Nostalgia

Welcome to yet another installment of Nostalgia! There is no better way to learn about the Company’s history and envision its bright future than through photos which illustrate the progress made thus far, and attest to the success to come! After all a picture is worth a thousand words! I believe this edition is a very touching one, since we will look back at the vessel that has been in our fleet for most of the Company’s existence. So after taking a look at the delivery of the new built Mikela P. in the last installment of Nostalgia, we will now move on to the delivery of the most historic vessel that has ever been in our fleet. She is none other than the cherished M/T PANAGIA ARMATA. We will start off with her delivery back in the 90s and trace her history until her sale early this year. I hope you enjoy looking back at this vessel’s lifetime in our Company as much as I did when writing this edition of Nostalgia.

In the photo below, the PANAGIA ARMATA (aframax/LR2 tanker) built in 1998 at Daewoo Heavy Industries Ltd shipyard in Korea can be seen during her naming ceremony. It was the Company’s first newbuilding contract and rumor has it that our supervision team led by Yannis Pantos was so meticulous and efficient that the shipyard was forced to modify their quality standards after completion of this project. The Company contracted a further four top quality tankers at Daewoo (later named DSME), all of which were sold over the course of the years to first class owners; however, the first vessel spent the longest time with the Company – 23 years!

Some familiar faces can be spotted in this photo from the naming ceremony, including Technical Director Yannis Pantos (Site Manager at the time), Capt. Michail Michail (ship’s Master at the time), Supt. Engineer Manolis Tsainis (ship’s Second Engineer at the time) and Supt. Engineer Stratos Palaiologos. The story of our Company and our people will be forever linked with the PANAGIA ARMATA.

This photo, taken in June 2002 while the vessel was en route, gives the feeling we are almost travelling with her!

The PANAGIA ARMATA bunkering at Piraeus anchorage in February 2008

Pumpman George Poulos spent most of his sea service on board PANAGIA ARMATA, and proudly wears the t-shirt and cap bearing the vessel’s name.

Nostalgia

During the dry-docking of the vessel at SNC, Romania in September 2013, Yannis Vakkas, the Supt. Engineer at the time, is literally doing some high level inspecting!

On 14th March 2021 at Port Said, the journey of the PANAGIA ARMATA with our Company came to an end. This is the last photo of the vessel taken by our departing crew after delivery, with the ship’s bow already painted over in black, awaiting the stenciling of her new name.

I am sure these photos bring back a lot of wonderful memories to many of you. Good bye dear Panagia Armata! Wishing you luck in your new journeys ahead! May you serve your new owners as safely and successfully as you have done over the last 23 years. Before completing this Nostalgia installment, I would like to remind you to participate by sending in those oldies by e-mail to contact@wavelength.gr. Thank you to those of you who have done so already, and I strongly encourage the rest of you to send in photos capturing those special moments and share them with the rest of us in our effort to spread the knowledge. Make sure you accompany the photos with information on the vessel’s name ,the date the photo was taken, the location and the names of any seafarers in the photo. Calm seas and safe travels,

Eleftheria Lemontzoglou, Operator

Manning and Training

How to Manage your Feelings

Emotions are what make us human and what make life such a special gift. They can make us feel truly alive, but on the downside they can also severely compromise our abilities. The widely used sayings like “Don’t drive when you’re upset,” and “Don’t go to bed angry,” reflect the impact negative emotions can have on our mental well-being and subsequently, on our quality of life. At sea, emotional distress can, therefore, diminish capabilities and potentially undermine safety protocols. The following self-help guide can assist those seafarers who may find it difficult to relate their feelings to others either due to their circumstances or their personality traits. What is more, solving issues using the steps given below can become a mechanism that can serve seafarers well throughout their lives with support from health professionals whenever it is sought.

By Chara Markatzinou, Training Coordinator

A Guide to Organizing Your Feelings

Rarely do our feelings hang neatly on fancy, perfectly spaced hangers. Instead — like our closets — we often hold a jumble of both new and outdated emotions. But you can organize your feelings and deal with or discard ones that aren’t serving you. Here’s how to optimize your feelings to start winning at life. How our emotions affect our behaviour If we don’t take stock of our emotions or why we’re feeling them, they’ll likely continue to stuff our minds. That could have negative consequences for our success, health, and relationships. Our emotions can affect our logic and our ability to perform tasks. When we’re anxious or stressed, we’re also more likely to self-medicate with alcohol, drugs, or junk food. On the other hand, studies show that the more emotionally intelligent we are, the better our relationships will be. And we know how important that inner circle or support network is to our well-being. Organizing your feelings involves a light version of cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) that you can do on your own or with the help of a therapist. It can really help you grow as a person. The basic premise of CBT is that our thoughts influence our feelings, which then influence our actions. Step one: Figure out what you’re feeling List your problems or worries. Sometimes just writing them down will ease anxiety. Identifying the underlying thought or belief, evaluating it for its helpfulness and truth, and then changing it if it’s not serving us well, can be incredibly powerful. How to identify the core emotion that’s upsetting you List your concerns or problems and assign the emotions, thoughts, and beliefs attached. If you’re unsure what those thoughts are, do a “So what does that mean?” exercise. The “So what” exercise example: Problem: Everyone expects me to rearrange my schedule to fit theirs. Feelings or emotions: anger, resentment, hurt Ask: Answer (to find your underlying belief)

So what? So they think what they have going on is more important than what I have going on.

So what? So that’s selfish of them to not even think about how this inconveniences me.

So what? So if I want to see them or be part of the event, I just have to suck it up.

So what does that mean? It means that if I don’t make the effort, I’ll never get to spend time with them…

Possible conclusion: …which means that I’ll be all alone, and they’ll eventually forget about me. I’m afraid I’m forgettable, or they don’t care about me. The meaning we uncover in the exercise might feel brutal. But that’s when the true work of CBT, or organizing your feelings, comes into play. “Ask yourself, ‘Is that really true? Or can I find evidence that contradicts that belief?’” Step two: Find out if this is a pattern Sometimes you have to decide if a feeling is necessary or if it’s just operating a gaming controller in your brain. We should check in with our emotions often because they can quickly become exaggerated. This eventually creates barriers to the goals we want to achieve and the people we want to be close to.

Is your mind lying to you? If we’re aware of the reasons behind our actions — and have a better understanding of our emotions — we can change our patterns. We can stop stress, worry, or frustration from taking over and making us behave in a way we’d like to avoid. Step three: Watch out for these common distortions Here are common thought patterns that can negatively affect how we approach situations:

Distortion Concept All-or-nothing thinking There’s no middle ground. Anything short of perfection is failure. Overgeneralization One instance of a bad thing means it will continue to happen. Mental filtering You filter out all the positive and focus on the negative of a situation.

Jumping to conclusions You assume how someone feels toward you or assume negative outcomes about future events.

Magnification or minimization

You turn a minor mistake into something monumental in your mind or discount your positive qualities. Emotional reasoning You assume that if you feel a negative emotion about something it must be the truth about the situation. “Should” statements You use “should” or “shouldn’t” statements to guilt yourself or others into action.

Blame You blame yourself for things you had no control over or blame others wholly for negative situations. Create lasting behavioural changes and make them stick Recognizing distorted thinking or a behaviour pattern that’s messing with your life is the first step. Then it’s easier to do the work you need to replace it. Once you learn your triggers, you will have a better chance to intervene and change the thought or behaviour. Step four: Break down your worries with a journal exercise Make a journal ritual to stay motivated. Questions to help you keep track • What happened? • What was the trigger or event? • What emotion did you feel? • What were your exact thoughts? • How did you react? • Could you, your thoughts, or your behaviours have been different? (Weigh the facts of the situation from a calmer mindset and determine what was unhealthy for you.) • How can you create new thoughts or behaviours for the future? You can even do it on the go with an app. Search “CBT diary” or “thought journal,” in your app store. Pro-tip: Not all feelings call for a DIY makeover If you try at-home techniques and grow frustrated with the process, or you’re facing an urgent situation, don’t hesitate to seek help from a licensed mental health professional. Getting help to change unwanted patterns can be very rewarding. Organizing your feelings isn’t a tool intended to invalidate your emotions. It’s a way to be more mindful of why you’re experiencing them and alert you to any potential roadblocks. In keeping with our closet analogy, if you’ve got a nice dose of calm, joy, or confidence hanging in your mind, think of that as some classic denim you’ll want to hold on to.

Source:https://www.healthline.com/health/mental-health/developing-self-awareness

An Ocean-going Autonomous Vessel

Mayflower 400

In July 2015, a project was launched to build an autonomous research ship that would carry out a data collecting mission during a transatlantic voyage from Plymouth, UK to Plymouth, Massachusetts. As the naming ceremony was scheduled for 2020, it made complete sense to call the ship ‘Mayflower’ after the historic vessel that had made the same crossing four centuries earlier. Among the contributors to the project are scientists from Plymouth and Birmingham Universities, Plymouth-based M Subs, Shuttleworth Design, marine research non-profit organization, Pro Mare, and IGM, the lead technology and scientific partner. Support for the project has been supplied by NoAA and the UK Hydrographic Office to name but two high profile groups. The basic aim of Mayflower 400 is to obtain information about the health of our oceans. More specifically, Mayflower Autonomous Ship (MAS), a 4535kg, 15-metre long trimaran, will collect environmental data, monitor marine mammal populations, and measure both sea level heights and wave patterns. Using a fluorometer, MAS will detect algae and phytoplankton, which are indicators of water quality. In addition, water samples will be taken to undergo analysis for microplastics, algae, plankton and other organisms. As regards the monitoring of marine mammals, an RS Aqua Porpoise underwater noise recorder will be used to aid research into the populations and distribution of whales, other cetaceans and marine mammals. A fathometer on board MAS together with drones carried on the trimaran will gather oceanographic data as will the onboard sensors that can measure salinity, temperature and oxygen levels. These measurements will lead to an assessment of the impact climate change has had on our oceans. Additionally, accelerometer data will be used to measure wave energy, which reveals current strength and surface flow. As there are no humans aboard MAS, which is powered by a solar driven motor, all the space available is used to accommodate equipment which is light and mobile yet robust enough to withstand adverse conditions. The ‘eyes’ of MAS are six AI cameras that provide input for the ‘brain’ in the form of an IBM computer vision system. This setup is able to identify cargo ships, fishing vessels and any other potential hazards. Then IBM’s Operational Decision Manager (ODM) conducts an evaluation of COLREGs with respect to other vessels prior to generating a risk map which pinpoints any potentially unsafe situation ahead. In the next phase, the AI Captain, which assumes the role of a human Captain by continuously assessing the route, status and mission of MAS, makes decisions after having weighed up the options to avoid any hazard. It is then up to the MAS Safety Manager to confirm that any decision taken is safe. Once this has been done, the AI Captain gives constructions to the Vehicle Management System to change course and speed accordingly. Further information is fed into the system via a precision Global Navigation Satellite System, a weather station which receives meteorological data streams that can warn of rapidly developing storms and 30 onboard sensors which carry out various functions such as assessing local sea states. Last but not least, are the ‘ears’ of the trimaran that come in the form of a radar system. MAS was launched in September 2020, and as the greatest challenge is the ocean itself, extensive sea trials have been conducted so as to train the vessel to cope in all conditions. These trials followed an intensive two-year period of training the AI models on board to understand the environment without any aid from an outside source when the ship is out of 4G range. During the trials, several issues have had to be ironed out such as compromised camera vision when the lenses are splashed with water. It has been a relatively slow process to cater for every eventuality, but progress is ongoing. The significance of being able to gather information about the health of the ocean to determine the impact human activity has had on it cannot be overstated. Moreover, MAS will be able to obtain data from remote areas that have yet to be explored. The findings from the first mission and subsequent ones will provide a clearer picture of what is happening to and in our oceans which provide a clearer picture of what is happening to and in our oceans which regulate climate, feed us, give us oxygen, absorb carbon dioxide and, of course, allow vessels to transport much-needed supplies efficiently across the globe. In addition, MAS will test new navigation software and propulsion systems for marine vessels.

Source: www.visitplymouth.co.uk

Sources: www.ibm.com, mas.400.com, www.promare.org, www.mayflower400uk.org www.ship-technology.com, www.youtube.com

Abandonment

The blockage of the Suez Canal by a grounded vessel in March caused chaos for marine traffic in the area. However, as the queue of ships built up, there was a silver lining as the BBC decided to cover the story of a Syrian seafarer, Mohammed Aisha, whose extreme case of abandonment had begun in May 2017. In the context of seafaring, abandonment occurs when ties between the owner of the vessel and the seafarer are essentially severed, leaving the seafarer stranded without the basic necessities or any form of remuneration. Since 2004 there have been nearly 450 cases of abandonment with a significant increase in the annual average occurring over the past three years. Despite this increase, abandonment is still a rare occurrence, and when a case does materialize, there is a support network available to give hope to stranded seafarers.

One organization dealing with the growing problem of abandonment is Human Rights at Sea, a UK charity. In order to enhance its efforts, this charity has partnered with Reed Smith, an international law firm that has donated invaluable legal assistance in the form of pro bono hours to a cause that it feels most strongly about. With such support, those seafarers who find themselves abandoned can be assured that every effort will be made to secure their safe return home. In the case of Mohammed Aisha, the chief officer aboard a 5094 DWT cargo vessel, that return occurred almost four years after the crew had been left to their own devices. This extended period was due to him unwittingly signing a document that made him the legal guardian of the vessel. His signature, therefore, left him all alone when his fellow crew members were able to go home. At times he felt as if he had been forgotten, but the focus on his plight by mainstream news profiles may have expedited his repatriation as an Egyptian court agreed to a proposal by The International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) for one of its members to become the new legal guardian.

Food Culture Borscht

As the earliest recorded mention of the dish from which borscht ‘evolved’ was made by a German merchant visiting Kyiv in the late 16th century, the iconic deep red dish is most often cited as having originated in Ukraine. At that time the dish was a soup made from common hogweed, which made it poor man’s fare. Gradually, the hogweed was replaced by beetroot and took on the name ‘borsch’ (an alternative spelling), meaning ‘sour tasting soup’. As with other dishes originating in the same region, the number of ingredients that were incorporated into borscht grew over time. This allowed for variations in a dish that was almost certainly served on a daily basis. Cooked in a clay pot, borscht comprised beets, cabbage, carrots, parsley, onions, garlic and pepper. Potatoes were not introduced until the second half of the 19th century. As regards meat, this would only be available on holidays or during special occasions. Nowadays meat in the form of beef, lamb or pork is usually one of the main ingredients. In “Borsch Kyivsky”, though, all three meats are incorporated into the dish, making this variation one of the richest on offer. Alternatives are chicken, fish and, in the case of vegetarian borscht, mushrooms. Other ingredients that have found their way into borscht are parsley, chives, dill, beans, tomatoes and bay leaves as well as alternatives to tomatoes such as prunes. The final touches can include the addition of sour cream and dumplings. With all these variations possible, cooks are free to add their own personal signature to borscht.

Having to swim ashore for supplies became routine.

Source: www.marineinsight.com

Thanks to the media, the ITF and the Egyptian authorities as well as other parties working on his behalf, Mr. Aisha was no longer a statistic. The efforts of those involved led to him flying home on 22nd April, putting an ending to his having to live in squalid conditions without power or fresh water. Hopefully, the legal community, concerned organizations, the relevant authorities and seafarer support groups will soon be able to make cases of abandonment far less stressful than they can easily become.

Sources: www.insurancejournal.com, www.bbc.com, www.imo.org, www.shiptechnology.com, www.humanrightsatsea.org, www.splash247.com

Source: en.wikipedia.org. Courtesy of Liz West Apart from the classic red borscht, there is spring borscht, which utilizes beetroot leaves and summer borscht, which is served chilled. Although these two seasonal offerings have gained popularity, the name borscht is still most firmly associated with the classic version, which not only tastes really good but is extremely nutritious. Beetroot, for instance, is delicious in its own right and blends in well with other ingredients. It is also packed with nutrients like vitamin B9 and minerals such as potassium, iron and manganese. Its health benefits include anti-inflammatory properties, blood flow improvement and better digestion. Likewise, garlic is a taste booster and lowers cholesterol, improves the immune function and helps keep bloody pressure in check. As such, borscht can be savoured in the knowledge that along with a marvellous taste comes a boost to health.

Culture Corner

The Maori

The Maori, who are the indigenous Polynesian population of New Zealand, first arrived in the two-island nation in the 14th century. Their arrival was the beginning of a great migration from a homeland they called Hawaiki, which is often regarded as being in the Tahiti region. The craft the migrants used to reach New Zealand were large waka, which is the Maori name for watercraft. It is not known whether they were single or double-hulled, but it is safe to assume they were outrigger canoes. This assumption can be made because the trees in the Pacific, from where they migrated, are of narrow girth. Therefore, the narrow hull would have had its sides built up to raise the freeboard, a process that would render the craft unstable. In order to regain stability, an outrigger float joined to the hull via crossbeams would have been added. Once the Maori had settled, they discovered the totara tree, which would provide the wood for the boats they made during their so-called Classic period (1500-1770). The totara tree, which grows on both islands, was perfect for boatbuilding as the wood is lightweight and contains high levels of natural oils that protect it from rot or splitting. Additionally, totara trees are large both in average height (20-25m) and girth, meaning the outrigger could be dispensed with. When a suitable tree was located, it was a waiting game until the felling procedure could begin. Felling the tree was a painstaking process that could take up to three weeks with every step being carefully planned and executed so as to avoid damage. After the branches had been removed and the initial shaping of the trunk had been completed, the tree was taken to a settlement where the building process continued for up to a year. Most of the large waka consisted of large interlocking pieces that were joined with flax rope. Sealing was accomplished through the strategic placing of small pegs that swelled when wet and the addition of tree gum. Maori waka had an upright head and tailboard. The larger craft also had the gunwale raised to increase freeboard and prevent the main hull from being distorted in heavy seas. Further strengthening of the hull was achieved by adding timber supports lengthwise along the inside and outside of the hull just above the waterline. Maori canoes range in size from small ones called waka tiwai that are used for fishing and river travel to large ones propelled by up to 80 paddlers and a triangular sail. The latter, called waka taua, are highly decorated war canoes that are considered so sacred that no cooked food can be brought on board and boarding can only take place via the gunwale. Although the Classic period is long gone, waka are still an important part of modern Maori culture as is another part of their culture called Kaitia Kitanga, which describes the respect they have for the natural world and how they see themselves as guardians of it. These two elements came together in 2011, when a 236-metre container vessel ran aground off Motiti, a small island off New Zealand’s north coast. Prior to the disaster that resulted in a great deal of contamination, the area was a haven for scuba divers who, following the grounding, had to stay well away from the wreck site. Four years later, the area had recovered and sea creatures had returned, so scuba diving was permitted. However, the influx of human activity was detrimental to the aquatic life in the area, which prompted the 40 Maori inhabitants on Motiti to protest. At first, their protests fell on deaf ears, but they took their grievance to court. Their action led to the Resource Management Act, which allowed protection zones to be established at a local level. This ruling went against government policy, so the case went to the High Court, where the decision was upheld and the Maori, who account for around 15% of the population of New Zealand, triumphed.

Another way in which the Maori protect the marine environment is a project called ‘Xtreme Zero Waste’, which has created recycling areas to prevent pollution of the seas, especially with plastics. Maori maritime culture can also be witnessed by visitors who can see waka in action, or even travel on one in the estuaries of the Waitang River. More intrepid individuals can board a waka taua to voyage along ancestral Maori sea routes. The Maori are justifiably proud of their heritage and their connection to the environment. They have also provided the blueprints for the boats used in waka racing that runs year round at all levels from inter faculty races at universities to world championship competitions.

Traditional waka at Waitangi Treaty House site. Source: en.wikipedia.org

Totara tree in Auckland, New Zealand. Source: en.wikipedia.org

Sources: www.newzealand.com, en.wikipedia.org, www.saveourseasmagazine.com, www.westernbaygovt.nz, www.nationalgeographic.com