NORD NEWS

Mrs. Oldendorff with Mr. Krause
in the centre and
Mr. Thomas Reich.
18 NORD NEWS Autumn 2007
....and
Congratulations to Mr. Bodo Krause, Director
On the 1st of July Mr. Krause celebrated his 30th anniversary at Reederei
"NORD" Klaus E. Oldendorff. Due to the christening of the new vessel
"NORDSPRING" the celebration had been postponed to the 12th of
July. It was Mr. Krause's wish to celebrate this event with a dinner at the
restaurant "Rodizio Panthera"with all the staff of the Hamburg office.
Rodizio is a Brazilian restaurant located near our office.
For everyone who hasn't heard of eating Rodizio, is a
culinary Brazilian tradition. You start off with a salad buffet next the
waiter walks around the table carrying long spits with all kinds of
meat. Then he cuts off little pieces according to your personal
preferences and appetite. Choices ranged from pork, beef, lamb,
turkey, chicken, sausages over peppers, mushrooms, beans, potatoes
to pineapple and crumbed bananas. Finally there is a delicious and
elegantly presented dessert buffet.
We met at the restaurant after work and gathered around a long table, had some lovely Italian or
Argentinian red wine and enjoyed the fabulous dinner in a typical South American atmosphere with live
music. Then Mr. Rybarczyk made a speech about Mr. Krause's work at Reederei "NORD"
Klaus E. Oldendorff who was presented with flowers and a commemorative silver plate by Mrs. Oldendorff.
Afterwards Mr. Krause gave a brief overview of his career with the company and that he still enjoys every
moment at Reederei "NORD" Klaus E. Oldendorff. We all were happy to spend the time together and
enjoyed the evening until late at night.
Congratulations to Mr. Milan Smrcek on completing
10 years of service.....
My first contact with Reederei “NORD” happened on 18th August
1993, in Hong Kong, when the agent from Wai Fat took me on board
MV “NORDSUND” to serve a 9 month contract as an engine cadet.
This was not my first contract, as I did my academy praxis on board a
polish steamship company vessel. But the first contract with “NORD”
was certainly one of the most important ones, as it can be called a real
'crash course' in engine room maintenance. My first Chief Engineer
was my today's colleague Mr. Grzegorz Kowalczyk and right after him
Mr. Roman Kalandyk. It was a busy time, but in a view of the future
handling of 'situations' very helpful indeed.
There was hardly a day without surprises and with the
Mr. Smrcek, receiving his commemorative 10
year anniversary bowl from Mr. Rybarczyk,
Managing Director of Reederei “NORD”
Klaus E. Oldendorff GmbH on the left.
sailing on the route Hong Kong - Keelung - Kaohsiung - Hong Kong every surprise was unexpected. But I
must admit that under the kind 'coaching' of C/E Kowalczyk and C/E Kalandyk I was getting along with
the work. With some slips here and there, but ahead. After this vessel followed the old “NORDSTAR”,
then the “NORDSINO” and so on. Apart from the vessels built in Poland and tankers I think I went
through most of the types of vessels. Over the years I worked my way through the different ranks and the
biggest change was from 2/E to C/E rank. To make the ticket was very easy compared to taking over the
highest position in the engine room. Especially, when there is nobody else to turn to for advice, but yourself.
Then came the possibility to join the Hamburg office as a Superintendent, which appeared as a new
challenge and a new perspective to my working life. So I joined the Hamburg office in March 2004, with
only a rather faint idea of how much work and what type of problems were awaiting for me. I have a feeling
I haven't stopped working since, which I believe, is the general feeling of the people working in shipping.
I would like to thank the company for the years I spent working for Reederei “NORD”
Klaus E. Oldendorff, my friends, colleagues and crewmembers I met over the years ashore and at sea for
their support and kind cooperation and I look forward to the years to come!