Subscribe to our Mailing Lists (It's free!)
Thursday, July 10, 2025
SAFETY4SEA
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    Lessons learned

    Lessons learned: Ensure there are compatible adapters onboard

    Panama IMO

    Panama reaffirms commitment to protection of seafarers’ rights

    IMB piracy

    IMB: 50% increase in piracy incidents in first six months of 2025

    Norway

    Norwegian Maritime Authority: 589 incidents in first half of 2025

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    friendship

    Exploring the human need for friendship: A lifeline at sea and on shore

    neck pain

    Neck pain: A growing health concern for maritime workers

    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book Review: Feel grounded and think positive in 10 simple steps

    time

    Stay SEAFiT: Time is non-renewable – invest it wisely

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    Trafigura, ZeroNorth join forces to advance decarbonization solutions

    Trafigura, ZeroNorth join forces to advance decarbonization solutions

    COSCO

    COSCO boxship receives first bunkering of domestic green methanol

    AMSA fine

    NorthStandard: Tips to avoid pollution fines in Turkey

    IACS

    IACS reports progress on decarbonisation & digital transformation

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    Trafigura, ZeroNorth join forces to advance decarbonization solutions

    Trafigura, ZeroNorth join forces to advance decarbonization solutions

    floating data centres

    New partnership to develop floating data center on retrofitted vessel

    connectivity

    Innovating ocean safety: Intellian’s unified vision for connectivity and GMDSS

    autonomous navigation

    New deal aims to advance autonomous navigation technology

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    AMSA fine

    NorthStandard: Tips to avoid pollution fines in Turkey

    OCIMF

    OCIMF Annual Report 2025: SIRE 2.0 a welcome change for the industry

    USCG

    ABS PSC Report Q1 2025: 526 total vessels detained

    paris mou lists

    Paris MoU 2024 Performance lists

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    newbuildings xclusiv shipbrokers

    Xclusiv Shipbrokers: Newbuilding momentum slows sharply in 2025

    Watch: Avoid the risk of electrocution for shipboard welding

    Watch: Avoid the risk of electrocution for shipboard welding

    charcoal

    BIMCO: Renewable electricity sources lower coal shipments

    carriers

    Sea-Intelligence: Global schedule reliability reaches 18-month high

  • Columns
    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    NorthStandard: Data sharing to drive technology and improve crew wellbeing

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    AMPI: Seafarers face critical risks in pilot transfer rigging

    AMPI: Seafarers face critical risks in pilot transfer rigging

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
  • Home
  • Safety
    • All
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
    Lessons learned

    Lessons learned: Ensure there are compatible adapters onboard

    Panama IMO

    Panama reaffirms commitment to protection of seafarers’ rights

    IMB piracy

    IMB: 50% increase in piracy incidents in first six months of 2025

    Norway

    Norwegian Maritime Authority: 589 incidents in first half of 2025

  • SEAFiT
    • All
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
    friendship

    Exploring the human need for friendship: A lifeline at sea and on shore

    neck pain

    Neck pain: A growing health concern for maritime workers

    Book Review: Building leaders the MMMA way

    Book Review: Feel grounded and think positive in 10 simple steps

    time

    Stay SEAFiT: Time is non-renewable – invest it wisely

  • Green
    • All
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
    Trafigura, ZeroNorth join forces to advance decarbonization solutions

    Trafigura, ZeroNorth join forces to advance decarbonization solutions

    COSCO

    COSCO boxship receives first bunkering of domestic green methanol

    AMSA fine

    NorthStandard: Tips to avoid pollution fines in Turkey

    IACS

    IACS reports progress on decarbonisation & digital transformation

  • Smart
    • All
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
    Trafigura, ZeroNorth join forces to advance decarbonization solutions

    Trafigura, ZeroNorth join forces to advance decarbonization solutions

    floating data centres

    New partnership to develop floating data center on retrofitted vessel

    connectivity

    Innovating ocean safety: Intellian’s unified vision for connectivity and GMDSS

    autonomous navigation

    New deal aims to advance autonomous navigation technology

  • Risk
    • All
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
    AMSA fine

    NorthStandard: Tips to avoid pollution fines in Turkey

    OCIMF

    OCIMF Annual Report 2025: SIRE 2.0 a welcome change for the industry

    USCG

    ABS PSC Report Q1 2025: 526 total vessels detained

    paris mou lists

    Paris MoU 2024 Performance lists

  • Others
    • All
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
    newbuildings xclusiv shipbrokers

    Xclusiv Shipbrokers: Newbuilding momentum slows sharply in 2025

    Watch: Avoid the risk of electrocution for shipboard welding

    Watch: Avoid the risk of electrocution for shipboard welding

    charcoal

    BIMCO: Renewable electricity sources lower coal shipments

    carriers

    Sea-Intelligence: Global schedule reliability reaches 18-month high

  • Columns
    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    NorthStandard: Data sharing to drive technology and improve crew wellbeing

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    GSR Services: The Hong Kong Convention sets the rules for total ship lifecycle responsibility

    AMPI: Seafarers face critical risks in pilot transfer rigging

    AMPI: Seafarers face critical risks in pilot transfer rigging

    Trending Tags

    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • Events
  • Plus
No Result
View All Result
SAFETY4SEA

Interview on current QHSE challenges

by The Editorial Team
February 28, 2013
in Opinions
FacebookTwitterEmailLinkedin

Michael Bourekas, Ceres LNG Services, on current QHSE challenges

Interview with Capt Michael Bourekas, Health, Safety, Security and Environment Manager of Ceres LNG Services Ltd, on current QHSE challenges.

Q: When did safety become an issue in the maritime industry?

A: Compliance with IMO’s code is mandatory since 1998. No compliance means no certification, thus threatening the very existence of the company. Compliance with is not a matter of company’s profile anymore. Companies that implement long term strategy don’t approach safety like a cost but rather like an investment. Safety for ‘high profile’ companies has been always a priority.

Q: How much do Safety regulations have changed in the recent years?

A: It’s like night and day. There is a huge difference both in the regulation span as well as in their qualitative characteristics. Nowadays, IMO, EU, US or other states issue constantly, a number of regulations that may be contradicting each other. It’s like a vicious circle. The problem is that there is not a single frame of interpretation. Maritime companies struggle to comply with all this stuff and there is a cost for this. Eventually the end consumer has to pay for this cost while safety levels are not necessarily higher.

Q: To what extend regulations can be implemented on board?

A: Regulations are indeed necessary on board, both those that deal with technical issues and those that have to do with the human element. The ISM code takes account of all these things. However, there is great hypocrisy on board. Big players like BP, Shell or ExxonMobil follow all these rules. They have a strong safety culture. Everything can be implemented but it’s a matter of cost and corporate policy. In the meantime the legal frame is quite hypocritical.

Q: Safety rules change really fast. How can the young mariners stay updated and the older get familiarized?

A: That’s a big issue. Even we, at the office, with all the information needed, we face some difficulties. Some things are taught in merchant marine academies but those that have to stay updated are the master, the chief engineer and the chief officer that form the senior shipboard management team on board. They are those that have to train the younger and supervise the implementation of corporate safety procedures. But it’s still a matter of corporate attitude. Does the company just forwards extra paper to the vessel or there is a complete, realistic safety system?

Q: Piracy is a major issue for the maritime community. In your view, which is the proper way to address this issue and protect crew? Can Piracy be eliminated?

A: Indeed piracy is a big issue. Unfortunately, we’ve reached a point where we’ve got security teams. Mariners are neither military men nor their job is to perform like security. Of course there is some training but security isn’t their job.

Most companies have unarmed security guards but others have gone a little bit further and prefer armed guards. This is a strange situation, because there is no legal frame, i.e. when the firearms will be used. And again, it is a matter of vessel command. The Master is the ultimate commander but in the same time there are armed men on board. That’s weird and a paradox.

We monitor the situation constantly, because there is always the chance that things change. Maybe pirates start using helicopters at some point. Who knows?

Regarding our company, last Easter, it was the first time we used unarmed guards. I was on board, to see how it works. They are really good in their job. We were satisfied and we started a cooperation that we think ‘immunises’ us towards piracy, up to a certain extent.

In addition, our vessels travel with a speed of 20 knots. It’s not easy to approach a vessel that travels with this speed. Furthermore, our crew is adequately trained and follows the instructions of security guards.

Fighting piracy is a matter of politics. It’s not the companies but governments that have to do something. Globally, there are no signs of change; neither the UN nor NATO and IMO do something.

This moment, there are approximately 30 vessels and 600 mariners held hostage. Imagine how many families live their own drama every single day. It’s a big social issue that affects both their families and the companies. However, there are no signs of regret.

On the other hand, maritime world shares a great part of the responsibility. If finally, they all decide that this area will be deviated; this will raise tremendously the freight rates. Consequently, all products will become more expensive, especially energy products. Then as a result consumers will protest and there will be a solution.

The problem can’t be solved with some dozens of warships in the sea. It is clear that piracy starts and has to end ashore.

Capt Michael Bourekas

Health, Safety, Security and Environment Manager of Ceres LNG Services Ltd

Ceres LNG Services Ltd. is a dedicated operator of LNG vessels

Interview on current QHSE challengesInterview on current QHSE challenges
Interview on current QHSE challengesInterview on current QHSE challenges

RelatedNews

Lessons learned: Ensure there are compatible adapters onboard

Xclusiv Shipbrokers: Newbuilding momentum slows sharply in 2025

Previous Post

NATO Shipping Centre – Weekly Piracy Assessment

Next Post

Re-examining the Gulf of Guinea: Fewer Attacks, Better Pirates

Related News

Watch: Avoid the risk of electrocution for shipboard welding
Videos

Watch: Avoid the risk of electrocution for shipboard welding

July 9, 2025
charcoal
Shipping

BIMCO: Renewable electricity sources lower coal shipments

July 9, 2025
Trafigura, ZeroNorth join forces to advance decarbonization solutions
Energy Efficiency

Trafigura, ZeroNorth join forces to advance decarbonization solutions

July 9, 2025
carriers
Shipping

Sea-Intelligence: Global schedule reliability reaches 18-month high

July 9, 2025
COSCO
Fuels

COSCO boxship receives first bunkering of domestic green methanol

July 9, 2025
UK sanctions
Shipping

Dutch authorities arrest four due to suspected sanctions violation

July 9, 2025

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Explore more

No Result
View All Result
MARITIME EVENTS

Explore

  • Safety
  • SEAFiT
  • Green
  • Smart
  • Risk
  • Others
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

Useful Links

  • About
  • Disclaimer
  • Editorial Policies
  • Advertising
  • Content Marketing
  • Contact

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA

Manage your privacy
We use technologies like cookies to store and/or access device information. We do this to improve browsing experience and to show (non-) personalized ads. Consenting to these technologies will allow us to process data such as browsing behavior or unique IDs on this site. Not consenting or withdrawing consent, may adversely affect certain features and functions.
Functional Always active
The technical storage or access is strictly necessary for the legitimate purpose of enabling the use of a specific service explicitly requested by the subscriber or user, or for the sole purpose of carrying out the transmission of a communication over an electronic communications network.
Preferences
The technical storage or access is necessary for the legitimate purpose of storing preferences that are not requested by the subscriber or user.
Statistics
The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for statistical purposes. The technical storage or access that is used exclusively for anonymous statistical purposes. Without a subpoena, voluntary compliance on the part of your Internet Service Provider, or additional records from a third party, information stored or retrieved for this purpose alone cannot usually be used to identify you.
Marketing
The technical storage or access is required to create user profiles to send advertising, or to track the user on a website or across several websites for similar marketing purposes.
Manage options Manage services Manage {vendor_count} vendors Read more about these purposes
Manage options
{title} {title} {title}
No Result
View All Result
  • Safety
    • Accidents
    • Alerts
    • Loss Prevention
    • Maritime Health
    • Regulation
    • Safety
    • Seafarers
    • Security
  • SEAFiT
    • Intellectual
    • Mental
    • Physical
    • Social
    • Spiritual
  • Green
    • Arctic
    • Ballast
    • Emissions
    • Fuels
    • Green Shipping
    • Pollution
    • Ship Recycling
    • Technology
  • Smart
    • Connectivity
    • Cyber Security
    • E-navigation
    • Energy Efficiency
    • Maritime Software
    • Smart
  • Risk
    • CIC
    • Detentions
    • Fines
    • PSC Case Studies
    • PSC Focus
    • Vetting
  • Others
    • Diversity in shipping
    • Maritime Knowledge
    • Offshore
    • Ports
    • Shipping
    • Sustainability
    • Videos
  • Columns
    • Anchor Your Health
    • Book Review
    • Career Paths
    • Human Performance
    • Industry Voices
    • Interviews
    • Maripedia
    • Maritime History
    • Opinions
    • Regulatory Update
    • Resilience
    • Seafarers Stories
    • SeaSense
    • Tip of the day
    • Training & Development
    • Wellness Corner
    • Wellness Tips
  • SAFETY4SEA Events
  • SAFETY4SEA Plus Subscription

© 2025 SAFETY4SEA