Our ‘Seafarer Stories’ column hosts seafarers’ views who present briefly the key challenges of life and work onboard, providing a picture of what a career at sea actually means. In this context, we are happy to host an interview with Capt. Panagiotis Batavanis, the Master of M/T Cap Leon , who highlights that the safety of human life is the most important thing in any case and especially on board.
SAFETY4SEA: What do you love the most out of your career at sea?
Capt. Panagiotis Batavanis: Visiting other countries, sensing other cultures and ways of life, meeting persons of various nationalities on board and ashore, having an adequate salary in order to have a decent life for me and my family.
S4S: What have you learned over the course of your career at sea?
Capt. P.B.: Depending on myself first and foremost, listening to people, realizing that help and advice may come from anywhere and anyone, every day can be an opportunity of learning something new, safety of human life is the most important thing in any case and especially on board.
S4S: How would you describe your daily life at sea / work in a few words?
Capt. P.B.: Trying to keep happy everybody on board and on shore by simply doing the job and respecting the others.
S4S: What is the biggest challenge that you have to face on board?
Capt. P.B.: Keeping the balance between different nationalities and cultures on board. Performing the job in the best way possible. Teaching the younger ones in the right way.
S4S: What is your piece of advice to fellow crew members on board?
Capt. P.B.: First, make sure that you like this kind of career. Then, learn to do the job the best way you can. Don’t rush, make it always safe and get back home in the same condition you came on board because your loved ones will always be there waiting for you.
S4S: What inspires you every day on board?
Capt. P.B.: The satisfaction of doing something useful, the natural acceptance and respect of other seamen, the ability to provide for my family.
S4S: What has been the most extraordinary thing that you have experienced on board?
Capt. P.B.: Recognition of your efforts from other crew members or from the office personnel.
S4S: What is the one thing that should change to make life better on board?
Capt. P.B: Free internet.
S4S: What piece of advice would you give to someone thinking a career at sea?
Capt. P.B.: First, make sure that you like this kind of career. Then, learn to do the job the best way you can. Don’t rush, make it always safe and get back home in the same condition you came on board because your loved ones will always be there waiting for you.
S4S: What do you miss the most about your seagoing experience?
Capt. P.B.: Peace of mind.
The views presented hereabove are only those of the author and do not necessarily those of SAFETY4SEA and are for information sharing and discussion purposes only.
Hi. Due to my experience 20 years at sea and 8 years as marine superintendent most of my answers to subject questions will be the same as Capt. Panagiotis Batavanis answered
I totally agree with Capt., Panagiotis, however, taking into consideration my experience onboard Tankers for almost two decades and more than 7 years as DPA/HSE Manager, the Crew and Officers shall understand the concept of “being resilience”. It is very important for the seafarers to create a framework of resilience and to leverage the stress.