Coming from a family of merchant seafarers, Gerry always knew that his future was tied to working at sea.

Gerasimos ‘Gerry’ Tzamarias first enrolled in the Master 24 course in February 2007 with the best intentions of completing the program and obtaining his license. Coming from a family of merchant seafarers, Gerry always knew that his future was tied to working at sea.

However, tragedy struck during the final week of his course when his partner, who had diabetes, was placed on dialysis. Gerry’s priorities shifted drastically as he focused on caring for his loved one. On November 3, 2007, his partner underwent a kidney and pancreas transplant, but the journey was far from smooth sailing.

Over the next 17 years, Gerry’s life revolved around supporting his partner through numerous health challenges. These included complications from the transplant and, in 2020, a triple heart bypass. Balancing caregiving responsibilities and finding opportunities to complete the Master 24 course proved to be a significant challenge.

Finally, in 2024, with a mix of emotions, Gerry returned to the classroom and successfully completed his Master 24 course. Reflecting on his experience, Gerry shared that he attended the course alongside a “good group” of learners who were “young and full of flair.” He appreciated the opportunity to share his knowledge during class discussions.

Now, Gerry is back at sea, stating that he’s “off fishing again, got a job thrown at me.” After his long and tumultuous passage, Gerry reflects on the value of his experiences, noting that “wisdom is priceless.”