On Wednesday 20 April 2016, HELMEPA presented the Bridge Simulator that its corporate member DNV GL kindly offered.

The Founding Members of HELMEPA, Dr. Mattheos Los and Captain Panagiotis Tsakos, and the Honorary Members Mr. Pavlos Ioannidis and Spyros Maurikis were present at the event. The Union of Greek Shipowners was represented by Mr. Panos Laskaridis, PEPEN by its President Mr. E. Tsikalakis, while from the Navy, Rear Admiral Alexandros Diakopoulos, Commander of Naval Training and staff officers attended the presentation.

Very important persons spoke to the camera of maritimes TV, such as Mr. Dimitris Mitsatsos who noted that HELMEPA was founded as a volunteer organization in 1982 and its founders much supported the company without thinking about personal gain and Mr. Pavlos Ioannidis, the inspirer of HELMEPA training programs who said that he moved around the grounds of aviation safety in shipping “…and indeed we implemented it in 1984. IMO made it mandatory after 15 years…”

Capt. Panagiotis Tsakos, a founding member of HELMEPA said that they supported this effort with all their strength, “Because we believed in Man…” as he stressed. Also, he feels satisfied with the progress of HELMEPA and he noted that in order to exist and achieve great deeds, Greek shipping should have Greek sailors.

Interview: Markos Kantzios, Montage: Studio Panos Halkidis

www.maritimes.gr