What are a few unique pieces of career advice that nobody ever mentions? What are actually beneficial to a career? Who is the most influential mentor to you? These and more we ask people of a noteworthy career to share their views and tips for an ideal path into maritime business.
Although there was no family tradition in shipping, a brochure for a career as a merchant marine officer gave the green light for Capt. Panagiotis Nikiteas, HSQE Manager / DPA / CSO, Anangel Maritime Services Inc. at the right time. Throughout a career full of challenges and great rewards, Capt. Nikiteas says that he was fortunate to meet in person and work with many indivduals who influenced him positivily and commits to continue supporting the human element; the unsung heroes who make ships run.
SAFETY4SEA: How did it come about that you joined shipping industry?
Capt. Panagiotis Nikiteas: Since there was no family seafaring or shipping tradition and as during the, distant.., years I was attending Lyceum in Athens there was no real career orientation or vocational guidance in schools, the path of joining a Merchant Marine Academy was not really a known option, not only for me but for all my schoolmates. Call it Will, fate, karma, destiny, coincidence or luck, a brochure for a career as a merchant marine officer ended up on my hands at the right (and difficult) point of time, supported by my childhood dream to travel the world, resulted in joining Hydra Maritime Academy back in 1988. This was the first introduction to a life full of challenges and great rewards.
S4S: What about your current job/ role most excites you?
Capt. P.N.: Routine, monotony, repetition, obstacles and resistance to change can make a job role not so appealing. Apart to any organization’s efforts to increase motivation, it is up to the individual to maintain stimuli. What keeps me excited is the effort to improve, to develop, individually and collectively as a team.
S4S: What would you like to change in the current maritime landscape?
Capt. P.N.:I do not like imaginary wish lists. I prefer to stick to what I can change instead of what I would like to change. All my life I worked towards understanding and making others appreciate better the human characteristics; the few limitations and the unlimited potentials. I will continue doing so; to “advertise” and “empower” the often unseen people who make ships run and companies operate.
S4S: Who is/was the most influential person to you & why ?
Capt. P.N.:I have been very fortunate in meeting in person, learning from and working with or for an amazing array of individuals. To name only but a very few, Capt Dinos Mertzanis, Capt George Kavalieros, Extra Master and writer D.H. Moreby, Professor and Attorney J. Hurley, Mr C.J. Wiernicki, CEO of ABS Mr N. Fistes, ex-Intertanko chairman and Mr J. Angelicoussis. However, I have to give credit and tribute to the late Mr. Theodoros Therapiotis, the founder of Ionia Management; the person who saw something in me that even I was not able to see at that time.
S4S: Best piece of advice you’ve been given?
Capt. P.N.:To be really happy and successful in the shipping industry remove from your mind the “poison pills” of preconceptions and prejudice.
S4S: If you could tell your 18-year-old-self one thing, what would it be?
Capt. P.N.: You can lose all but never lose your Faith; it’s your safe haven.
S4S: What is your personal motto?
Capt. P.N.:Do not talk about virtue, try every moment to become virtuous and maintain your principles of honesty, justice, courage, generosity, forgiveness, humility, humbleness and strive for excellence.
About Capt. Panagiotis Nikiteas
Captain Panagiotis Nikiteas is maritime professional with 29 years’ experience span in various sectors of the maritime industry including management, marine, vetting, operations, crewing, safety, quality, environmental, energy, security, health, surveying, incident investigation and training. He had been stationed and worked abroad in Manila, Dubai and Singapore and appreciated the benefits of multi-cultural working environment. He is holding Master’s Degree in Adult Education, Master’s degree in International Shipping with distinction, Post Graduate Diploma in International Shipping and Transport Management and is a graduate form Hydra Merchant Marine Academy with distinction. Panagiotis is the HSQE Manager / DPA / CSO of Anangel Maritime Services Inc.