Page 51 - 2024 - Q3 - Minerva in Focus

MINERVA IN FOCUS Our people

How did you feel when you first found the crew. On the ship, we must protect the machinery
out you’d be heading to the polar and equipment to ensure smooth operations and avoid
regions? damages that could cause difficulties. The entire crew
When I received the proposal from the company to make must be equipped with the necessary clothing for low
a voyage to the polar region, a feeling of excitement about temperatures. Proper planning of the ship’s needs is also
the unknown came over me. I felt that I had to face a essential so as not to unnecessarily expose the crew for
challenge, something I had never experienced before, extended periods of time to the extreme cold.
and I wanted to make it happen. When you love what you
do, you seek new experiences, so this was an amazing Can you describe what it was like to
opportunity to do so. witness the polar landscape for the first
time?
What were your expectations before When I travel to a new region for the first time, I always
setting off, and how do they compare to feel a sense of exploration and discovery. In this case, I
the reality of being in the polar region? was able to see and read about the geography of the area.
I was lucky enough to have travelled with ships in all sea- What stood out to me during our voyage in the Barents
sons at the edge of the polar region, so I had an idea of Sea was that the average depth of the sea was around
what I would face in terms of weather conditions. What im- 200 meters, which seemed shallow for an ocean.
pressed me the most were the sudden changes in weather
phenomena, to the point where, in some cases, we could What role does technology play in
not have immediate updates from the weather report. ensuring safety and communication in
such remote areas?
How does the polar environment affect The role of technology is crucial in such regions because
your day-to-day routine compared to it allows for fast communications and a greater volume of
more familiar sailing conditions? information, thus ensuring safety and providing immediate
The polar region is an ocean filled with many unpredict- assistance whenever needed. Instant and accurate updates
able dangers, so constant vigilance is required. In this on the potential dangers in the area, such as icebergs or ice
area, you do not encounter other ships sailing, which thickness, guarantee the ship’s secure passage.
creates a sense of insecurity. It is necessary to have
continuous communication, and the entire crew must be What has been your most memorable
informed about the ship’s specialised rescue equipment moment or sight on this polar trip so far?
and its proper use. There are many memories that have stayed with me. Some-
thing that made a great impression on me was the vast
How did you adapt to the extreme cold expanses of land without trees, which was entirely new to
and the harsh weather conditions? me. In areas where there was no ice, the low vegetation
The key is proper preparation of both the vessel and really stood out.