Seafaring is not just a job, but rather, a college, according to Ioannis Angelidis, 2nd Officer, who throughout his career at sea has not only evolved as an officer but also grown as a person.
He advises to keep tranquility of mind, especially when things can be easily fixed and further stresses the complexity of human relationships onboard, as well as the need for a change to the whole attitude from management companies.
SAFETY4SEA: What do you love the most out of your career at sea?
Ioannis Angelidis:
What I love the most out of my career at sea is the moment that you learn that you do not have limits and learn that nothing is unachievable.
S4S: What have you learned over the course of your career at sea?
IA: What I have learned cannot be included in one small article. I believe that as most of our colleagues, we learn so many things that even we cannot understand the amount of information that we receive. And I do not speak only for work but also for our life. This job is not a school, but a college, due to the fact that we share so many moments of our life and we learn from the others’ experience. I should say that what I have learned is to listen to everybody because definitely you have something to get from them.
S4S: How would you describe your daily life at sea/work in a few words?
IA: A routine; as everybody in land- but as everybody, it’s in our hand to make it interesting or boring.
S4S: What is the biggest challenge that you have to face on board?
IA: I have dealt with many challenges. But what I can say that the biggest have been human relationships. It is not always smooth with human relationships.
S4S: What is your piece of advice to fellow crew members onboard?
IA: Peace guys, if something can be printed or fixed easily it is ok. Be calm and relax.
S4S: What inspires you every day onboard?
IA: My plans when I will be back to my family!
S4S: What has been the most extraordinary thing that you have experienced on board?
IA: I believe that the most extraordinary thing is my life. My career path and my evolution as not only as an officer but as a man.
S4S: What is the one thing that should change to make life better on board?
IA: I do not think it is one thing, but the whole attitude from the management companies.
S4S: What piece of advice would you give to someone thinking a career at sea?
IA:
Choose what do you want to be… just a seaman or an officer. Both of them are a stance of life.
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.
