The Nicos
J. Vardinoyannis
Seafarers'
Handbook
Dedication
Nicos Vardinoyannis was born in 1931 in a small town near the northern shore of the island of Crete. The sea had always been his big love and it was this love that marked, from the very beginning, the course of his life. He joined the Greek Navy in 1952 where he served for ten years, leaving with the rank of Lieutenant Commander.
He left the Navy but remained close to the sea. What he lacked in capital he made up in perspicacity and courage — he founded a bunker fuel business in 1962, having perceived a shortage of bunker fuel on the Mediterranean side of the Suez Canal. In 1962 he began leasing two old oil tankers from Aristotle Onassis, the Ariston and the Aristophanes.
Demand grew quickly and in 1966 he built the Kali Limenes and Siros (an island in the Aegean Sea) bunkering stations, under the name “SEKA S.A.” He expanded his business in 1967 to include oil shipping activities with a fleet of 20 tankers, all flying the Greek flag. On Nov. 11, 1972 Nicos Vardinoyannis inaugurated the Motor Oil Hellas Corinth Refinery. Unfortunately, he passed away only eight months after the opening of the refinery at the age of 42.
As well as a caring husband and father, Nicos Vardinoyannis was also a caring businessman and employer. He was personally involved in the purchase and management of all his tankers and cared deeply for the people he employed. He continually worked to improve the harsh conditions of life of his seafarers and managed the group like one big family. His love for the sea made him a pioneer in environmental protection issues.
Our father was an idealist. He believed in what he was pursuing and pursued what he believed in. He created a healthy and dynamic business which reflected his ideas, values, and vision. His name is well known in Greece and throughout the shipping world. For us, his memory was, is, and always will be a source of strength, inspiration and pride. We know he would love the book we are today dedicating to him with all our love and respect.
In this effort we had the valuable assistance of The Seamen’s Church Institute, without which the realization of this edition would be very difficult, if not impossible. Therefore we express our deep feelings of respect and our sincere thanks to The Seamen’s Church Institute and all the people who have worked hard on this edition.
Ioanna N.
Vardinoyannis - Fournier
Pyrros N. Vardinoyannis