Tore enjoys his life as a landlubber

Some time in the early 90s, a nervous Tore Velde knocks on the office door belonging to Crew Manager Signe Hagen in the old Sjøfartsbygget in Haugesund. Hagen spoke with the teenager, and soon discovered that the young man from Haugesund was asking for an apprenticeship in the company. She advised him to take another year at secondary school and come back next year. Tore Velde did as she said, and the year after he was travelling as an apprentice.

In the spring of 2020, at 46 year old, Tore Velde was awarded his gold watch for 25 years of service in Østensjø. A quarter of a century in the same shipping company, but with wildly varying jobs. At first, on Edda Freya where the young engineer apprentice was thoroughly taught the ropes by the veteran Chief Engineer Gustav Risanger. Then on Thorax, Edda Frende and Edda Frigg. Life at sea came to an end after an assignment on Edda Fjord in Nigeria in 2006. - I definitely had to think about it when I was offered the job as an Technical Superintendent at the office in Haugesund. I had to decide between 6-7 weeks rotation at sea and an office job in my home town. I’ve never regretted becoming a landlubber, but I’m pleased that my job as Technical Superintendent allows me to visit many of our vessels. Not the least Edda Fides, that i had quite some involvement over the years. A magnificent vessels that I, on behalf of Østensjø, am very proud of. Right now she’s in lay-up, but hopefully she will be back in operation when things get back to normal after the pandemic, says Tore Velde.

EXCITING WORKDAYS

Velde is pleased with his employer and has never been tempted to look for greener grass elsewhere. - The truth is that I’ve had so many various jobs through the years, with plenty of opportunity to develop both professionally and personally. A lot of exciting things happen in Østensjø, which I would characterise as an innovative, forward-leaning company.

Tore Velde enjoys being a Technical Superintendent in Østensjø.

We see this especially in the commitment to designing advanced vessels for ocean wind projects, says Velde. Back home in Haugesund, he’s a busy family man, with his wife and three children who are 8, 14 and 16 years old. He enjoys tinkering with various projects in the house and the garage, and as often as possible, the family heads off to their cabin in Vågslid. He’s even refurbishing a boat together with his 14 year old son.

WELL-BEING IS PRIORITY NUMBER ONE

With his long history in Østensjø, it’s tempting to ask how he sees the company back then and now. Have things changed for the better? - Yes, the company has developed for the better in most areas. With such a large fleet and number of employees, you need solid administration and good systems. Which are absolutely present in Østensjø. What impresses me most might be the focus the company keeps on its employees’ well-being, and on social efforts. Even now, in these corona times, the social committee manages to arrange fun activities for the families of their employees — lastly, bingo over Teams. I think things like this are priceless in order to create feelings of identity and togetherness, which in turn help keep your staff happy and loyal, says Velde.