Navigare 4 - Sjøfartsdirektoratet

Happy birthday Erna!
On the 23rd of November,
Erna Christie got to celebrate
her seventieth birthday on
board the Skandi Commander,
alongside Blaikies Quay in
Aberdeen. Erna is, as everybody
knows, the manager of
the seamen’s welfare offi ce in
Aberdeen.
It all started a couple of weeks in advance,
when Captain of the Skandi
Falcon, Mr. Kjell Aas, began a collection
for Erna’s birthday, in order to arrange
a present for her from the ships.
So an e-mail campaign went around
the vessels, and fi nally, on the morning
of her birthday, a total of 4.120 pounds
had been raised. Several vessels, shipowners
and agents had gladly contributed.
Th e gift was presented to Erna on
the afternoon of her big day, in the
mess-room of the Skandi Commander,
during a small ceremony with some
guests from Skandi Rona and music
performed by “the Dirty Mess Band” of
Commander.
It was a very surprised Erna who
received the present, on what she
thought would be just another regular
visit on board.
Let’s hope she will enjoy the present
to the full, she’s all worth it!
Pål R. Stenersen,
Captain - M/V Skandi Commander
36 NAVIGARE 4 - 2007
THE BIRTHDAY PRESENT. A happy and slightly overwhelmed Erna Christie was presented with the
cheque by the captain of the Commander, Pål R. Stenersen. – I only wished I could have dressed up a little bit
for the occasion, said Erna, – but there was no time. I went to visit nineteen other ships that day as well.
POPULAR LADY. Th e Dirty Mess Band performed for Erna on her big day. Th ere is no doubt that seafarers
from other nations, as well as Norway, treasure her for her tireless welfare work. All will be happy to know that
she has agreed to stay on as station manager for another two years.