-, Mid- and Long-Term GHG Reduction Measures
Development of Marine Fuel Life Cycle Guidelines
MEPC80 adopted the “Guidelines on Life Cycle GHG intensity of Marine Fuels” (LCA Guidelines), which set out methods for calculating Well-to-Tank (WtT), Tank-to-Wake (TtW) and Well-toWake (WtW) GHG emissions for all fuels and other energy carriers (e.g. electricity used for shore power) used on-board a ship.
The relevant Greenhouse Gases (GHG) included are:
• carbon dioxide (CO2),
• methane (CH4) and
• nitrous oxide (N2O).
The guidelines aim to cover the whole fuel life cycle (with specific boundaries), from feedstock, extraction/cultivation/recovery, feedstock conversion to a fuel product, transportation as well as distribution/bunkering, and fuel utilization on board a ship.
In addition, the guidelines will also specify sustainability aspects for marine fuels and define a Fuel Lifecycle Label (FLL), which carries information about fuel type, feedstock (feedstock type and feedstock nature/carbon source), conversion/production process (process type and energy used in the process), GHG emission factors, information on fuel blends and sustainability themes/ aspects. The guidelines will specify the elements of FLL subject to verification/certification and include a general procedure on how the certification scheme/standards could be identified.
The IMO guidelines will be kept under review and developed further in the coming years, focusing particularly on default emission factors, sustainability criteria, fuel certification and the handling of on-board carbon capture.
Candidate mid-term GHG reduction measures
The 2023 GHG Strategy states that a basket of candidate measure(s), delivering on the reduction targets, should be developed and finalized, and comprise both:
1. a technical element, namely a goal-based marine fuel standard regulating the phased reduction of the marine fuel's GHG intensity; and
2. an economic element, on the basis of a maritime GHG emissions pricing mechanism.
The mid-term GHG reduction measures should effectively promote the energy transition of shipping and provide the world fleet with an incentive while contributing to a level playing field and a just and equitable transition.
The basket of mid-term GHG reduction measures should be finalized and agreed by the Committee by 2025. Dates of entry into force and when the measure(s) can effectively start to reduce GHG emissions could be defined for the basket or for each measure individually.
Identification and protection of special areas and Particularly Sensitive Sea Areas (PSSAs)
MEPC 80 also agreed that:
- The Red Sea and the Gulf of Aden special areas under MARPOL Annex I (Oil) take effect from 1 January 2025
- The Red Sea special area under MARPOL Annex V (Garbage) takes effect from 1 January 2023
- A new PSSA in the North-Western Mediterranean Sea bordering France, Italy, Monaco and Spain to protect whales from international shipping is to be designated.
Amendments to the format of the Ballast Water Record Book
Amendments to the format of Ballast Water Record Book were adopted. These require records in terms of Codes (letter) and Items (number), similar to the format of the Oil Record Book
Figure 4: “Well-to-Wake” approach is critical to assessing lifecycle greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions from marine fuels.
Nostalgia (Part 1)
Captain Adesh TUNGARE
My journey with our Company started in November 2017. I joined M/T Merbabu and we went for dry docking in China. I got to know the Company better and vice versa. Fine tuning had taken place by the end of the first contract and since then I have been with our Company as I have never felt the need to change company. Major credit goes to a very strong HR with a personalised approach which I haven’t seen in many big companies that I worked for in the past. Later on from mid-2020, I took this opportunity to work as SBTRN, which involves varied responsibilities and I am still enjoying this role.
Pic 2 – Japanese sailors rescue by M/T Semeru on 23rd May 2018. This was the most memorable event in my entire sea life.
On May 23rd 2018, M/T Semeru received a distress signal through the BASARNAS RCC INDONESIA to engage in the Search and Rescue of the small sailing yacht s/y Fukumaru. We acted immediately and managed to save the 3 Japanese citizens. The three sailors were brought on board the ship in good health without having suffered any injuries. The disembarkation was arranged at the discharging port in coordination with local authorities and the ship’s P&I Club.
Pic 1 – Merbabu dry docking in China, dinner with Shipyard Managers and C/E Dilip Kumar Raina, Ch/Off Dharmendra Kumar, Marine Superintendent Mr. Yiannis Papageorgiou , Superintendent Engineer Mr. Paul Birleanu & Technical Fleet Supervisor Mr. Michalis Maritchas.
Compiled by Chara Markatzinou
The Importance of Effective Preparation for Port State Control Inspections
Port State Control (PSC) inspections are an essential aspect of maritime safety and environmental protection. They are carried out by the maritime authorities of a port state (the country where a ship is currently docked or anchored) to ensure that the vessels calling at their ports comply with international maritime conventions and standards.
The primary objectives of PSC inspections are the following:
1. Ensure Safety: PSC inspections aim to verify that a vessel is in compliance with international safety standards. This includes checking that the ship's equipment, systems, and crew are adequately maintained and prepared for safe operations.
2. Prevent Pollution: PSC inspections also focus on environmental protection. Inspectors assess a vessel's compliance with international regulations related to preventing pollution from ships, such as the International Convention for the Prevention of Pollution from Ships (MARPOL).
3. Verify Documentation: Port state control inspectors review a ship's documentation, including its certificates, crew qualifications, records of maintenance and operations to ensure they are up to date and in order.
4. Detain Unfit Vessels: If a vessel is found to be in serious violation of safety or environmental standards, the port state authorities have the authority to detain the ship until the necessary corrections are made. This is done to protect the safety of the crew, passengers and environment.
5. Deter Non-Compliance:
PSC inspections also serve as a deterrent against substandard shipping practices. Thus, vessel owners and operators are more likely to maintain their vessels in compliance with international regulations to avoid delays, fines, or detentions.
PSC inspections are carried out by properly trained, experienced inspectors from the port state, and they may target specific aspects of a ship's safety and environmental performance. These inspections can be scheduled or unannounced, and they may be more frequent for vessels with a history of non-compliance or those operating in high-risk areas.
The Paris Memorandum of Understanding (Paris MoU) and other regional agreements outline the guidelines and procedures for PSC inspections, helping to ensure consistency and effectiveness across different port states. These agreements also maintain a database of inspection results, which can be used to identify repeat offenders and prioritize inspections.
Port State Control inspections play a crucial role in enhancing maritime safety, protecting the marine environment, and promoting compliance with international regulations within the shipping industry.
By Captain Petros Lalousis
Preparation for a PSC inspection is vital and nothing should be left to chance. Our safety management system incorporates procedures to prepare for, and to deal with PSC inspections. All systems and areas should be checked in an organized and effective way.
The entire ship’s crew should contribute to the common goal and welcome a PSC inspection as an opportunity to present a wellmaintained ship which is run by a safety oriented crew.
Every port has the right to perform a PSC inspection. The ship must be prepared at all times according to the following guidelines:
1. Preparations for a potential PSC inspection should start as soon as the ship leaves port to take advantage of the transit period to the next port.
2. The checklists included in our Safety Management System are used to cover all areas and systems. One senior officer may take the role of the PSC inspector, simulate an inspection and go through the checklist noting down any deficiencies.
3. Reference should be made to the information provided through our agreement with Risk4Sea:
- Port specific analysis of PSC deficiencies of the last 36 months
- Country specific analysis of PSC deficiencies of the last 36 months
- Deficiencies profile for a specific port
- Port Call Risk Assessment for the specific ship and port
4. Any deficiencies noted during the ship’s preparatory inspection should be recorded and dealt with by the ship’s crew.
5. Prompt requisitions of materials/spares/shore workshop attendance are to be utilized for those deficiencies that cannot be rectified by the ship’s crew.
6. The record of deficiencies noted during the preparatory PSC inspection are to be communicated to Head Office.
7. A specific note of those deficiencies that require assistance from shore (materials, spares or workshop attendance) should be made.
The effort to maintain a safe ship is an ongoing process and the well informed are in an advantageous position. A wealth of information exists in the form of annual & quarterly reports from major organizations summarizing the findings of PSC inspections throughout the world. These reports are extremely useful as an aid to ensure that the vessel is routinely prepared for PSC inspections:
- Annual & quarterly reports of Classification Societies
- Annual reports of regional Port State Control Regimes (e.g.: Paris MoU, Toyo MoU, USCG) - Guidelines for undergoing Port State Control Inspections by Flag Authorities
Good preparation combined with the ship’s crew courteous and professional conduct during the inspection guarantees an outstanding result.
Wishing you calm seas and safe voyages!
Crew Department
M/V AGIOS NIKOLAOS at SNC Constanta Shipyard
1 st Special Survey - CENMAR UKRAINE STAFF VISIT on 2 & 3/ 8/2023
By George Margioras
Our ship, the M/T Agios Nikolaos, recently went through her first special survey and drydock at the SNC Constanta Shipyard in Romania from July 11th to August 9th, 2023. This ship is a high-quality vessel, built at HYUNDAI MIPO DOCKYARD in South Korea in 2018.
On August 2nd and 3rd, 2023, we had a visit from our colleagues CENMAR Ukraine while the ship was in drydock. This visit was a significant moment because it was the first time our Ukrainian team had a chance to see our ship up close. The visit took place over two days:
Day 1 - August 2nd, 2023
Mrs. Khrystyna Vshyvtsova, Miss Olha Vladimirova, Mrs. Natalia Grybyniuk
Day 2 - August 3rd, 2023
Mrs. Alla Dekhtyarenko, Miss Yelyzaveta Kozlova
During these visits, our team visited all areas of the ship, including the main deck, engine room, accommodation areas and the tanks. This was an excellent opportunity for our team to get a close look at how the ship operates and the work that happens during drydock. One exciting part of the visit was the chance to examine the ship's hull and underwater parts while she was out of the water in drydock. This helped our team better understand how we can keep the ship in excellent shape and ensure safety and environmental friendliness.
The M/T Agios Nikolaos is a great example of our high standards and our dedication to excellence.
This visit brought about a significant change in our daily routine on board. The presence of CENMAR staff made a noticeable impact. We want to express our heartfelt gratitude to the vessel's crew for their exceptional kindness and warm hospitality. We extend our best wishes to all our Seafarers, to have safe voyages and encounter calm seas during their contracts on board our vessels. Your dedication and hard work at sea are truly appreciated.
Mrs. Alla Dekhtyarenko, Miss Yelyzaveta Kozlova in engine control room along with Engine Officers
Mrs. Alla Dekhtyarenko , Miss Yelyzaveta Kozlova on the bridge
Mrs. Khrystyna Vshyvtsova, Miss Olha Vladimirova, Mrs. Natalia Grybyniuk
Success
Our lady of 13 years of age was restored to her former beauty at Wenchong Shipyard, Guangzhou, China from 10th June to 5th July 2023.
In 25 days, the team surmounted the enormous job in a limited time through good planning, dedication and hard work from officers and crew under the supervision of our Superintendent Engineers Mr. George Argyradis, Mr. Dimitris Iliopoulos and Mr. Emmanouil Tsainis, and thank goodness, everything went well.
A special mention must go to Chief Officer Jonathan L. Golingay, who was applauded by the DNV class surveyor for his exceptional leadership and assistance to ensure that all the work was done according to schedule: onwards to goal zero.
Stay safe.
By Capt. Wilson C. Santoile Master, M/V Alliance
SAFETY FIRSΤ!
MESSAGE FROM THE DPA:
Get Personal about Safety
Dear seafarers, from the SQE Department
Ultimate personal safety can be achieved when safe working habits become reflexes rather than self-initiated actions. For example, if a ball is thrown at your face, your hands will automatically move to stop the ball. When such reflexes take the form of safe practices and become a natural part of a seafarer’s working behavior, we will achieve our GOAL ZERO
How can someone achieve this natural instinct of a safety conscious mind to control their behaviour? The best incentive is our motto: GET HOME SAFE. Let’s try to enhance this. GET PERSONAL ABOUT SAFETY and try to use examples from a
family member to highlight the importance of carrying out a task safely. For example:
“Would you send your son to inspect this enclosed space?”
“Would you allow your daughter to use a boat to board the vessel today?”
“Would you let your wife use the grinding machine without the preparation and proper PPE?”
I wish you safe voyages and a safe return home,
Elli Moretti
SAFETY IS A STATE OF MINDACCIDENTS ARE ABSENCE OF MIND
TRUST: TEN Really Useful Safety Tips ALARMS - NEVER BYPASS OR TAKE THEM OUT OF SERVICE
1. Know your ship's alarm system and protection devices.
2. Pay special attention to the critical alarm circuits on board ship.
3. Equipment should never be restarted or put back into service without rectifying the cause of the alarm trip.
4. Any abnormal run indication should always be investigated even if the equipment is apparently running smoothly.
5. Alarms should not be bypassed or taken out of service without the authority of the Chief Engineer.
6. Follow your ship specific ENG-035 for proper maintenance.
7. When it is necessary to temporarily take alarms out of service provide alternative protection for personnel.
8. Re-establish them as soon as practicable.
9. Any defective ones must be replaced immediately.
10. When an alarm condition arises, never press the reset without IDENTIFYING the cause of the alarm.
High Temperature & Pressurised Systems
Fuel transfer systems move fuel from storage tanks to machinery. The temperatures and pressures of these systems are very high.
Therefore, working on these systems can be extremely dangerous! A sudden release of pressurised fuel can cause chemical burns and may lead to a fire.
SMS NEWS: Our PTW-006 form will soon be revised with a title change from “PRESSURE VESSEL WORK PERMIT” to “PRESSURISED CONTAINER/PIPELINE WORK PERMIT” plus a new format.
Detailed planning is important when preparing such maintenance tasks.
Confirm the system is isolated and prevented from use. Secure valves with locks and tag them. Display warning notices. The use of LOTO is particularly important for such tasks.
During the task beware of pressurised fluid and vapour that may be present inside.
CHECK OUT THIS BRIEF, BUT TO THE POINT VIDEO FROM WEST P&I (Learn the Ropes Series): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IY2jbJuWEm4
MV IRINA
Ahoy, fellow seafarers!
As we gear up to celebrate Seafarer’s Day every 25th June, let’s take a moment to appreciate the remarkable skills that define our profession!
Our onboard costume party on MV Irina was a vibrant testament to the incredible abilities we possess. From sailors with a navigational instrument in one hand and a coffee mug in the other, to engineers fixing engines while expertly juggling tools, and chefs whipping up culinary delights amid a sea of ingredients
– the dedication and prowess of seafarers never ceases to amaze. It is this unique ability to wear multiple hats while navigating the vast oceans that sets us apart. Whether it’s tackling complex machinery, ensuring safety and security, or providing top-notch hospitality, we truly embody the spirit of multitasking on a whole new level!
So, as we commemorate Seafarer’s Day, let’s celebrate not just our costumes but also the indispensable skills we possess.
Fair winds and smooth sailing!
Happy Father's Day to all the amazing seafaring dads out there!
On 18th June 2023, we celebrated the courageous fathers who navigate both the high seas and the joys of fatherhood. Your dedication, sacrifice, and unwavering love truly make you extraordinary.
Whether you're sailing across oceans or holding down the port while your loved ones are away from you, your strength and resilience inspire us all. You provide for your families, instill values, and create cherished memories, even from afar.
To all the seafaring fathers, we salute you for being the anchor in your children's lives, guiding them through the waves of life with wisdom and care. Your role as a father extends beyond the
horizon, and your influence shapes future generations.
On this special day, take a moment to reflect on the profound impact you've had on your children's lives. Your unwavering support and guidance have helped them grow into strong individuals who will continue to make waves in the world.
May this Father's Day be filled with love, appreciation, and heartfelt connections with your loved ones, both near and far. From all of us on board MV IRINA, thank you for being the Captains of your families' ships and for inspiring us with your incredible stories. Enjoy your well-deserved celebration.
May every day be a Father’s Day!
MV NILOS
I am Rodolfo Jr. D. Alunday. I am 59 years old. I was born in Negros Occidental and I am currently on board MV NILOS as Chief Cook. In 2004, I started my Career at Cenmar Manila as a messman. After four contracts all my hard work paid off and I was promoted to Asst. Chief Cook. I was happy at that time because promotion meant an additional increase in salary. However, that did not last long as at that time Company did away with the Assistant Cook position on every fleet vessel. I asked permission from our Crewing Manager if I could transfer to the Engine department for I was originally a Bachelor of Science graduate in Marine Engineering. But I was already 45 years old and he said that it was already too late for me to transfer to the Engine Department as a cadet at my age. He advised me to join again as a messman and if there was an opportunity he would promote me to Chief Cook. After perseverance and hard work, I finally got my chance and was promoted to Chief Cook. In this position I make sure that that crew have balanced nutritious meals within budget. I consider myself lucky for I didn’t have that much difficulty and the Company was very generous. But as they say, you cannot satisfy all the people all the time no matter what you do. So when I am on vacation, besides spending quality time with my family I take the opportunity to learn more and be better at what I do.
I was very thankful to our Company CENMAR for giving me the opportunity and still trusting me to join their vessels because with this job I am able to support my family and give them a good life. Throughout my years of experience of sailing the seas my advice to the younger generation aspiring to follow this career path of working on a merchant ship is to be ready to endure the worst situation, be ready to face the worst weather and sometimes difficult colleagues. Perseverance can be a game changer in this profession. If ever you get tired, just let it rest and do not quit. Love your work and don’t stop learning. Seafarers are known for the sacrifices we make as we may spend more time working at sea than with our family. In return, we have the ability to give them a brighter future.
Mental Well-Being
Emotional intelligence
Emotional Intelligence is the ability to recognize and manage your emotions, as well as the emotions of other people in the workplace.
Why is emotional intelligence important to leaders and managers?
One needs to remain calm when there are challenges in the workplace, or when negative emotions are hidden just below the surface, creating a toxic working environment. A leader with high Emotional Intelligence can also help to promote a workplace culture that doesn’t become toxic in the first place. Leaders with a high Emotional Quotient (EQ) can celebrate team balance and diversity, motivate and influence people as well as make decisions using critical thinking and positively influence strategy
What are the top 5 characteristics of emotional intelligence in leaders?
According to Daniel Goleman, the psychologist who popularized the term "emotional intelligence", EQ consists of:
1. Self-awareness
2. Self-regulation
3. Motivation
4. Empathy
5. Social skills
1. Self-awareness
By Chara Markatzinou
As a self-aware leader you know how you feel. You recognize how your emotions affect those around you. You acknowledge your ego and are aware of both your strengths and weaknesses. You aim to ensure your ego and personal traits work for the benefit of the workforce and organization.
Tip to improve self-awareness as a leader: slow down Pause. Slow down. Don’t react to situations immediately. Take time to process and engage in critical thinking, (which means challenging your own assumptions as well as those of others). Choose to respond.
2. Self-regulation
What if you were your own boss? Firm, but fair. You control your emotions. You don’t have outbursts, and you don’t compromise your workplace ethics. You hold yourself accountable for your actions.
When you are calm, other people around you are reassured and motivated to take positive action.
Lead by example.
Tip to improve self-regulation as a leader: stay calm
When you consistently react in a calm way to pressure, it creates a general sense of improved well-being in the workplace.
3. Motivation
Motivation partly stems from understanding WHAT you want to do and WHY you want to do it. Self-reflection helps understanding the “WHY” of your actions and this is where high Emotional Intelligence comes in.
Leaders with high Emotional Intelligence also understand what makes their employees and work colleagues tick, and will be able to motivate them to find their own reasons for working to the best of their ability.
Tip to improve motivation as a leader: value optimism
Think of optimism as a constructive response to stress. As champions know, optimism doesn’t just mean ‘thinking happy thoughts’. It means being able to perceive the benefits of a situation, and using that constructive optimism to sustain your commitment to succeed.
4. Empathy
As a leader with empathy, you are able to put yourself in someone else’s shoes. This ability will help you develop people on your team, challenge stereotypes and unfair assumptions, deliver critical feedback wisely and be a good listener when your team need someone responsive in charge to help them navigate difficult situations.
An empathetic leader builds a positive work atmosphere, which is maintained by team loyalty and mutual respect.
Tip to improve empathy as a leader: acknowledge feelings, not just words
You know how it is with body language. Sometimes, how something is said is easily as important as what is said. The long silences after news is delivered, the sigh an employee tried to
hide, or the employee who just looks incredibly tired… these things matter. As an empathetic leader, aim to respond to these non-verbal cues. Address the emotions behind them. Give your people the opportunity to express the problem or need they are facing so that you can work through solutions together.
5. Soft skills
Social skills are about the art of making an emotional connection through communication.
Leaders with good social skills are able to deliver bad news and celebrate good news in a way that makes people feel that opportunities for improvement exist. They are also talented at resolving conflicts and managing change in a diplomatic fashion that is in keeping with the sensitive nature of the situation.
When people’s lives are affected by a decision, leaders with high Emotional Intelligence will demonstrate they respect the needs, fears and hopes of the people involved.
Tip to improve social skills as a leader: resolve conflict with care and communication
As a leader, you influence others, and how you do that is an important element of your abilities.
Once you have a solid understanding of workplace emotions –including your own – you can lead a team to increased mindfulness and productivity. Emotional intelligence in leadership isn’t a ‘soft option’. It can be the key to success!
I am Captain Rommel Reyes, presently working as a Shipboard Training Officer.
In 1995, at the early age of 19 years old, I started my journey as a deck cadet on M/T Ninemia. It was hard as the experience was unfamiliar and big adjustments had to be made. I stayed for 14 months on board on my first contract. I was away from my family for a very long time, feeling homesick. Moreover, I had a hard time socializing with new people as it was a completely new environment for me. Despite this, I persevered and studied harder for my second contract so that I could take my 3rd mate licence exam. Fortunately, I passed. In 1998, I was promoted to Third Officer. In 2000, I was promoted to 2nd Officer. In 2002, I was promoted to Chief Officer. In 2005, I was asked if I was ready to take command. However, I refused as I felt I needed more time to develop my skills in order to perform my job efficiently. In 2007, I was promoted to Master on M/T CE-Dragon. After nine years as Master on board Tanker vessels, I started as a Shipboard Training Officer in 2016.
The first vessel I visited was M/T CE-Merapi to conduct training seminars, perform drills, carry out audits, condition evaluations, and inspections and provide supervision for maintenance and operations.
On board M/T CE-Merapi in March 2016
Currently, I am a shipboard trainer. My past experience has moulded me to become resilient, especially during the tough situations life has thrown at me. I have become grateful and contented as I know how hard the journey is to achieving one’s dream. I am glad that I have improved my skills as I am now able to impart all my knowledge and sea experience to other seafarers on board. Lastly, I would not have come this far without the support I have received from Marine Trust Ltd. and especially my family.
I was able to take several photos during my visits on board and I met some of the Superintendents presently working in the Company.
In 2018, I met Fleet Technical Supervisor Mr. Yannis Vakkas in Shanghai, China to visit one of the bulk carriers
In 2019, I met Supt. Paul Birleanu to join M/V Casta Diva in China
Nostalgia (Part 2)
Here are some photos of the shipboard training conducted onboard various vessels.
Training on board M/T Leni P. in 2019
Training on board M/V Coral Island in 2019
On M/T Dynasty while performing drills (2016)
Training on board M/T Yannis P. in 2021
The creativity of those who cook for a living often determines how their culinary skills are judged. This creativity can vary from making subtle changes to established recipes to blending food cultures from different countries. Fortunately, our Seafarers have adventurous cooks whose visions translate into mouthwatering creations.
One vessel that can lay claim to such cooks is M/V Casta Diva, whose Catering Dept. creates delicious dishes that incorporate an element of Greek cuisine.
Greek Shrimp Saganaki is a traditional dish that uses medium or large shrimps or prawns deglazed in Ouzo to give them extra flavour. It is a variation of the common cheese SAGANAKI recipe, which is a popular Greek appetizer and is usually served in a bunking dish with two handles.
PUFF PASTRY PINK SALMON
This Salmon Wellington with puff pastry is an elegant and impressive dish and, believe it or not, it is actually very easy to make. It is made with thick Salmon fillet, a delicious cream cheese and a spinach filling. Salmon is one my favorite proteins to cook because of its delicious taste and versatility.
Greek Stuffed peppers are a healthy dinner choice. Coming from Spain, India and North America, they are popular in many countries. There is a variety of recipes with peppers that represent a healthy dinner choice.
GREEK SHRIMP SAGANAKI WITH KEBAB
GREEK STUFFED PEPPER WITH FIETA CHEESE
C/S LIMOTAN Glenn with Stwrd LANDICHO Dennis (on the right) and Messman DORIA Nestor Jr. (on the left)
Abel Tasman
Abel Janszoon Tasman was born in Lutjegast, the Netherlands in 1603. Not much is known about his early life, but it appears that he gained more education than working-class children normally did in the Netherlands at that time. This gave him an advantage when he became a sailor. As regards his marital status, records indicate that his first wife died, leaving him to raise his daughter. He remarried in December 1631 and was able to move to a better Amsterdam neighborhood.
In the following year, Abel Tasman got involved in the spice trade. During his time in this trade, he made a meteoric rise through the ranks from an ordinary sailor to the master of a ship. After working for two years for the Dutch East India Company in the spice trade, Abel Tasman made a short voyage of exploration to Ceram (Seram Island) as captain of Mocha in 1634.
In 1638, Tasman entered into a ten-year contract with the Dutch East India Company and promptly relocated his family to Batavia (Jakarta). In the following year, he served as second in command under Mathys Hendrickszoon Quast on an expedition to the islands east of Japan in search of the so called islands of “gold and silver”. After returning, he made a number of trading voyages to Japan, Formosa (Taiwan), Cambodia and Sumatra. Then, he was given command of a major expedition to the Southern Hemisphere by the governor-general of the Dutch East Indies Company, Anthony van Diemen.
The main aim of this daring voyage into the ‘unknown’ was to determine whether previously sighted stretches on the west coast of Australia were connected and formed part of a large southern continent. Tasman was also given instructions to explore the Indian Ocean at a more southerly latitude than the established trade routes, to move eastward into the Pacific Ocean, to rediscover the Solomon Islands and explore New Guinea.
Abel Tasman began this voyage of discovery on 14th August 1642. He departed from Batavia with two modestly sized vessels called the Heemskerk and Zeehaen for Mauritius. The two ships reached Mauritius on 5th September. On the island, the crew ate well and made the most of an abundance of fresh water. During the stay they also gathered timber to make repairs.
were bludgeoned to death. Tasman left this country which he called Staten Landt at first but renamed it Nieuw Zeeland after a Dutch province on 4th January 1643. He then discovered Tonga and the Fiji Islands before proceeding to New Guinea. He returned to Batavia on 14th June 1643. During the ten-month voyage ten men had been lost to illness.
His voyage was judged to have been largely unsuccessful. Even though he had determined that Australia was not part of the hypothetical southern continent, he was deemed not to have explored the lands he sighted well enough.
Despite receiving criticism from his employer, Abel Tasman was given command of a second expedition in 1644. This one was much shorter as it involved a voyage from Batavia to the south coast of New Guinea, which he sailed along before passing through the Torres Strait and along the north and west coasts of Australia. Again, he was given a mixed reception on his return. His expedition was regarded as not being completed as he did not discover places of trading potential, but on the other hand, he was made a commander and a member of the Council of Justice of Batavia.
Abel Tasman’s two voyages. Source: en.wikipedia.org
After leaving Mauritius, Abel Tasman headed to 49oS before setting a northerly course. On 24th November, he discovered land. It was the west coast of modern Tasmania, which he named Van Diemens Land after the governor-general. He followed the south coast of the island before anchoring near Cape Frederick Hendrick. On 2nd December a party went ashore to get some food termed ‘edible greens’. A day later, Abel Tasman claimed formal possession of the land.
After continuing east, he came upon the South Island of what is today called New Zealand on 13th December 1642. The two vessels anchored off Golden Bay, where some of the sailors were attacked while rowing from one ship to the other. Four of the sailors
Other highlights of his career with the Dutch East India Company included command of a trading fleet to Siam (Thailand) and a war fleet to fight against the Spanish in the Philippines. His charts and maps were utilized by other explorers well before his journal of the 1642-3 voyage was published in 1898. This journal, which bears Abel Tasman’s signature resides in the Dutch National Archives in The Hague.
There can be no doubt that the knowledge gained during Abel Tasman’s voyage of 1642-3 paved the way for other explorers and traders. For this reason, Abel Janszoon Tasman is considered the greatest of all the Dutch explorers, and we are rightly reminded of his accomplishments by the things named after him. In Australia, there is a peninsula, a bridge, a highway and a sea named in his honour. In New Zealand, there is a glacier, a lake, a river, a mountain, a national part, a district and a monument are named after him.
In his homeland, many streets bear his name and there is a museum in his pace of birth. His image has graced postage stamps and coins. What is more, a modern frigate, an asteroid and several companies have been named after him. As this list is not exhaustive, it can be readily concluded that Abel Tasman is a towering figure in the history of maritime exploration.
Bordered by the Greenland, North and Barents Seas, the Norwegian Sea is part of the North Atlantic Ocean. It is believed that this body of water that covers 533,979 square miles (1,383,000 sq. km) was formed around 250 million years ago, when the Eurasian Plate separated from the North American Plate. This geological event is responsible for the Norwegian Sea being relatively deep at an average of 6,562ft (2km) with a maximum depth of 13,024ft (3,970m).
A submarine ridge in the region which links Greenland, Iceland, the Faroe Islands and North Scotland separates the Norwegian Sea from the Atlantic Arctic Ocean in the north. This separation makes the Norwegian Sea different from Arctic Seas in that it is normally ice free throughout the year thanks to a warm current that flows off the Norwegian coast. The ability of the Norwegian Sea to absorb heat also accounts for the mild Norwegian winters. As regards maritime activity, the Norwegian Sea is part of the Northern Sea Route, which reduces the voyage length of ships travelling from European ports (especially those in the north) to the Far East: This body of water also serves as a connection to the Atlantic for the Arctic Russian ports of Arkhangelsk, Murmansk and Kandalaksha.
Two cruise ships off Svalbard. Source: www.cnns.no
The Norwegian Sea has provided rich fishing grounds for centuries, so fishing vessels frequent this body of water in large numbers. Indeed, the area near Lofoten is among the richest fishing grounds in Europe. As the region contains the most important spawning grounds for herring and Atlantic cod, these two species together with white fish make up the bulk of the vast majority of catches. Another important species is salmon, whose primary habitat lies off the Norwegian coast.
Although petroleum and natural gas have been commercially extracted since 1993, the Norwegian Sea, its islands and the bordering countries retain their beauty and uniqueness. This is why the Norwegian Sea region is a hot spot for cruise itineraries. The three principal ports serving the Norwegian Sea are as follows: Narvik: This port, which has an ice-free harbour, is in a town on a peninsula surrounded by spectacular fjords and mountains. It has a heavy cruise schedule during the summer months, handles about 65,000 containers annually and its efficient train link transports some 120,000 tonnes of fish to southern markets every year.
Tromso: The port of Tromso is one of the largest fishing and cruise
Source: www.wikipedia.org
ports in Norway. Its annual calls total around 10,000, just over one third of which are made up of fishing vessels.
Trondheim: Vessels calling here are afforded excellent shelter. The port is a hub for freight traffic, functions as a cruise port and possesses an oil terminal.
Ofotfjord: one of the spectacular fjords near Narvik. Source: en.wikipedia.org
Other important ports include the Port of Alesund, which caters for cruise ships and fishing vessels, the Icelandic cruise ports of Akureyri and Reykjavik, the cruise port of Torshavn in the Faroes, the northerly port of Longyearbayen on Svalbard and Lerwick in Scotland that handles liners, ferries, container vessels and Ro-Ro vessels.
The Norwegian Sea also has legends associated with it. This body of water was once believed to be the edge of the known world, and the disappearance of vessels in the region was often attributed to monsters such as the Kraken. This giant creature was introduced into literature in the 16th century and has surfaced many times since. The poet Tennyson wrote about it as did the authors Herman Melville and Jules Verne. More recently John Wyndham featured it in his book The Kraken Wakes. Additionally, a huge maelstrom known as Moskenstraumen that can be dangerous to small fishing boats has captured the imaginations of literary figures such as Edgar Allen Poe and Jules Verne.
They told me it hovered above them for a short while before moving off at high speed!
Can you make some notes about it so that I can write an article and it can be discussed at the next Forum?
Fun Corner
1. Make the names of two Company vessels using all the letters in the following sentence:
AVA RODIC EATS EGGS.
Test
Brain
He is a climber and his favourite mountains are Everest and Pointe Carmen. By the same token, which fruit would he prefer: a banana or a peach? Why?
6. Which six-letter word can be placed after the words to the left and before the words to the right?
2. The letters in the chemical symbols for hydrogen, iridium and silicon can be rearranged to form the name of a sea.
What is the name of the sea?
3. My name rhymes with what you get when you touch something very hot or very cold, and what you continue to do even when you’re old. On every ship and boat, I am behind, in a place where a name you may find. What am I?
4. Which three-letter word can be used to complete the following words;
W_ _ _ ING, CH_ _ _ ING, AL_ _ _ S and H_ _ _FUL?
5. Oliver Walker’s favourite animal is the anteater, and his favourite bird is a lapwing. His favourite capitals are Washington, Nairobi and Copenhagen. He likes numbers so his subject is accounting.
1. Which of the following is NOT a main benefit of silyl acrylate SPG antifouling paints?
A 3-4% fuel savings B reduction in hull roughness C excellent application D large number of nanoparticles
2. Which of the following gases is denser than air?
A CH4 B H2S C C2H2 D He
3. Which tool can be used to improve mental well-being?
A Success Motivation B Divergence
C Lateral Thinking D Wheel of Life
4. What is the capita of Malta?
A Gozo B Valletta C Skorba D Senglea
5. What was the name of the vessel commanded by Vasco de Gama in 1497?
A Sao Gabriel B Sao Raphael C Berrio D Sao Cristovao
your Answers
PERSONAL - - - -RECORD MARITIME MEASURES CHILD FIRST
7. In six steps change the word SHIP to BOAT by changing one letter at a time to form intermediate words.
6. Which port is the busiest in the Gulf of Mexico?
A Houston B South Lousiana
C Mobile D Pascagoula
7. In which city are the headquarters of the IMO located?
A Geneva B New York C Seoul D London
8. Which sea lies to the north of the Coral Sea?
A the Tasman Sea B the Arafura Sea
C the Solomon Sea D the Banda Sea
9. On what day is the annual Day of the Seafarer celebrated?
A 18th May B 30th May C 15th June D 25th June
10. What was the name of the vessel that took Roald Amundsen and his fellow explorers to the Antarctic in his 1910-1912 expedition?
A Endurance B Fram C Terra Nova D Discovery
(a)BANana. All his favourites contain a verb in the bare infinitive form: antEATer, lapWINg, WASHington, NaiROBi, COPEnhagen, acCOUNTing, EveREST and POINTe Carmen. 6. Safety 7. SLIP, SLAP,
8. A family of five consists of twin boys and an older sister and two parents. The twins are half the age of their sister. The father is three times the age of his daughter. The mother’s age is a third of the combined age of the whole family, which is 120. How old are the twins if the father’s age is the same as the combined age of one of the twins and the mother? TEST
Answers at the foot of the page Answers at the foot of the page
Quiz
Survival at Sea
Filo Filo, Etueni Nasau and Samu Pelesa
In late September 2010, three teenage cousins called Filo Filo, Etueni Nasau and Samu Pelesa took a family member’s boat without permission. They got into a 12-foot (3.5m) long boat called a “tinnie” to go to an island nearby in the Tokelau Archipelago. The boys left their homes on Atafu, hoping to return a little while later, but the outboard motor ran out of fuel shortly after their departure.
The boat was then at the mercy of the currents and waves, which took it out to sea. It did not take long for the cousins to lose sight of land, which caused them to feel worried. It was quite apparent that they were ill equipped to survive for an extended period of drifting helplessly at sea. They had little sailing experience and little in the way of provisions except for some coconuts.
The boys realized they were far from land and they would have to endure the discomfort of the hot tropical sun beating down on them. At night, they had to ensure that rainstorms did not capsize their boat. The upside of the rainstorms was that they provided fresh water for a while. Food, however, was another matter. After consuming the coconuts, they began to experience hunger pangs, so faced with starvation, they began to catch the small flying fish that landed in their boat. They also devoured a bird that landed on the craft.
The food they ate was barely enough to keep them going, and the lack of fresh water eventually led them to drinking small quantities of sea water. This was an indicator that they were going downhill. There was some hope when they spotted a vessel at night, but as they had no light that hope quickly faded. At another point during their ordeal they saw a ship in the distance, but it was too far away to see them.
On 24th November 2010, about 55 days after their departure, a deep sea tuna boat came upon the bedraggled teenagers. The crew were flabbergasted when they caught sight of the cousins as it was highly unusual for the fisherman to see any other vessels in that region. The boys’ desperate cries for help were answered and they were taken aboard together with their boat. They had drifted more than 500 miles (800km) from their home of Tokelau to a place half way between Samoa and Fiji.
On board the fishing vessel, they were given fluids and tiny pieces of fruit as the crew knew they would not be able to keep down solid food until they had recovered. The fishermen took them to Fiji, where they received hospital treatment. After regaining their strength, they stayed with consular staff from New Zealand because Tokelau is administered as a territory by this country. No media access was granted to the cousins.
Filo Filo, Etueni Nasau and Samu Pelesa flew to Samoa on 29th November. From there they took a boat home to Atafu Atoll to be reunited with family and friends. I was a reunion that was quite unexpected as a search launched on 5th October which covered thousands of square miles failed to locate the boys in the “tinnie”. Indeed, after one month of searching, the inhabitants of Tokelau feared the worst. So, a memorial service was held. It was attended by around 500 people, which was approximately one third of the total population of the island chain.
While they were waiting for a boat to take them home; one teenager called his parents on a satellite phone. He expected to be chastised as the boys had borrowed the boat without permission. Instead, he was told that the news of their rescue had been greeted with pure joy and that their return was being viewed as a miracle that would be celebrated in an appropriately festive manner.
