“On board, safety comes first”
Originally from Nigeria and living in Poland for over sixteen years, Ebisido Ebaretombofa is captain of the AHTS Bourbon Liberty 252. With humor, sincerity, and passion, he recounts his daily life at the helm of a multipurpose vessel dedicated to towing, anchor handling, and cargo operations. It is a demanding life, punctuated by discipline, team spirit, and constant vigilance in terms of safety.
Can you introduce yourself?
E.B.: Hello, my name is Ebisido Ebaretombofa. I am originally from Nigeria, but I have been living in Poland for sixteen years. I am the captain of the Bourbon Liberty 252, an AHTS (Anchor Handling Tug Supply) vessel specializing in towing, anchor handling, and supplying offshore structures. It is a very versatile vessel, suitable for many operations as long as we stay within its technical limits.
What does it mean to be a captain?
E.B.: It’s a huge responsibility. You’re in charge of everything: operations, communications with onshore teams, clients… You also have to manage the crew, often made up of seafarers from Europe, Africa, the Middle East… each with their own culture and way of working. And you have to make sure everything runs smoothly, that everyone works in harmony.
How do you manage safety on board?
E.B.: On board, everyone must follow the same rules: life jacket, helmet, gloves, goggles, safety shoes… And above all, you have to lead by example. If I see someone on deck poorly equipped, I call them directly on the radio: “Hey, what are you doing there? Go change, please!” We also use B Safe cards, which allow us to learn from incidents or near misses, so we can improve and progress. Safety is an absolute priority. As we always say: Safety first. Our goal is zero incidents, protecting the integrity of both the crew and the equipment. It’s as simple as that.
What does a typical day look like?
E.B.: It starts with a good coffee, then at 7 a.m. sharp, everyone meets on the bridge for the toolbox talk. That’s when we prepare the day’s operations. The chief engineer talks about the machinery, the second officer gives updates on deck work. By 8 a.m., the vessel is already in full swing. And me? I stay available at all times!
Has your job changed in recent years?
E.B.: Tremendously. Today, everything is digitalized. Before, we had binders, paper checklists… Now, thanks to the system implemented by Bourbon, everything is online: procedures, the Safety Management System, reports… It’s faster, more efficient, and it really makes our daily life easier.
Can you remind us of your career path?
E.B.: I studied navigation and marine engineering in Gdynia, Poland, between 2008 and 2011. I started on LNG carriers as a cadet officer, then climbed the ranks. Later, I sailed for a local company, then on drilling vessels. In 2013, I joined Bourbon for a few months, then moved to another company… until COVID, when BOURBON contacted me again. I said yes, because at BOURBON, I feel a bit like home.
How would you describe your relationship with the office and managers?
E.B.: At Bourbon, we have our “bible”: the Safety Management System. It covers all possible operations. But if I have any doubt, I call the operations manager or the technical superintendent. No one judges. You can ask questions, share ideas, always in a constructive spirit. I can tell the office: “We didn’t have coffee today,” “the internet isn’t working,” “I didn’t sleep well”… They understand. The relationship is truly human, it’s like a family.
Do you have a memorable anecdote?
E.B.: Yes, my first mission as captain, on the Bourbon Liberty 206. I was on a video call with the office when the authorities came on board. I was looking for all the papers, and the manager was telling me live: “Don’t forget to show them this too.” They were on the other side of the world, but helping me! They knew I was competent, but they supported me. It was great. And then there are lighter moments… When you work with colleagues who don’t speak English very well: “Do you want a hammer?” You have to mime the gesture! They come back with a hammer… not always the right one, but at least they try! We laugh about it. The key is to be patient and keep a good mood.
What does being a sailor mean to you?
E.B.: It was my dream. And it’s an extraordinary experience. You meet seafarers from all walks of life, different cultures… and different cuisines! BOURBON offers this limitless opportunity. I always dreamed of sailing, and thanks to BOURBON, that dream came true. Today, I’m a captain.
What advice would you give to young people who want to become seafarers?
E.B.: I’d tell them: you really have to want it. It’s not an easy job. It takes a lot of commitment, open-mindedness, and perseverance. But often, it’s when you’re about to give up… that you get promoted! (laughs) The beginnings can be tough, but with patience, everything eventually works out. And in the end, it’s a wonderful profession.
