My ESVAGT
Thomas V. Pedersen, Boat mechanic
Born and raised in Esbjerg. Trained auto mechanic in 2011, and afterwards Able Ship’s Assistant and Mechanist in ESVAGT. Boat mechanic in the Workshop in ESVAGT since 2019.
He uses his spare time on sailing dinghies and following Esbjerg Energy Hockey in Granly Hockey Arena.
Brian Kristiansen, captain, ‘Esvagt Njord’.
Studied at SIMAC and Marstal Navigationsskole. Living in Børkop, situated between Fredericia and Vejle. Married and a father of two boys aged 7 and 9. He uses his spare time on hunting and teaching the family Labrador to pick up ducks and geese.
Kurt Pedersen
76 years old – has spend 55 years at sea. He lives in Esbjerg, married to Lene and father of Henrik and Jesper. Has four grandchildren.
After 15 years in the fishing industry, Frank Nielsen wanted to try something different. He had heard ESVAGT was a good place to work. Now he has work more than 20 years in ESVAGT.
Leo Frederiksen was the boat captain the night, when 49 people from the capsized ‘West Gamma’ were rescued by the crews from ‘Esvagt Protector’ and ‘Esvagt Omega’.
“I must praise the Danish sailors; there wasn’t the slightest thing they could have done better – from start to finish, “said one of the rescued, the Norwegian sea captain Asbjørn Rislaa.
“When you have been through wave heights of 8 m, you get a different perspective on trusting your equipment”
Innovation can take many forms and expressions. Take the oblong piece of PU-foam attached on the three lifting eyes on an ESVAGT FRB, for instance. It does not look like much, but the foam is a hook pad serving as an additional safety measure, ensuring the fixing of the vessel’s lifting hook.
The hook pad is a great idea, that increases the safety level on a boat, that has already been adapted and adjusted over many years. Since ESVAGT’s early years, the company has been built its own boats – and for just as long, these boats have been refined and updated.
The development of the hook pad was a collaborative effort among ESVAGT colleagues. When the initial idea was set, the 31-year-old mechanic Thomas V. Pedersen took charge of the final design. He works as a service technician with ESVAGT FRBs in the workshop on a daily basis, and uses his practical experience gained during four years as an able ships assistant where FRBs were the primary work tool.
“The hook pad is a very small part of a large boat design. It’s interesting to see, that the part, I participated in designing is an integrated part of ESVAGT on 51 FRB’s says” Thomas V. Pedersen.
A learning organization
The hook pad is the result of cooperation between ESVAGT’s Operation and Workshop; it underwent 96 completed tests and received final approval from ESVAGT’s Boat Committee, allowing the ESVAGT-orange foam banana to become part of the design.
“The teamwork and the exchange of experience are characteristic for ESVAGT. Being part of a learning organization brings value according to Thomas V. Pedersen“
“You don’t get anywhere in ESVAGT without proper arguments. However, if you have them, people will listen. It has been that way since my trip as an ordinary ship’s assistant and until I stopped as chief engineer and second commander on board”, he says: “Any idea from any part of the crew has value. You will be heard. That spirit is special to ESVAGT, I believe. Sure, the Master is in charge on board the vessels, no doubt about it – but the Master is also willing to listen, whether it is the youngest man or the cook speaking.”
This approach holds great value, according to Thomas V. Pedersen “When you consider that all colleagues at ESVAGT for 40 years have had the same approach, it really does add value. All seafarers, who worked on the boats and wondered ways to make things better have contributed to embedding a wealth of the knowledge put into the boat” he says.
Experience and theory
Thomas V. Pedersen began in ESVAGT with a background as an auto mechanic. In his initial years he sailed on ‘Esvagt Carina’ and ‘Esvagt Carpathia’ as an able ship’s assistant, before going ashore to study engineering in Frederikshavn. Through ‘Esvagt Stavanger’ he came to ‘Esvagt Cantana’; then participated in bringing ‘Esvagt Mercator’ to Denmark from Istanbul. He also spend time on ‘Esvagt Capri’, before he saw a opportunity ashore and seizing it:
“They were looking for someone in the workshop, and I thought: I had a decent chance. I have practical experience from several hundred hours of sailing on the boats. I have some knowledge, the workshop doesn’t. “When you have been through wave heights of 8 meter, you get a different perspective on trusting your equipment”, he says:
“It seemed very natural to take this step and work on the boats today” Thomas V Pedersen says.
”In my opinion, all new recruits should have a couple of trips on a Group 3 vessel and handle the controls”
The first time Brian Kristiansen had to join an an ESVAGT vessel, he couldn’t find it. He was used to sailing with Maersk and Norden on very large vessels as an officer – now he was standing on the quayside in Esbjerg searching for ‘Esvagt Echo’.
“My wife had dropped me of in Esbjerg for my first assignment. It was a low tide, and the vessels seemed even smaller than they were. We were looking at the wrong height”, says Brian Kristiansen.
Finally he found ‘Esvagt Echo’, and despite the vessel looking quite small, it was the perfect match: “The vessels I was accustomed to could store ‘Esvagt Echo’ on deck easily. Now, I had to switch to a much smaller vessel where it actually mattered whether you could sail or not. This was an entirely different challenge”, Brian Kristiansen says.
The fishermen can
‘Esvagt Echo’ was an excellent learning ground:
“You can say a lot about the old fishermen, but they can really sail. I had Michael Bysted as the captain, and he could teach. He is the same age as me, but very experienced. I learned about manoeuvring, current conditions, reading the sea… ”, Brian Kristiansen says: “These guys have worked themselves half to death on a fishing vessel. That builds a fantastic calmness and superb competence”, he adds.
To him it was like taking a new degree.
“I came from a different approach at Mærsk and Norden, and it felt almost like a completely different profession. The training you get at school on how to manoeuvre is in no way comparable to the training you get on board a fishing vessel. When you stand beside a master, and he says ‘yes that’s fine, but if you tweak this lever…’ You learn a lot from that,” says Brian Kristiansen. .
He disembarked ‘Esvagt Echo’ after half a year to switch to ‘Esvagt Observer’. Here he spend four years and absorbed at ESVAGT culture:
“On ‘Esvagt Observer’ I became part of a crew dedicated to following the rules. There was a significant respect for the rules and procedures, and it was actually quite simple: If you do your job within the prescribed boundaries, then it’s okay”, Brian Kristiansen says:
“When I switched to ‘Esvagt Njord’ as Chief Officer, I had a captain who was extremely disciplined. It was an easy way to work, and I’ve carried that forward: If you stay within the framework, things won’t go wrong”, Brian Kristiansen says.
Safety requires dialogue
Brian Kristiansen feels he’s taken the best from all the vessels and used it all in his daily life as the master of ‘Esvagt Njord’. “If it were up to me, all new recruits should have a couple of trips on a Group 3 vessel and handle the controls to learn the trade. It’s good to have a more theoretical background, as I do, but you become a more complete seaman by experiencing and learning various aspects of the trade,” says Brian Kristiansen.
“When you’re operating close to wind turbines, as we do on ‘Esvagt Njord’, I am certainly glad I don’t just have theory in place,” he says.
Another element that adds value is understanding procedures and a strong safety culture. It provides the confidence to act in a critical situation; something ‘Esvagt Njord’ needed when a fishing vessel required help after two explosions onboard. The SOV assisted and all seven fishermen were evacuated. The crew was presented a safety award from Equinor for their efferts.
“We acted on the feeling that something was wrong. As seafarers in general, and maybe even more so as seafarers in ESVAGT, we’re used to keeping our ears near the radio all the time. When the fishing vessel called for another vessel in the area without getting a response, I contacted the vessel and asked if any assistance was needed. That’s when they told me, that the ship was taking in water, so we launched our FRB and send it over to assist”, he says.
When the FRBs arrived, it quickly became clear that the situation was more serious than imagined. “Fortunately, we had very experienced and professional seafarers in the FRB, and they quickly called for further assistance. Everyone handled the situation exemplary as one vessel and one crew”, he says.
”ESVAGT is a place where good ideas are heard – It is a great quality and contributes to ensuring that we are skilled at our work”.
“When the master takes the lead, it spreads”
Kurt Pedersen had half a lifetime at sea as an independent fisherman before he applied for ESVAGT in 2005 at the mature age of 60 years.
He knew several fishermen who had taken the same route, and at ESVAGT he found much of the unity and camaraderie, he knew and valued from the fishing industry:
“I come from the time when Jenny (personnel manager for seafarers, Jenny Knudsen, editor’s note) would send a bouquet of flowers to the wife when she wanted to send a sailor out for an extra trip,” he says:
“Back then, ESVAGT was a workplace where everyone knew each other. People ran the business as if it were their own, and there was probably a greater sense of co-ownership than there is in the company today“, says Kurt Pedersen.
The master takes charge
Esbjerg native Kurt Pedersen is a trained machinist from Grumsens Machine factory. The money in the fishery drew him to sea, and he had many years with his own ship before changing job. Those experiences have been beneficial in ESVAGT:
“As an independent fishing skipper, both seamanship and leadership are important. That’s the same in ESVAGT. You need to be professionally competent, and you have to take responsibility“, he says.
The commitment starts at the top.
“When the master leads the way, it spreads. An engaged master, who has experience and a professional standards tributes to setting the tone for the rest of the crew. That’s how we maintain our culture” says Kurt Pedersen.
He believes in demanding something from each other, and on ‘Esvagt Preserver’ he doesn’t hesitate to give the young colleagues ‘homework’ “They need to know the vessel and understand where we are. We ask them because it is important and because we must be able to trust each other to be able to take care of each other” says Kurt Pedersen:
“I have had 55 years at sea without incidents, and we’ve completed 32 years on ‘Esvagt Preserver’ without accidents. It only succeeds if everyone support the culture and and the idea that we all need to return home safely to our families. We must remember that imprint. As BS Christiansen said on a leadership seminar “First you have to have control of yourself. ESVAGT thrives on selling safety, and if we can’t conduct ourselves safely on board, we can’t help others“, says Kurt Pedersen.
Pedagogy is fun
Kurt Pedersen is 76 years old and admits that there are days when it’s noticaeable:
“It’s not as easy as when I was young – that’s for sure” he says with a smile:
“But I still think it’s fun. We have a really good camaraderie and we have two great teams on ‘Esvagt Preserver’. As long as I feel this way and can contribute something, I’ll keep doing it“, says Kurt Pedersen.
He enjoys working with the younger colleagues. “The pedagogical aspect and sharing experience are some of the things I find enjoyable about going to work. I believe, I have something to offer after 55 years at sea, and it is nice that the younger colleagues are eager to learn“, he says.
“I have always had a soft spot for ESVAGT. Now, it’s just even greater”
Captain Frank Nielsen sailed for almost 20 years with ESVAGT before a sick leave due to stress sent him home. Now, he works onshore – and loves his workplace. “I can actually sit on weekends and look forward to Monday,” he says.
Things moved swiftly when Frank Nielsen was hired by ESVAGT in 2004. After 15 years in the fishing industry, he needed a change. Having heard that ESVAGT was a good place to work, he knocked on their door and inquired about any openings.
“I had a brief chat with Hans Richard – almost out on the steps. After he heard what he needed to, he said, ‘You’re hired – go to Carl Backs for some work clothes.’ By midnight, I had boarded the ‘Esvagt Alpha,’ and that’s how it all began,” Frank Nielsen recalls.
And begin he did. Frank Nielsen served as an officer on the crew change vessel and on many of ESVAGT’s C-vessels and Group 3 vessels.
“It was great work and an amazing time. Transitioning from the fishing industry, it was an encounter with an entirely different work culture. In fishing, we had to rush to finish the work; in ESVAGT, it had to be safe before it was considered done. I appreciated that difference, and I still do,” says Frank Nielsen.
“I am proud of what we are and do at ESVAGT.”
Sent home due to stress
But after nearly twenty years at sea, stress hit Frank Nielsen.
“It came suddenly, and it took me by surprise. But it was clear: I couldn’t endure sailing anymore,” he says.
“It had to do with being away from home. In my younger years, it was the norm; you were at sea, away from the family. But as a grandfather, it became tough for me. I had a guilty conscience and didn’t thrive,” says Frank Nielsen.
So, he disembarked and was sent home due to stress.
“It was nice to be home, but after a while, I needed something to do. One day, Nick Vejlgaard Ørskov dropped by and asked if I’d be interested in helping out in the workshop. I could start slowly and see if it suited me. It made me happy,” says Frank Nielsen.
Best colleagues
He started with a few hours, and it went well. When a position opened up, he was encouraged to apply.
“I’m originally trained as a blacksmith, and I know the boats from my many years at sea, so I thought, ‘I could give this a try,'” says Frank Nielsen.
He hasn’t regretted it.
“Transitioning to land has been fantastic for me. The work in the workshop is educational, diverse, and interesting, and the colleagues are top-notch; they’re the best I could wish for. I can actually sit on weekends and look forward to Monday,” he says.
He’s especially pleased that ESVAGT remains his workplace.
“I’ve encountered so much flexibility and understanding, more than one could wish for. ESVAGT saw opportunities that I couldn’t see myself, and Nick, Kristian Ole, and Søren Westphal have been absolutely exceptional. I’ve always had a soft spot for ESVAGT. Now, it’s just even bigger,” he says.
“When we train, we are familiar with our gear and our tasks. It gives better chance of success.”
“We must be competent and lucky every time”
Throughout a 35-year-long ESVAGT career, Leo Frederiksen has seen his fair share of the sharp end if the stick.
First officer Leo Frederiksen had been with ESVAGT for four years when, on a stormy night in August 1990, he was facing the ultimate exam as a FRB boat operator.
From ‘Esvagt Omega’ he had followed the wrecked rig ‘West Gamma’ as she battled with time, waves, and wind.
By 3 o’clock at night, the rigs Installation Manager announced to ‘Esvagt Omega’ that the rig had to evacuate. ‘Esvagt Omega’ and ‘Esvagt Protector’ got ready for a rescue operation, as did the tugboat ‘Normann Drott’ and a Norwegian guard vessel.
“The atmosphere was calm and focused. We knew what to do; they were in the water; we had a job getting them out of it. I felt as if I was wearing blinders. Completely focused,” says Leo Frederiksen:
“We had trained a lot, in harsh weather, too. Not this harsh, nor at night, but: We knew what to do and trusted each other, had faith in the equipment and in our training,” he says.
Physically exhausted
The confidence was justified.
All 49 rig members survived the encounter with the waves. The Norwegian lifeboat pulled four people from the water and ‘Normann Drott’ one; ‘Esvagt Protector’ rescued 16 people, and ‘Esvagt Omega’ rescued 30 – including two crew members from ‘Normann Drott’s capsized lifeboat.
“We had our boat on the water 6, 7, maybe 8 times, I do not remember exactly. Allan, Nikolaj and I hooked people out of the water; offloaded them to ‘Esvagt Omega’ and headed back out towards the helicopter’s search light for the next bunch. It just went on and on, ”says Leo Frederiksen:
“When we finished, I was completely drained. Physically and mentally. It is hard work to operate a rescue boat in stormy weather and I was physically exhausted and mentally completely empty. There was human life at stake. However, with 30 people on board needing to talk and in need of aid, we had to pick ourselves up and delay the relaxation,” he recalls.
After disembarking the ‘West Gamma’ crew in Esbjerg and a de-briefing with colleagues on land, ‘Esvagt Omega ’returned to work on the North Sea.
“We were with the people we needed to talk to, should we need a talk. It was just good to be back at work,” remembers Leo Frederiksen.
You need luck
That August night on the North Sea was a baptism of fire. It was, however, far from an isolated incidence for Leo Frederiksen. During his career in ESVAGT Leo has assisted in the evacuation of fishing boats hit by fire and of capsizing coasters, and he has assisted in numerous rescues, operations, and actions.
“I am very much a ‘let us have a nice, quiet shift’-type of guy. Then again, should something happen it is very reassuring to know, that we are up for it, ”says Leo Frederiksen.
To be ready, come what may, you have to be able to trust yourself, your colleagues, and – last but not least – in the material. ESVAGT has developed good FRBs, and with continuous training in all kinds of weather, both boat and crew have every chance of being able to make a difference. – It is all about giving luck the best odds possible, says Leo Frederiksen:
“We are skilled and professional rescuers, definitely. But we also need a little luck. Are we able to find who you are looking for at sea? Will you get there on time? Five minutes after, the crew evacuated ‘West Gamma’, the rig capsized. This could have been a completely different situation, a tragedy. It takes a lot of skill to be able to put a boat out there, when the waves are ten meters tall; but it also takes a bit of luck to succeed and find the people, we are out there to rescue. We need to be competent and a little lucky every time,” he says.
Train to succeed
Leo Frederiksen has competently led vessels through many types of operations during his 35 years in ESVAGT. “You never know what will happen or how you will react to it. Take the crew on ‘Esvagt Aurora’, for instance, and how they helped put out a fire in a gas installation on land. Or take the crew on ‘Esvagt Njord’, which had to evacuate many severely injured fishermen after several explosions on board their vessel. Those tasks are completely different situations to ‘simply’ pulling people out of the water,” he says:“It shows the ESVAGT attitude: If we can do something, then we do it,” says Leo Frederiksen