North and Hydra Merchant Marine Academy

For the past 15 years or so we have enjoyed a close and mutually beneficial relationship with the Academy, focused on an annual claims and loss prevention seminar to the cadets. Over the years the seminars have covered a diverse range of topics from P&I insurance, bridge team management, collision avoidance/the COLREGS, bills of lading and letters of indemnity issues, entry into enclosed spaces and cyber risks to name but a few. Many of the cadets we have helped teach begin and continue their careers on our Members’ vessels belonging to the likes of Angelicoussis, Alpha Tankers, Avin, Dynacom, Marmaras, Minerva and Tsakos.

Throughout our association with the Academy we have worked closely with the director of studies Vassilis Stavropoulos and his colleagues, and have seen at first hand their dedication in helping to educate, train, and care for the cadets, who with hard work, and a following wind, are hopefully destined to be the Greek officers of the future. Whenever we give the annual seminar we are always impressed with the enthusiasm and knowledge of the cadets, who are a credit to themselves and the long seafaring traditions and history of the Academy, which bodes well for their future careers, and the continued success of Greek shipping.

We recently interviewed Vassilis Stavropoulos, Director of Studies at the Academy to discuss their relationship with North.

In addition to the annual seminar, North presents an annual award and prize to the year’s best cadet, in recognition of that achievement which is to be applauded given the competition from fellow cadets and the academic excellence on display. In return we were surprised and honoured to receive our own award from the Academy in May 2017 in recognition of the support we have given, presented by Commanding Officer Evangelos Danopoulos of the Hellenic Coastguard.

It goes without saying that we very much value our close relationship with the Academy which we are sure will continue as soon as Covid-19 allows. As part of North’s own loss prevention initiatives over many years, we firmly believe that it is important to help support maritime institutions, such as the Hydra Academy, so that the seafarers of the future are as educated and well prepared as possible, and enjoy long and safe careers at sea. If collectively we succeed in that ambition then to paraphrase Joseph Conrad there should be nothing mysterious to the cadets, unless it be the sea itself.

Below is a short video by the Merchant Marine Academy from a training seminar we provided to their students on 5 May 2017. You can also watch Commanding Officer Evangelos Danopoulos present North’s Tony Allen with our award.