l to r: D. Mitsatsos – HELMEPA Dir. General, Dr G. Gratsos – HELMEPA Chairman, N. Bafaloukos – HELMEPA BoD Treasurer , N. Gerassimou – Legal Advisor to HELMEPA BoD
The 35th Regular General Assembly of HELMEPA, held on Tuesday 16 May 2017, was of a historic character as it was hosted at Member-Company CERES, in the same place where the first General Assembly took place 35 years ago.
HELMEPA’s Chairman Dr G. Gratsos chaired the Assembly with acting Secretaries Mrs. Th. Papaemmanouil of ANANGEL MARITIME SERVICES Inc. and Mr. E. Stergiopoulos of GASLOG LNG SERVICES Ltd.
Dr. George Gratsos
During his brief address, Dr Gratsos made reference to the activities of the association highlighting the training of officers on the bridge simulator, which was acquired by HELMEPA thanks to the efforts of his predecessor, Dr J. Coustas and the kind donation of Corporate Associate Member DNV GL. Referring to the training seminars offered by HELMEPA, which are attended annually by approximately 350 officers and staff of Member Companies, he stressed that they are possibly unique worldwide as they don’t focus only on maritime regulations but also on practical implementation and the operational experience of the vessels’ managing Offices.
At …centre stage Bill Box addressing the GA
The selection of topics is carried out by a Committee of 12 experienced staff members of shipping companies managing a total of approximately 350 vessels – tankers, bulk carriers, container ships, product carriers, chemical carriers and LNG – classification societies and staff of HELMEPA’s Maritime Training Center Secretariat. Therefore, these seminars offer the experience of companies and seafarers of vessels visiting annually approximately 3,000 ports, where they face continuous inspections by authorities.
A view of participants from the General Assembly
Dr Gratsos went on to note that the environmental education initiatives are spreading throughout Greece also with the 3-year long “Campaign” funded by Lloyd’s Register Foundation, while international cooperation with the MEPAs’ network is continuing. Closing, the Chairman stated that “all environmental regulations, inspections, penalties and fines have been created by the international community because there are still people amongst us who have not realized the significant benefits of environmental protection. These are the people we want to approach and enhance their environmental awareness, for their benefit and that of the environment”.
l to r: M. Dalacouras – HELMEPA BoD Deputy Treasurer, J. Xylas –HELMEPA BoD Vice Chairman
The Director General, Mr. D. C. Mitsatsos presented the activities of 2016, which were unanimously approved by the Assembly. The Treasurer of the Board of Directors, Mr. N. Bafaloukos, described the finances during 2016. The Assembly approved the financial status presented by the Auditors, Moore Stephens and released the Board of Directors and Auditors from any management responsibility for the year 2016, electing the latter once again for 2017.
l to r: 1st row: M. Tsikalakis – Chairman of Union of Masters and Mates of the Greek Merchant Marine, D. Mattheou – HELMEPA BoD Member, A. Togantzis – Alpha Bulkers, M. Fragkias – S. Livanos, D. Manos – HELMEPA BoD Member, 2nd row: P. Ioannidis – HELMEPA Honorary Member, M. Los – HELMEPA Honorary Vice-Chairman
Mr. Bill Box, Senior Manager and Commercial Area Manager for Greece/Cyprus of Associate Corporate Member INTERTANKO, conveyed to the Assembly the appreciation of all Members of this international association for the work of HELMEPA, especially the bridge simulator training, the activities of “HELMEPA Junior” and the voluntary beach cleanups.
Closing, he stated that the instigator of the association, the late G. Livanos, “would be thrilled seeing, 35 years later, the achievements of HELMEPA and its sister Associations-MEPAs worldwide”.
Capt Nicholas Soutos (centre left)
Present at the Assembly were the Chairman of CYMEPA, Mr. G. Tsavliris, HELMEPA Founding Members Dr Μ. Los and Ν. Soutos and Honorary Members, Messrs P. Ioannidis, J. Polychronopoulos and Ν. Tsavliris.
l to r: S. Vlachos – Carras Hellas, D. Manos, J. Ioannidis – HELMEPA BoD Member, P. Ioannidis, D. Mitsatsos
A light buffet followed, kindly offered by CERES.
