12 LMM V I S I O N ISSUE 23 | Q4 2025 credit each and every one for accomplishing the task safety and in line with company procedures. RI: Company procedures are guardrails designed to manage risk; demonstrating understanding of company procedures is less about reciting the manual and more about showing how those rules translate into safe, efficient result. One of the best ways to demonstrate your understanding is by conducting toolbox talk or briefings and identify the required PPE and permits requirements before the work starts. Use stop work authority if condition changes or become unsafe. EK: On board Hellas Voyager, Company procedures are applied as operational safeguards, not administrative requirements. My role is to ensure they are understood, implemented and verified in practice. Before any critical operation, cargo handling, navigation in confined waters, enclose space entry, hot work or bunkering, we follow a structed sequence: detailed planning, formal risk assessment, toolbox talk, clear allocation of responsibilities and active supervision during execution. I personally verify that all involved officers are familiar with the applicable procedure and that control measures are in place before commencement. During operations, emphasis is placed on communication, crosschecking and strict adherence to checklists. Deviations are not tolerated unless formally reassessed. If conditions change, we stop, re-evaluate and proceed only when risks are controlled. After completion, we conduct short reviews focusing on what went well, what could be improved and whether procedures were sufficient. This continuous verification ensures that procedures are not only followed, but fully integrated into our safety culture. DV: I demonstrate my understanding by consistently following Company’s documented procedures, safety management system and standard operating procedures in daily work. Before any task, I review the relevant procedures, risk assessments and permits to ensure all steps and controls are clearly understood by the team. Plan, Toolbox talk, prepare area, control of working area, final check and start work are the main keys for good safely performing of any job. During execution, I verify that each step is performed as planned, safety barriers are in place, and required measures are applied. After completion, I participate in debriefings and report any deviations and improvement suggestions, ensuring lessons learned are captured and shared. What is required for the ship leaders to serve as mentors and maintain their coaching and engagement skills? DO: For a ship leader to effectively serve as mentors, he should also be an active listener. It creates trust and safe environment for open dialogue with his subordinates. When making questions, he should refrain from giving direct answers, rather ask open-minded questions in order for them to self-reflect and independent problem-solving. Leaders should not criticize but rather give constructive feedback to the crew on a factual basis, in a timely manner for their growth and understanding. Leaders should also build psychological connections for the crew members to have a safe environment for them to comfortably share ideas, beliefs and it may include admitting mistakes or errors without fear of incrimination. CP: Leaders must always demonstrate professionalism, accountability, and integrity with strong interpersonal and communications skills. We must practice active listening and promote a psychological safe environment where crew feel confident to speak up. In order for the crew to ask questions we must make them feel comfortable and offer answers or solution to the problem rather than judgement to the person. Mentoring our subordinates will make our life safer and easier knowing that we are sailing across the oceans on one ship with competent sailors which were trained and mentored by us. Being visible, approachable and supportive, we strengthen team competence and overall performance of our crew onboard. RI: To serve as effective mentor and maintain the coaching and engagement skills, ship leaders must balance regulatory and compliance with a proactive “culture of feedback”. Being a leader is not just giving orders but also an active listener. EK: Ship Leaders must combine authority with responsibility for developing their teams. On a gas carrier, mentioning is directly linked to safety performance. Senior Officers are expected to demonstrate correct practices at all times, from permits to work compliance to bridge resource management. Coaching is conducted during daily operations like correct use of equipment and / or ensuring juniors underSEAFARERS’ INTERVIEW
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