Page 24 - 2022 - Q4 - Minerva in Focus
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LNGC MINERVA AMORGOS Interview with Capt. Michael Lefkos
Capt. Michael Lefkos has 15 years of service in the rank of Master. He has been involved with LNG Carriers since 2004. Since 2005, he has
participated in the deliveries of many newbuildings at the Samsung Heavy Industries shipyard. He has been part of the Minerva family for
two years and has taken delivery of both Minerva Kalymnos and Minerva Amorgos.
that differentiate LNGCs. The crew must be
able to deal effectively and quickly with any
emergency on board, which comes with con-
tinuous training and realistic drill scenarios.
Controlling the pressure or temperature of
the transported cargo without having any
contact with it is the main challenge that
differentiates this type of vessel.
How can someone be a good manag-
er and leader onboard a ship? What
advice would you give to Minerva’s
younger officers?
There are key differences between a leader
and a manager. The two roles are intercon-
nected, and both require experience. A good
manager can achieve targets, but a good
leader is someone who achieves targets as
Taking delivery make it so special for me. There really were part of a team and influences and motivates
a lot of mixed emotions.
their team to become better. That involves
of a new vessel What are the additional duties/ delegation, trust, guidance, and leading by
example.
responsibilities of the Master when
A good manager is a person with leadership
is challenging taking delivery of a new LNG carrier? skills. They can listen, read the situation,
make decisions, take responsibility, and han-
Taking delivery of a new vessel is challeng-
dle consequences.
and requires ing and requires dedication and hard work. My advice to the young officers is not to take
At all times, the captain must have a broad
dedication and picture of the progress in the preparation of what they have now for granted. We live in
taking delivery and ensure crew readiness to
an ever-changing, challenging world that re-
quires dedication and commitment. A good
carry out their seagoing duties. That requires
hard work a lot of steadiness, guidance, and constant officer is not the one handling or navigating
the ship. A good officer must be a responsi-
reminders of the targets.
That is the highest risk period for any new
ship. The crew is new, the officers have not ble officer, as mentioned in the STCW. They
must be able to command and control, lead
Ιnterview with been sailing or proceeding with different by example, have sufficient knowledge, and
Captain Michael Lefkos types of tasks for a few months, the team- carry out safe operations for the crew and
work bonds are still developing, the crew has the ship.
Master, Minerva Amorgos
not fully tested the ship systems, and, finally,
let us not forget the Covid risk of this era. I hope the new generation can understand
What were your feelings while that taking what they have for granted and
attending the delivery of Minerva What are LNG carriers’ particularities not progressing will never make them re-
Amorgos? compared to other types of ships? sponsible officers/captains. There are many
officers around the world, of many nation-
It is always exciting to be the captain of a LNGCs are considered the most advanced alities, who would go to great lengths to get
new vessel. All ships delivered under my and expensive ships nowadays. So, they an opportunity as the Minerva officers have.
captaincy are engraved in my memory need precision and continuous maintenance I advise them to use their time onboard to
and hold a special place for me. Minerva to maintain their value and deliver their pre- gain experience and knowledge.
Amorgos is my eighth LNG/c delivery in my cious cargo safely. Experience and knowledge are your passport
career as a captain and probably the last I consider cargo handling procedures and for the future. Be better than my generation
one, and that is one of the reasons that emergency readiness the two major factors because this means that we are progressing!
24 MINERVA IN FOCUS – ISSUE 22 / Q4 2022