NEWS FROM THE DANISH SEAMENS MISSION
No. 3 2026
WAVES
Henri Senft Loves Technology Henri Senft elsker teknologi
The Pilot is in an iPad Lodsen er i en iPad
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Congratulations and Well Done! The Danish Mission to Seafarers took part in the award ceremony at Svendborg International Maritime Academy, where Communications Manager Mads Futtrup presented awards to students who had demonstrated outstanding social skills. To Kennie Nielsen, Ordinary Ship’s Assistant (right): “You bring out smiles, good moments, and a positive atmosphere wherever you go. Being in your company is always a pleasure, and that deserves great recognition.”
WAVES No. 3 • 2026 • Vol. 13 Published by: Danish Seamen's Mission Jens Baggesens Vej 71 8200 Aarhus N Denmark Tlf. +45 3393 2543 www.somandsmissionen.dk
Til Kennie Nielsen, ubefaren skibsassistent (th): ”Du skaber smil, gode stunder og godt humør, der hvor du er. I din nærhed er der godt selskab - og det fortjener stor anerkendelse.”
Executive Editor: General secretary, Nicolaj Wibe Editor: Hanne Baltzer, tlf. +45 2288 4496 Mail: hab@somandsmissionen.dk Print run: 3000 Waves is printed on eco-friendly paper.
Hurra og tillykke Sømandsmissionen var med ved prisuddelingen på Svendborg Søfartsskole, hvor kommunikationschef Mads Futtrup uddelte priser til elever med en særlig god social kompetence.
Yearly subscription: 200 Dkr. Layout and print: Jørn Thomsen Elbo A/S Cover: Henri Senft works on the new ship FRIDA. The German seafarer loves technology and life at sea.
WAVES Nr. 3 • 2026 • 13. årgang Udgives af: Indenlandsk Sømandsmission Jens Baggesens Vej 71 8200 Aarhus N Denmark Tlf. +45 3393 2543 www.somandsmissionen.dk Ansvh. redaktør: Generalsekretær, Nicolaj Wibe Redaktør og journalist: Hanne Baltzer, tlf. +45 2288 4496 Mail: hab@somandsmissionen.dk Oplag: 3000 Waves er trykt på miljøvenligt papir. Årsabonnement: 200 kr. Layout og tryk: Jørn Thomsen Elbo A/S Forside: Henri Senft arbejder på det nye skib FRIDA. Tyskeren elsker teknologi og livet til søs.
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Christening of the Coaster Frida It is extremely rare for the Danish Mission to Seafarers to play a role in the christening of a ship. Therefore, it was a great honor to accept and participate when the German shipping company SAL requested a ceremony in connection with the christening of their new vessel in Esbjerg, as well as a short devotional service for the seafarers on board. The brand new state-of-the-art vessel had just arrived at the Port of Esbjerg carrying large offshore wind turbine towers from China and was preparing to continue its voyage to the United States. Now, on a cold day, invited guests are gathered for a small, intimate celebration of the ship’s christening. The christening of a vessel is a tradition dating back to ancient times and is a central part of maritime customs—a symbolic act intended to bestow good fortune upon the ship and its crew and to ensure safe voyages. Missionary to seafarers Finn Løvlund offered a brief blessing and then led a short prayer before Frida Mortensen took over and christened the vessel Frida WAVES 3 • 2026
by breaking a champagne bottle against the hull. Frida is the daughter of Thomas Mortensen, Head of Shipping, Offshore Wind at Siemens Wind Power A/S, who has been deeply involved in the production of the ship all the way from concept to completion. The vessel is chartered by Siemens Gamesa.
Dåb af coasteren Frida
Missionary to seafarers Finn Løvlund conducted a devotional service for the ship’s 26 crew members. During the service, he prayed for God’s protection over the crew and the ship’s continued journey. He also thanked God for each individual on board and prayed that they would be given strength and joy and be kept safe from harm.
Det er utroligt sjældent, at Sømandsmissionen er aktør, når et skib skal døbes. Derfor var det en stor ære at takke ja og deltage, da det tyske rederi SAL efterspurgte en ceremoni i forbindelse med dåb af deres nye skib i Esbjerg og en andagt til søfolkene ombord. Det topmoderne, nye skib var netop anløbet Esbjerg Havn med store offshore vindmølletårne fra Kina og skulle sejle videre til USA. Nu skulle det døbes en kold dag med indbudte gæster til den højtidelige fejring. Dåbsceremonien for et skib er en tradition, der går tilbage til gammel tid og er en del af maritime ritualer – en symbolsk handling, der skænker held og lykke til skibet og besætningen, og sikrer, at skibet kommer sikkert frem. Sømandsmissionær Finn Løvlund lyste en kort velsignelse. Og derefter bad han en kort bøn, inden Frida Mortensen fik ordet og døbte skibet ”Frida” ved at knuse en champagneflaske mod skroget. Hun er datter af Thomas Mortensen, Head of Shipping, Offshore Wind at Siemens Wind Power A/S, som har været dybt involveret i processen fra ide til færdigt skib. Skibet er chartret af Siemens Gamesa.
Finn Løvlund:
Velsignelse af skib og mandskab
“This is certainly one of those days that I cannot help but talk about for a longe time. Yesterday, for example, I visited a sister ship to FRIDA and told the crew about both the christening and the reflection I shared with the crew. It was one of the truly rewarding experiences in my work as a missionary to seafarers. I could both see and sense that they were listening, and most of them even joined in the Lord’s Prayer. When we are asked to contribute, we are always ready – without hesitation. I simply could not say no.” •
Sømandsmissionær Finn Løvlund holdt inden fejringen en andagt for skibets 26 mand store besætning. Til andagten bad han om Guds beskyttelse for skibets besætning og skibets videre færd. Og han takkede Gud for hver enkelt ombord og bad om, at de måtte få styrke og glæde, og blive skærmet fra uheld.
Blessing of Ship and Crew
WAVES 3 • 2026
Finn Løvlund: ”Det er klart en af de dage, som jeg ikke kan lade være med at fortælle om. I går var jeg fx ombord på et søsterskib til FRIDA og fortalte om både dåb og om at holde andagt for besætningen. Det var en af de rigtig gode oplevelser og opgaver som sømandsmissionær. Jeg kunne både se og mærke, at de lyttede. Og de bad med på fadervor på eget initiativ. Når der bliver spurgt efter vores medvirken, er vi der. Klart. Jeg kunne ikke lade være!” • 3
By Hanne Baltzer Af Hanne Baltzer
Henri likes Frida
Henri Senft is a proud second officer on the heavy-lift vessel FRIDA from the German shipping company SAL. The state-of-the-art new vessel has called at the Port of Esbjerg carrying large offshore wind turbine tower sections from China before continuing to Portugal and the USA. The ship is chartered by Siemens Gamesa. The crew consists of 26 people – Germans, Filipinos, Ukraine, Croatia, Bulgaria were the nationalities when Frida arrived in Esbjerg. The enthusiasm is clear when Henri talks about the 150 meter-long ship and its many electronic aids, ranging from the latest AI technology to high-tech radars and chart systems. Frida is also equipped with
two large fully electric cranes, each capable of handling up to 800 tons. “It’s quite an amazing and exciting feeling to have so many support systems at our disposal. Being on board a modern vessel with lots of technology helps create the right overview during demanding procedures such as navigation, loading and unloading. It also helps us detect all kinds of objects and small vessels, even at night, where we are particularly dependent on the sensitive radars. The radars on board do have automatic filter features in order to optimize the radar picture even during bad weather encounters. High waves and rain lead to a cluttered radar screen with numerous echos; the automatic
filters continuously adjust the received echos faster and more efficient than doing it manually,” Henri explains.
Making the right decision German-born Henri does not come from a maritime background, but he has always been curious about the profession and about sailing in general. At one point, he decided to try it out and experience different types of vessels. He also wanted to challenge himself, which is why he pursued an education and slowly started to gain sea time. He started in 2017, completed his nautical studies in 2021, and a month later he was at sea.
Henri kan lide Frida
Henri Senft er en stolt andenstyrmand på heavy-lift-skibet FRIDA fra det tyske rederi SAL. Det topmoderne nye skib har anløbet Esbjerg Havn med store offshore-vindmøllesektioner fra Kina, inden rejsen fortsætter til Portugal og USA. Skibet er chartret af Siemens Gamesa. Skibets internationale besætning består af 26 medlemmer, og tyskere, filippinere, ukrainere, kroater og bulgarere var alle repræsenteret, da Frida ankom til Esbjerg. Begejstringen er tydelig, når Henri fortæller om det 150 meter lange skib og dets mange elektroniske hjælpemidler, som spænder fra 4
den nyeste AI-teknologi til højteknologiske radar- og navigationssystemer. Frida er også udstyret med to store, fuldt elektriske kraner, som hver kan løfte op til 800 tons. ”Det er en ret fantastisk og spændende følelse at have så mange støttesystemer til rådighed. At være ombord på et moderne skib med masser af teknologi hjælper os med at bevare overblikket under krævende opgaver som navigation, lastning og losning. Det hjælper os også med at opdage alle former for objekter og mindre fartøjer – især om natten, hvor vi er særligt afhængige af de følsomme radarer. Radarerne ombord har auto-
matiske filterfunktioner som optimerer radarbilledet selv under dårligt vejr. Høje bølger og regn kan skabe et uklart billede med mange forstyrrelser og ekkoer, men de automatiske filtre justerer løbende de modtagne ekkoer hurtigere og mere effektivt, end hvis det blev gjort manuelt,” forklarer Henri.
At træffe de rigtige beslutninger Henri, som er født og opvokset i Tyskland, kommer ikke fra en maritim familie, men han har altid været nysgerrig på søfartserhvervet og på livet til søs generelt. På et tidspunkt besluttede han sig for at prøve det WAVES 3 • 2026
His dream and ambition are to one day be appointed captain. “I’d like to continue working for this shipping company. It’s a good workplace. I`ve tried various vessel types during my nautical studies, for example passenger ships, but I prefer cargo ships, and FRIDA is a very special vessel. I like the diversity of tasks on board. It requires
you to perform many different tasks correctly and have a solid understanding of legislation, regulations, and safety. Sometimes, it’s also learning by doing,” he smiles. Among other things, Henri is responsible for port administration, hospital management and voyage planning, and here his navigation knowledge is crucial.
A Special Day On this particular day, when the interview takes place, Frida is about to be christened. For the occasion, missionary to seafarers Finn Løvlund has come on board to read a passage from the Bible and share a reflection with the Crew. Henri also participated: “It was a nice experience. I joined in as he said the Lord’s Prayer. Praying together gave a special sense of unity that I don’t think we’ve experienced in quite the same way before. I am Catholic, but not in a very active way. It’s a fine tradition for the crew to be blessed when setting out on a new ship, and for the ship itself to be blessed, so we are ready to sail. It felt good and right.” • Henri tells about AI-technology and high-tech systems. Henri er optaget af bl.a. AI-teknologi.
af og få erfaring ombord på forskellige typer skibe. Han ønskede også at udfordre sig selv, og derfor tog han en maritim uddannelse og begyndte gradvist at optjene sejltid. Han startede i 2017, afsluttede sin uddannelse i 2021, og allerede en måned senere var han til søs. Hans drøm og ambition er en dag at blive udnævnt til kaptajn. ”Jeg vil gerne fortsætte med at arbejde for dette rederi. Det er en god arbejdsplads. Under min uddannelse prøvede jeg forskellige skibstyper, blandt andet passagerskibe, men jeg foretrækker helt klart fragtskibe, og FRIDA er et helt særligt fartøj. Jeg kan godt WAVES 3 • 2026
lide jobbet ombord. Arbejdet kræver, at man løser mange forskellige opgaver korrekt og har et solidt kendskab til lovgivning, regler og sikkerhed. Andre gange lærer man primært gennem praktisk erfaring,” siger han med et smil. Henri har blandt andet ansvar for havneadministration, sygeafdeling og rejseplanlægning, hvor hans navigationsfaglige viden er afgørende.
En særlig dag Netop i dag skal Frida døbes. Til lejligheden er sømandsmissionær Finn Løvlund kommet
ombord for at læse et afsnit fra Bibelen og dele en kort refleksion med besætningen. Henri deltog også: ”Det var en god oplevelse. Jeg bad med, da han bad Fadervor. Det at bede sammen gav en særlig følelse af fællesskab, som jeg ikke tror, vi har oplevet på helt samme måde før. Jeg er katolik, men ikke på en særlig aktiv måde. Det er en god tradition at besætningen bliver velsignet, når man tager et nyt skib i brug, og at selve skibet også bliver velsignet, så vi er klar til at sejle. Det føltes godt og rigtigt.” •
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Saxet fra facebook July, 2026
Seamen’s Homes! Seafarers receive gratitude and recognition In 2026, the annual Day of the Seafarer campaign is titled “Carrying world trade. Carrying the Risks”. The campaign focuses on the realities of life at sea and highlights the hardships, pressure, and risks that seafarers often face – particularly the challenges of operating in high-risk and conflict-affected areas – while also recognizing the vital role all seafarers play in keeping the global economy moving. In both Danish and Greenlandic ports we used the occasion to visit ships, bringing cake, chocolate, and copies of Waves to show appreciation and gratitude for their dedication and service. Every day. All year round.
In some port cities, you will find a Seamen’s Home. Historically, it has been a “home” for seafarers while in foreign ports; a place where they can relax, both physically and spiritually. Today, many Seamen’s Homes have evolved more in the direction of hotels, but they are still open to seafarers, and we regularly receive visits from the people who run them when we are in port. That was also the case here in Ilulissat where Chris (the Philippines) and Helle (Denmark) from SØMA stopped by. They even brought some treats for the crew. Naturally, we returned the favor by giving them a special guided tour of the ship. Thank you for your kindness and for thinking of the seafarers.
The Royal Danish Navy JOINT ARCTIC COMMAND
Saxet fra facebook Juli 2026
Sømandshjem! Søfolk bliver takket og anerkendt I 2026 fokuserer Day of the Seafarer-kampagnen "At bære verdenshandel. At bære risikoen.” på livets realiteter til søs. Den fremhæver de vanskeligheder, pres og risici, som søfolk kan stå overfor - især udfordringerne ved at operere i højrisiko- og konfliktramte områder samtidig med, at søfarende spiller en væsentlig rolle i at holde verdensøkonomien i gang. Både på danske og grønlandske havne gik Sømandsmissionens medarbejdere ombord på Seafares Day med kage, chokolade og magasinet Waves for at påskønne søfolk og takke dem for deres indsats. Hver dag. Året rundt. 6
I nogle havnebyer ligger der et sømandshjem. Historisk er det et “hjem” for søens folk. når de er i fremmede havne. Et sted, hvor de praktisk og åndeligt kan slappe af. I dag er de udviklet mere i retning af et hotel, men de er stadig åbne for søens folk, og vi får jævnligt besøg af dem, der driver sømandshjemmene, når vi er i havn. Det gælder også her i Ilulissat, hvor Chris (Filippinerne) og Helle (Danmark) fra SØMA lagde vejen forbi. De havde lidt godter med til besætningen. Vi kvitterede naturligvis med en specialrundvisning i skibet. Tak for jeres opmærksomhed og tanke for søfolkene.
Søværnet ARKTISK KOMMANDO WAVES 3 • 2026
The Pilot Is in an iPad By Hanne Baltzer
- Remote guiding combines traditional pilot expertise with data to bring ships safely through Danish waters
On an early morning in May 2025, the container ship Vilnia Maersk became the first ship ever to be connected to a new remote pilotage system and guided through the Kattegat with the assistance of a pilot operating from a shore-based control center. It was the first pilotage operation conducted solely on live data from the vessel itself, without the use of, for example, radar data from on-shore stations. “It was a remarkable day for us! Naturally, I was excited and a little nervous, because this was the moment when we truly put our idea to the test. We had carried out a long series of trials beforehand with a pilot still on board, but now we had to find out whether remote pilotage could work using only access to the ship’s own data. Everything went exactly according to plan. My colleague and I were incredibly proud. In fact, we were absolutely euphoric when the first remote pilotage operation was successfully completed. It was the ultimate validation of six years of testing and development!” These are the words of Brian Schmidt Nielsen, Project Manager at Danpilot. DanPilot hopes to see remote pilotage approved as a recognized operational concept in Denmark. The company is currently awaiting approval from the Danish Emergency Management Agency. The approval cannot come soon enough, as remote pilotage has the potential to become an important supplement to traditional pilotage. The objective is to create a safer working environment for pilots and reduce ships’ fuel consumption without compromising navigational safety. Pilotage is one of the most dangerous operations in shipping because pilots must transfer from the pilot boat to the vessel requiring asWAVES 3 • 2026
The long tradition of pilotage is moving quickly into the digital age. According to Brian Schmidt Nielsen it is only natural to make use of available, thoroughly tested technology for remote pilotage.
sistance-regardless of high waves or difficult weather conditions. Pilots also spend a significant amount of time traveling between pilot stations to reach their next assignment. Remote pilotage eliminates that need. Initially, remote pilotage was approved for an 18-month trial period, during which at least 50 planned remote pilotage operations were to be carried out. The tests were conducted in cooperation with vessels from Maersk, Oldendorff, and ELS Shipping. In fact, 83 pilotage operations were completed in just five months, making the trial peri-
od significantly shorter than expected. The remote pilotage program was carried out in the Kattegat and the western Baltic Sea.
Communication Is Crucial In practice, shore-based pilotage is conducted from DanPilot’s station in the Port of Randers. From there, the pilot connects to the vessel’s systems via a digital unit linked to the ship’s Voyage Data Recorder. This provides the pilot with a digital copy of the vessel’s operational data on their own screens. In addition, there is a live video connection between 7
the pilot and the bridge team, enabling direct communication, while a chat function supports brief exchanges. The communication platform was developed by DanPilot, while the onboard unit and data transmission system were developed by Danelec. “Remote pilotage requires good English skills, a willingness to communicate in detail, and a cooperative mindset. The pilots involved all have at least five years of experience. In a sense, it feels like we are doing what we’ve always done, but at the same time it’s a completely new and different approach. Having to understand a complex situation from a distance, because the pilot is now essentially sitting inside an iPad, requires extensive communication, both verbal and non-verbal. Credibility and trust are essential factors,” he explains.
Safety and Collaboration Communication is the central element of remote pilotage, which is why a support system with key questions has been integrated into the digital interface. Every message is communicated both verbally and in written form on screen and must be electronically confirmed or rejected by the crew. So called message makers covering eight operational areas help ensure that instructions are clearly understood by the crew. Both questions and responses are handled in this way by both parties, helping everyone remain focused on the task at hand. At the same time, body language can be observed via the video connection, revealing everything from uncertainty or stress to laughter and concentration. “When the pilot is not physically on board, he or she is entirely dependent on the reports coming from the ship. As pilots, we have to explain our assessments much more thoroughly and clarify why we ask specific questions. The crew also has to communicate in far greater detail because they now function as the pilot’s eyes and ears.” What happens if the connection fails? Brian Schmidt Nielsen has been asked that question countless times. Multiple layers of backups, cybersecurity measures, and redundant systems have been incorporated into the 8
solution. “Naturally, that was a common concern for many shipping companies, but we operate on the correct side of the firewalls. There is no risk that the connection could be used to send false data to the ship’s systems or take control of any onboard system. Data can only be received,” he says.
Comfortable with Technology
actly what to look for. Pilots possess that experience, local knowledge, and expertise. They are familiar with most hazards in their area. The Great Belt, for example, is a relatively narrow and shallow traffic corridor with many different types of vessels, lighthouses, buoys, bridges, and ferries crossing in various directions,” explains Brian Schmidt Nielsen, who has When the pilot is worked as a pi-
A study conducted by the University of Southern Dennot physically on board, mark also indihe or she is entirely cates that remote pilotage is a stadependent on the reports ble solution. Recoming from the ship. searchers followed operations on the ships and within DanPilot’s control centers to examine how collaboration works when the pilot is not physically present on board. The results show that both pilots and crews are able to acquire the necessary knowledge based on the available data. Remote pilotage is not about replicating onboard pilotage one-to-one; rather, it concerns how cooperation, responsibility, and decision-making can be organized in practice when the pilot is located elsewhere. The young generations of seafarers are highly accustomed to information technology and are comfortable with digital lot since 2002. “I simply cannot imagine our and online environments. project not being approved. There is clear evidence that the users generally regard it Seamanship Is Knowledge as a good solution. I think it is a remarkable When ships go through international waters, project! It is important to emphasize that pisuch as the transit routes through Danish lots must both work from shore and continwaters, taking a pilot on board is voluntary. ue boarding ships in the future. Personally, I However, approximately 80 percent of tank- would miss being on board. A combination er vessels choose to employ a pilot as an of remote pilotage and physical presence is additional safety measure because they necessary to stay fully up to date.” lack detailed knowledge of Danish waters: The project manager signs off and heads “It’s a bit like trying to navigate through Par- for Skagen in northern Denmark, where he is during rush hour. You may have a GPS, will pilot two large tanker vessels before rebut there is still a great deal to keep track turning home. With remote pilotage as part of, even if you are highly skilled and well of the near future, he may no longer need trained. Sea routes are much less regulated to waste unnecessary travel time, neither on and more ambiguous unless you know exland or at sea. • WAVES 3 • 2026
Lodsen sidder i en iPad Af Hanne Baltzer
- Rå lodserfaring og data fjernguider skibene sikkert gennem dansk farvand
Fjernlodsning kræver et godt engelsk, en villighed til en detaljeret kommunikation og til at samarbejde.
WAVES 3 • 2026
En tidlig maj morgen i 2025 blev containerskibet ”Vilnia Maersk” som det første skib nogen sinde koblet på et nyt fjernlodsningssystem og gelejdet gennem Kattegat med hjælp fra en lods, der assisterede fra et kontrolcenter på land. Det var den første lodsning udført alene på live data fra skibet uden f.eks. radardata fra landstationer. ”Det var en fantastisk dag! Jeg var spændt og en lille smule nervøs, for nu lagde vi for alvor hånden på kogepladen, selvom vi havde lavet en række tests inden, dog med lods ombord, men nu skulle det testes, om det virkede alene at fjernlodse ved at få adgang til skibets data. Det hele gik helt planmæssigt! Både kollegaen og jeg var megastolte. Vi var da helt euforiske, da den første fjernlodsning var vel udført. En blåstempling af seks års udviklingsarbejde!” Ordene kommer fra Brian Schmidt Nielsen, projektchef i Danpilot. Danpilot så gerne, at fjernlodsning blev godkendt som koncept i Danmark. Lige nu afventer man stadig en godkendelse fra Beredskabsstyrelsen. Den må gerne komme snart, så fjernlodsning kan blive et vigtigt supplement til den traditionelle lodsning. Målet er at skabe et sikrere arbejdsmiljø for lodser og mindske skibenes brændstofforbrug uden at svække sejladssikkerheden. Lodsning er en af de farligste operationer i skibsfarten, fordi lodsen skal fra lodsbåden og over på skibet, som skal lodses – uanset høje bølger og dårligt vejr. Lodserne bruger en del af deres arbejdstid på rejse mellem lodsstationerne for at komme frem til næste job. Det behøver man ikke, når man fjernlodser.
Fjernlodsning var i første omgang tilladt i en testperiode på 18 måneder, hvor der skulle gennemføres minimum 50 planlagte fjernlodsninger. De foregik i samarbejde med skibe fra Maersk, Oldendorff og ELS Shipping. Hele 83 lodsninger blev gennemført på fem måneder, så testperioden blev væsentligt kortere end forventet. Fjernpilotprogrammet fandt sted i Kattegat og det vestlige Østersø.
Kommunikation er afgørende I praksis foregår den landbaserede lodsning fra Danpilots station i Randers Havn. Herfra kobler piloten sig på skibets system via en digital boks knyttet til skibets VDR-enhed (Voyage Data Recorder). På den måde får lodsen en digital kopi af skibets data sendt til sine egne skærme. Desuden er der en åben videoopkobling mellem lods og bro, så de kan tale sammen, ligesom en chatfunktion sikrer en kortere kommunikation. Kommunikationsplatformen er skabt af DanPilot. Boksen til skibet og datatransmissionen er skabt af Danelec. ”Fjernlodsning kræver et godt engelsk, en villighed til en detaljeret kommunikation og til at samarbejde. Lodserne, der medvirker, har alle mindst fem års erfaring som lods. På en måde er det "same same", men så alligevel anderledes! At forstå på afstand - fordi lodsen nu sidder i en iPad - kræver en del af kommunikationen. Både verbal og nonverbal. Troværdighed og tillid er vigtige parametre,” tilføjer han.
Sikkerhed og samarbejde Kommunikationen er det mest centrale i fjernlodsning, hvorfor der også er sat et 9
Snart er den ældgamle lodstradition for alvor på vej ind i den digitale tidsalder. Brian Schmidt Nielsen synes, det er oplagt at anvende tilgængelig, testet teknologi til fjernlodsning.
hjælpesystem med keyspørgsmål op på skærmen. Når der kommunikeres, siges beskeden både højt og skrives i kort form på skærmen, som skal bekræftes eller afvises elektronisk af besætningen. Særlige messages makers inden for ofte anvendte otte områder bruges for at sikre, at budskabet er forstået. Både spørgsmål og svar kommunikeres på den både fra begge sider. Det fastholder fokus i aktionen. Samtidig kan man se kropssproget hos alle på skærmen! En usikkerhed, et grin, koncentrationen undervejs. ”Når lodsen ikke er ombord, er han helt afhængig af de meldinger, der kommer fra skibet. Som lods skal man være mere forklarende om, hvorfor vi bedømmer, som vi gør. Hvorfor vi spørger uddybende. Og mandskabet på skibet skal også kommunikere langt mere detaljeret, fordi de både er lodsens øjne og ører.” Hvad nu hvis forbindelsen ryger? Det spørgsmål har Brian Schmidt Nielsen fået et utal af gange. Det har de taget højde for med flere versioner af backups, cyber-sikkerhed og redundante systemer: ”Det var da også en bekymring fra rederiernes IT-afdelinger, men vi befinder os på den rigtige side af firewalls. Der er ingen risiko for, at forbindelsen kan bruges til at sende fejlagtige data til skibets systemer eller overtage kontrollen med nogen af skibets systemer. Der kan kun modtages data,” siger han. 10
IT-vante Et studie fra Syddansk Universitet peger også på, at fjernlodsning er brugbart. Forskerne har fulgt arbejdet både ombord på skibe og i Danpilots kontrolcentre for at undersøge, hvordan samarbejdet fungerer, når lodsen ikke er fysisk ombord. Resultaterne underbygger at både lodser og besætninger er i stand til at tilegne sig den nødvendige viden ud fra kendte data. Fjernlodsning handler ikke om at kopiere det, man gør
Jeg har ikke fantasi til at forestille mig, at vores projekt ikke bliver godkendt. Der er en evidens for, at brugerne, rederierne – de fleste synes, det er godt. ombord en til en, men om hvordan samarbejde, ansvar og beslutninger organiseres i praksis, når lodsen ikke er fysisk til stede. De nye generationer af søfarende er it-vante og arbejder hjemmevant i online-miljøer.
Håndværk er viden Når skibe sejler i internationalt farvand, så som gennemsejlingsruterne gennem dansk
farvand, er det frivilligt, om man vil have lods ombord. Ca. 80 procent af tankskibene vælger det til som et ekstra sikkerhedslag, fordi de ikke har detail kendskab til farvandene omkring Danmark: ”Det svarer lidt til at skulle finde rundt i Paris i myldretiden. Godt nok har man en GPS, men der er meget at holde øje med undervejs, selvom man er dygtig og veluddannet. Søvejen er for ureguleret og diffus, medmindre man ved, hvad man skal kigge efter. Den erfaring, paratviden og kompetence har lodserne. De kender til de fleste forhindringer. Storebælt er fx trafikalt et snævert og ikke særligt dybt sted med mange typer af fartøjer, fyr, bøjer, broer og færger der sejler på kryds og tværs,” forklarer Brian Schmidt Nielsen, der har arbejdet som lods siden 2002. ”Jeg har ikke fantasi til at forestille mig, at vores projekt ikke bliver godkendt. Der er en evidens for, at brugerne, rederierne – de fleste synes, det er godt. Jeg synes, det er et magisk projekt! Det er vigtigt at understrege, at lodser både skal sidde på land og gå ombord. Jeg ville selv mangle at komme ombord på skibene. Så kombinationen af fjernlodsning og fysisk tilstedeværelse er nødvendig for hele tiden at være up to date.” Projektchefen takker af. Han skal videre til Skagen og agere lods for to store tankskibe, inden han skal hjem til Fanø. Med fjernlodsning på sigt behøver han ikke bruge unødig tid – hverken på land eller til søs. • WAVES 3 • 2026
and gracious host
By Hanne Baltzer
Experienced Seaman Recently, two employees from the Danish Mission to Seafarers visited a ship owned and operated by the Danish offshore company Foniks. The conversation covered a wide range of topics: technology, machinery, work-life, and much more. The employees are highly experienced and dedicated to fulfilling the tasks assigned by their customers, and that also applies to 78-year-old Bjarne from Lemvig, who has been part of the company for 20 years. Bjarne works a rotation of 20 days on board followed by 12 days off. His job is to transport service technicians to offshore wind turbines and then either wait on site or sail back to collect spare parts. Otherwise, the vessel returns to port at the end of the workday, and the routine starts all over again the next morning. “If you don’t enjoy the steady routine, you’ll be gone after 14 days. I have my phone, my iPad, and otherwise there’s always cleaning to do,” says the experienced
seafarer, who plans to retire at the end of the year. The vessel is a steel ship built in 1963. It will be replaced this autumn by a new and more modern aluminum vessel. Bjarne has spent much of his life at sea. At the age of 14, he started working on fishing boats, often spending three months at a time away from home. They landed the majority of their catch in Grimsby: “Whenever we came into port, the skipper would send me to the local Seamen’s Home, which was run by the Danish Mission to Seafarers. Here, I would go into town with the manager to help him buy food and other supplies.” Missionary to seafarers Niels Rasmussen had previously visited the ship, bringing copies of the magazine Waves along with a few Easter eggs, which he left as a gift for the crew at the mooring point. This is why Bjarne welcomed him with the words:
“Thank you for the gift you left for us. I have great respect for your work.” The conversation continued for quite some time afterward. An experienced seafarer is certainly worth listening to. •
Af Hanne Baltzer
Erfaren sømand er god at gæste For nylig var to af Sømandsmissionens medarbejdere ombord på et skib fra Føniks Miljø. Der blev snakket om mangt og meget, teknik, maskiner, arbejde og så videre. Medarbejderne har været med længe, og de har masser af erfaring og fokus på den opgave, kunden har udstukket. Det gælder også 78-årige Bjarne fra Lemvig, som har været ansat i 20 år. Han er ombord 20 dage, så 12 dage fri og sådan kører rullet. Jobbet består i at sejle serviceteknikere ud til vindmøller, og så ellers ligge og vente eller sejle ind efter reservedele. Men ellers i WAVES 3 • 2026
havn ved fyraftenstid og så næste morgen forfra igen. ”Hvis ikke man trives med den måde at arbejde på, er man væk efter 14 dage. Jeg har min telefon, min Ipad og ellers kan man gøre rent,” fortæller den erfarne sømand, der går på pension i slutningen af 2026. Skibet er et stålskib fra 1963, som til efteråret bliver udskiftet med et nyt skib i aluminium. Bjarne har tilbragt en del af sit liv til søs. Som 14-årig kom han ud at fiske, og var afsted tre måneder ad gangen. De landede de-
res fisk i Grimsby: ”Når vi kom i havn, sendte skipper mig op på Sømandshjemmet, der var ejet af Sømandsmissionen i Danmark. Da var jeg der og tog med bestyrer Rise ud og handle ind til mad med mere.” Sømandsmissionær Niels Rasmussen har før været ombord på det lille serviceskib med bladet Waves og påskeæg, som han lagde ved fortøjningspunktet. Derfor bød Bjarne også velkommen med et ”Tak for påskeæggene. Jeg har stor respekt for jeres arbejde”. Bagefter fortsatte snakken et stykke tid. Jo erfaren sømand er værd at lytte til. • 11
By General Secretary Nicolaj Wibe
Forgiveness sets us free A major accident has recently occurred in a Danish port with material damages estimated at around one billion Danish kroner. A few months ago, another accident took place in a port in the United States, where the material costs reached astronomical levels. Accidents occur regularly in the maritime industry. Some are caused by technical failures, while others result from human error. Human error means that someone forgot something important, overlooked a warning signal, or simply acted carelessly. And the consequences can be fatal. Any seafarer who is responsible for a serious accident is likely to be left with a deep sense of guilt. Imagine how you would feel if you were the cause of someone’s injury or death, or responsible for a bill of more than one billion kroner for your shipping company. Would you lose your job? Probably. But more serious still is the guilt that remains— the guilt of having caused the misfortune of others.
forgiveness is the only way out of the darkness of guilt. And what brings light into that darkness is the experience of being forgiven. It is one of the most life-affirming experiences there is. Forgiveness sets us free. As you probably know, the cross is the most widespread symbol of the Christian Church. Crosses can be found all over the world. Many people wear them as jewelry, and they hang on the wall in countless homes. If you enter a church, the cross will often occupy the most prominent place in the room. But why? We do not have to read far into the New Testament before discovering the significance of the cross. In Colossians 2, we read: He canceled the record of debt that stood against us with its legal demands. He took it away, nailing it to the cross.
Free yourself from the guilt. Confess it to Jesus.
Asking for forgiveness We cannot go through life without experiencing guilt. It can hang over our daily lives like a long, dark shadow. In fact, guilt can grow and become so overwhelming that it feels almost unbearable. It is important to be able to say “I’m sorry” to those we have wronged or hurt. Apologizing and asking for 12
The pronoun “He” refers to Jesus, and “the record of debt” represents all the things for which we are guilty. That record is fastened to the cross-not with thumbtacks, but with the iron nails that were driven
through Jesus’ hands and feet. Those of us who are burdened by guilt can now breathe a sigh of relief when we hear these words from God. Whatever you may be guilty of, your guilt can be nailed to the cross and be fully forgiven.
Lift your head and breathe free What guilt are you carrying around? What have you done that calls for confession? Confess it to Jesus and let that guilt be nailed to the cross. Free yourself from its burden. Let it go. Entrust it to the one who can erase it so completely that the wrong you have done becomes as though it had never happened. The cross is not just a symbol, it is a historical event. Jesus actually died on the cross with one all-consuming purpose in mind; to bear the consequences of our guilt. One might think that it is easy for God to forgive our sins; that the Christian message of freedom and redemption comes without a price. But if you were to ask Jesus, he would remind you of the fact that the gospel cost him his life. He would remind us what it means to sacrifice everything. Yet, for us, it is entirely free. He paid the full price once and for all, and now our guilt is gone. Taking this reality into our hearts is the most life-giving experience a human being can ever have. • WAVES 3 • 2026
Slip fri af din skyld. Bekend den overfor Jesus.
Af generalsekretær Nicolaj Wibe
Tilgivelse er frigørende Der har netop været en omfattende ulykke i en dansk havn, hvor de materielle omkostninger vil beløbe sig til omkring en milliard kroner. For nogle måneder siden var der en anden ulykke i en havn i USA, hvor de materielle omkostninger blev astronomiske. Der sker jævnligt ulykker i det maritime erhverv. Nogle af dem af tekniske årsager, andre skyldes menneskelige fejl. En menneskelig fejl betyder, at en person glemte noget vigtigt. Man overså et signal, eller man var tankeløs. Og det fik fatale konsekvenser. Den ombord på et skib, der er årsag til fatale ulykker, bliver ramt af tung skyld. Forestil dig, hvordan du ville have det, hvis du var årsag til en andens lemlæstelse eller død. Eller var årsag til en regning på en milliard kroner til dit rederi. Mon ikke man mister sit job? Måske. Men hvad værre er: man sidder tilbage med stor skyld. Skyld over at være årsag til andres ulykke.
At sige undskyld Vi kommer ikke igennem vores liv uden skyld. Og skylden kan ligge som en skygge over vores hverdag. Man kan nærmest være WAVES 3 • 2026
plaget til døde af skyld. Det er vigtigt at kunne sige undskyld til den eller dem, man har forurettet eller gjort ondt. At sige undskyld, at bede om tilgivelse er en vej ud af skyldens mørke. Og det, der så bringer lys ind i skyldens mørke, det er at blive tilgivet. Det er noget af det mest livsbekræftende, der findes. Tilgivelse er frigørende. Som du nok ved, er korset det mest udbredte symbol for den kristne kirke. Korset er at se overalt på kloden. Mange bærer det som smykke, og det findes hængende på væggen i mange hjem. Går du ind i en kirke, har korset ofte den mest centrale plads i hele rummet. Vi skal ikke læse meget i Det nye Testamente, før vi hører om korsets betydning. Her fra Kolossenserbrevet kapitel 2: Han slettede vores gældsbevis med alle dets bestemmelser imod os; han fjernede det ved at nagle det til korset. Det er Jesus, der er ’han’, og gældsbeviset er alt det, vi har gjort os skyldige i. Gældsbeviset bliver hængt op på korset – ikke med tegnestifter – men nagler gennem Jesu hænder og fødder. Den, der er
tynget af skyld, kan i disse ord fra Gud ånde lettet op. Hvad du end har gjort dig skyldig i, så kan du få din skyld hængt op på korset.
Ånd lettet op Hvad bærer du på af skyld? Hvad har du haft gang i, som kalder på bekendelse? Bekend det overfor Jesus og få den skyld hængt op på korset. Slip fri af din skyld. Giv slip på den. Overlad den til ham, som kan udslette den så meget, at det forkerte, du har gjort, bliver som ugjort. Korset er ikke bare et symbol. Jesus hang fysisk på det, og det netop for at kunne tage konsekvensen af vores skyld. Man kan tænke om Guds tilgivelse af vores skyld, at det er en let sag for ham. Man kan tænke, at evangeliet jo bare er en gratis omgang. Men spørger man Jesus om det, vil han pege på, at evangeliet kostede ham livet. Han vil gøre opmærksom på, hvad det betyder at måtte ofre alt. Men for os er det en gratis omgang. Han betalte alt på et bræt, og så findes den skyld ikke mere. Dette er det mest livgivende, vi mennesker kan opleve. •
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Peter Kalstrup (in the middle) in conversation with Helle Thyde and a man from Ilulissat./ Peter Kalstrup (I midten) I samtale med volontør Helle Thyde og en mand fra Ilulissat.
New to the job – an experienced hand in Greenland By Hanne Baltzer
Meet Him in Disko Bay Peter Kalstrup is the new Danish missionary to seafarers in Aasiaat. Here, he will work to strengthen the organization’s maritime outreach throughout the Disko Bay region. Most likely, he will be in Ilulissat for one week each month. Peter has experience working with people, as well as a deep understanding of life in Greenland. He is trained as a social educator
and has spent his entire career working in social and relational services. During the past four years, Peter has worked in Greenland, both in psychiatry in Nuuk and as a teacher in Tasiilaq. “From day one, I have felt very much at home in Greenland because you never feel confined here. The vast open spaces have a special effect on you! The hospitality is remarkable as well, and I ap-
Ny i job – erfaren mand i Grønland Af Hanne Baltzer
Mød ham i Diskobugten Peter Kalstrup er ny sømandsmissionær med base i Aasiaat, hvorfra han skal styrke Sømandsmissionens maritime arbejde i hele Diskobugten. Han vil nok være at træffe i Ilulissat en uge om måneden. Peter kommer med stor erfaring i arbejdet med mennesker og med et indgående kendskab til livet i Grønland. Han er uddannet socialpædagog og har arbejdet inden for det sociale og relationelle område hele sit arbejdsliv. De seneste fire år har Peter arbejdet i Grønland. Både i psykiatrien i Nuuk og som lærer i Tasiilaq. ”Fra dag 1 har jeg følt mig godt hjemme i Grønland, fordi man her ikke føler sig lukket inde. De store vidder gør noget! Gæstfriheden 14
er også stor, og så kan jeg godt lide, at man tager tingene, som de kommer,” siger Peter. Han synes, han bruger hele paletten af faglig viden og den erfaring, han har med: ”Jeg har lært rigtig meget af mine grønlandske kolleger. Jeg kan forstå noget grønlandsk, men det tavse sprog – lærer man også meget af."
Lægger ører til meget Det er kun få skibsbesøg, Peter har nået, da dette interview bliver lavet: ”I dag har jeg været på mit fjerde skibsbesøg, så jeg er i den grad ny i jobbet. Jeg synes, der er spændende og oplever, at jeg er WAVES 3 • 2026
preciate the way people take things as they come,” says Peter. He feels that he draws on the full range of his professional knowledge and experience: “I have learned a great deal from my Greenlandic colleagues. I understand some Greenlandic, but you also learn a lot from the non-verbal language."
Someone who to talk to At this point, Peter has only been around long enough to visit a few ships: “Today I made my fourth visit, so I am definitely new to the job. I find it exciting, and I feel welcome wherever I go. A couple of people needed someone to talk to, someone who would actually listen. That is exactly why we are here, so the work feels very meaningful. To me, being a missionary to seafarers is a lifestyle. I have always had an interest in the church and in diaconal work. The Gospel contains many words and ideals, but now I have the opportunity to put them into action. I also hand out reading materials that are actually being read and used by the seafarers. I find that when I say I come from the local Seamen’s Home, people simply expect a certain level of trust and confidentiality. Most Greenlanders know the Seamen’s Homes, and people confide in us. Many have existential concerns on board; some face very serious personal challenges, and I have even heard people open up about suicidal thoughts. I am good at remembering people. This job offers a wonderful opportunity to build relationships because some of the ships operate on regular routes. I also have something in common with the seafarers, since I too am away from family and friends. I am grateful to have been employed by the Danish Mission to Seafarers as we share the same ethics and values. I feel that we can work together toward a meaningful purpose.” •
velkommen. Et par stykker havde brug for at læsse af. Det er derfor sømandsmissionæren er der, så arbejdet giver på den måde stor mening. For mig er sømandsmissionær-jobbet en livsstil. Jeg har altid haft interesse for kirke og diakoni. Evangeliet er meget ord, men nu skal jeg omsætte det til handling. Jeg har også ting med ombord, som bliver læst og brugt. Jeg oplever, at når jeg siger, jeg kommer fra sømandshjemmet, er der allerede en forventning om en vis fortrolighed. Grønlænderne kender sømandshjemmene. Man bliver betroet meget. Mange har eksistentielle tanker ombord, ja nogle er voldsomt udfordret, og jeg har hørt om selvmordstanker. Jeg er god til at huske mennesker. I mit arbejde er der en fin mulighed for at bygge relationer op, fordi nogle af skibene sejler i fast rutefart. Noget til fælles har jeg også med søfolkene, da jeg også er væk fra familie og venner. Jeg er glad for at være i Sømandsmissionen, hvor vi kan dele etik og værdier. At være fælles om et godt formål.” • WAVES 3 • 2026
Invitation Contact our Seamen's Missionaries We would like to meet you! The Danish Seamen's Mission talks to seafarers, fishers and others with a maritime connection. Always feel free to contact us! •
Kontakt sømandsmissionæren Vi vil gerne møde dig Sømandsmissionens medarbejdere taler med søfolk, fiskere og andre, der færdes på havnen. Kontakt os endelig. •
Finn Løvlund Phone +45 2073 3806 fl@somandsmissionen.dk Harbors/havne: Esbjerg, Aabenraa, Hvide Sande Jørgen Bech Knudsen Phone +45 2865 5277 jbk@somandsmissionen.dk Harbors/havne: Aarhus, Randers, Kolding, Vejle, Horsens, Grenaa, Fredericia Paul Høeg Phone +45 2296 3950 ph@somandsmissionen.dk Harbors/havne: Fyn Per Jerup Phone +45 6113 5383 pj@somandsmissionen.dk Harbors/havne: Aalborg, Limfjorden Niels Rasmussen Phone +45 5184 1942 nr@somandsmissionen.dk Habors/havne: Sjælland/ Sealand
Hanna Pedersen Relation worker/ Relationsmedarbejder for maritime studerende Phone: +45 2897 1460 hp@somandsmissionen.dk Sømandsmissionen i Kalundborg Danish Seamen's Mission in Kalundborg Editha og Jens Chr. Seeberg phone: +45 5950 1332 GREENLAND/GRØNLAND Henriette Killerich Mikkelsen Phone: +299 25 22 94 henriette@hotelsoma.gl Harbor/havn: Sisimiut Kamilla Hestbech, Phone. +299 21 85 89 18 Kamilla@somandsmisionen.dk Harbor/ havn: Nuuk Peter Kalstrup, Aasiaat Phone: +299 24 00 41 Pk@hotelsoma.gl Port: Disko Bay – Aasiaat and Ilulissat
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Strengthening the psychosocial work environment at sea A healthy work environment is the foundation of individual well-being, safety, and a strong maritime industry. For this reason, the Danish Maritime Authority is launching a new campaign focusing on welfare, respect, and work culture on board Danish ships. The campaign has been developed in collaboration with Danish Shipping and the maritime labor-organizations as part of the follow-up to a 2023 survey on bullying and harassment on Danish vessels. The campaign is one of several initiatives seeking to strengthen the psychosocial work environment at sea. Danish Shipping and the Danish Maritime Authority will distribute campaign materials and promotional items to all approximately 700 Danish ships operating around the world. •
Styrk det psykiske arbejdsmiljø til søs Et godt arbejdsmiljø er en forudsætning for både trivsel, sikkerhed og et stærkt maritimt erhverv. Derfor lancerer Søfartsstyrelsen en trivselskampagne, der sætter fokus på trivsel, respekt og omgangstone om bord på danske skibe. Den er udviklet i samarbejde med Danske Rederier og de maritime arbejdstagerorganisationer som led i opfølgningen på en undersøgelse fra 2023 af mobning og chikane på danske skibe. Kampagnen er ét af flere initiativer, der skal styrke det psykiske arbejdsmiljø til søs. Kampagnen omfatter blandt andet en film, et fælles manifest og en række kommunikationsmaterialer, som skal understøtte dialogen om psykisk arbejdsmiljø ude på skibene. Danske Rederier og Søfartsstyrelsen sender en pakke med kampagnemateriale og merchandise ud til alle de omkring 700 danske skibe verden over. •
Denmark is the world's ninth-largest maritime nation
Danmark er verdens niende største søfartsnation
A new report shows that Denmark is the world's ninth-largest maritime nation when measured by the amount of operated tonnage. During the same period, the number of vessels flying the Danish flag has increased from 740 to 744.
Ny opgørelse viser, at Danmark er verdens niende største søfartsnation, når man ser på mængden af opereret tonnage. I samme periode er antallet af skibe på dansk flag steget fra 740 til 744.