Company Magazine for the Odfjell Group - March 2005

Commemorating the
loss of Bow Mariner
By Candice Mirasol, Odfjell Manila
M/T Bow Mariner caught fire and
exploded in the morning of February
28th 2004, with 27 crewmembers
onboard, three Greek senior officers
and 24 Filipino officers and ratings.
Only six of the crew survived the accident
that took place 50 miles east of
Chincoteague in Virginia, US. On
February 28th 2005, one year after the
Bow Mariner accident, Magsaysay
Maritime Corporation through their
Crew and Family Affairs section, in cooperation
with Odfjell Manila, organized
a commemoration program for the
families of the affected Filipino mariners.
In order to cover as many family
members as possible, a common
thanksgiving mass was organized in
three provinces in the Philippines:
Cebu, Iloilo, and Manila. The aim was to
honour all those who had perished, and
at the same time give high regard to
the ones who survived.
The gathering in Manila was commenced
with a thanksgiving mass led by a
local parish priest, held with solemnity
and grace. Mr. Alexander Querol, Head
of Crew Manning Operations of
Magsaysay Maritime
Corporation, initiated
the formal occasion by
giving a welcome
remark to all present;
survivors and family
members.
Then, Capt. Kjell
Johansen, Manager of
Odfjell Manila, expressed
the deep sympathy
of Odfjell ASA,
to all those who had
been affected by this
tragic event. In his
warmhearted speech,
he noted that the loss
of lives on board Bow Mariner was not
only felt by the families left behind but
by the whole Odfjell ‘family’ as well. He
continued saying that Odfjell is a company
that places the crew and their
safety as its first priority. Thus, as a consequence
of this accident, Odfjell has
initiated a thorough review of its procedures
and routines both on shore and
on board, to ensure that such an accident
will not happen again.
Gathered in commemoration and mourning.
The event was concluded with a nice
meal for the Bow Mariner families,
survivors, and office personnel from
Odfjell Manila and Magsaysay Maritime
Corporation.
The priest during the thanksgiving
mass.
The children chorale
Capt. Kjell Johansen giving his
commemoration address.
ODFJELL Quarterly March 2005 5