Spring is the time for new beginnings in the public services, to judge by the succession of new faces which have appeared at local and regional government offices in Chania in the past week. On Thursday 6th March, as well as meeting the new head of Chania’s Traffic Police, the city’s mayor Panagiotis Simandirakis also received a courtesy visit from the new commanding officer of the Crete Naval Base at Souda, Commodore Dionisis Mantadakis.
Welcoming the Commodore in his office at the Chania city hall, the mayor referred to the current international events and the challenges which they hold for the area, while emphasising the ongoing good collaboration which exists between the Municipality and the Crete Naval Base, and with the Naval General Staff as a whole.
On his side the new Director assured the mayor that he would be supporting the work of the Municipality, acting for the benefit of its citizens. The meeting concluded with an exchange of memorial gifts.
(www.crete.gr)
The handover ceremony
The new Director had taken over from his predecessor, Rear Admiral Vasileios Tsoukas, at a ceremony on 11th February at the Memorial to the Unknown Sailor beside the Officers’ Mess at the Crete Naval Base, in the presence of the Commanding Officer of the Navy Logistic Support Centre, Vice Admiral (Eng) Panagiotis Dimitroglou.
It is barely a year since Vasileios Tsoukas took over the role in turn from his predecessor Nektarios Lyberakis, in a similar ceremony held on 13th March 2024, from which it would appear that the command is in the nature of a final posting for officers who are about to retire. As we reported on 14th March last year: “In his final address, the outgoing commander Rear Admiral Nektarios Lyberakis recalled the start of his naval career 39 years ago at Souda, which was also where he was ending it. It was, he said a journey ‘on stormy seas, but also in sheltered bays and harbours.'”
At the ceremony on 11th February, Vasileios Tsoukas gave a similar valedictory speech, an extract from which is as follows:
“Today marks the end of my career in the Navy, which began 40 years ago. It is a journey of 40 years which began in 1985 with my entry into the Naval Cadets’ School and is finishing at the Crete Naval Base at Souda, a journey which one can only experience in the Navy. Coming from the ranks of the Hellenic Navy, I leave full of emotion, of pride, with my head held high, with self respect and with a clear conscience. Welcoming as director my excellent colleague Commodore Dionisis Mantadakis, I wish him good luck, health and success in his new duties, and may St Nicholas [patron saint of the Hellenic Navy] protect him.”
In his response, the new Director said:
“Today I take on the duties of Director of the Crete Naval Base from Rear Admiral Vasileios Tsoukas HN. Recognising the valuable work which the Naval Base performs as one of the most important services of the Hellenic Navy, I feel pride in taking on the role of Director, but also gratitude to the leadership which has entrusted me with the directorship of the Crete Naval Base. I will work with all my strength to fulfil my mission.”
Holders of the post would appear to benefit from a retirement promotion since both Nektarios Lyberakis and Vasileios Tsoukas started their appointments with the rank of Antiploiarchos (Commodore) and left with the rank of Antinavarchos (Rear Admiral).
A video of the event, filmed by Creta TV, can be seen on the station’s Facebook page, here: https://www.facebook.com/watch/?v=1360043932107754