Latest news with #Ithaca
The National
3 days ago
- General
- The National
Scottish oil and gas firm fined £300,000 after 'terrifying incident'
The episode happened on the FPF-1 offshore platform, owned by Aberdeen-based Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited, during a night shift on December 10, 2020. The men had been descending in a lift inside one of the platform's legs to carry out routine inspection work at the base of one of the sub-sea columns when they experienced a 'rush of air'. Before the lift reached the bottom of the shaft it started to fill with water, which was up to the men's knees by the time they were able to stop the lift by pressing the emergency button, the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) said. READ MORE: SNP to consider banning football fans caught using flares at games They returned to the main deck safely and none of the men sustained any injuries. An HSE investigation found that hardware failures and incorrect operating procedures had caused the bottom of the lift shaft to flood while the inspection site was being cleared of standing water. The HSE also found that a lack of water alarms at the bottom of the lift shaft also meant the control room was unaware that water was flooding into the shaft. The investigation found that water marks on the lift door showed the water had reached a level of just under 1.5m before the lift was stopped. Meanwhile, Ithaca's own investigation found the water level could have reached more than three metres – which would have made it difficult for the men to have escaped through the top hatch of the lift if the workers had used the lift later, or not been able to stop it as quickly as they did. Ithaca pleaded guilty to safety failings at a hearing at Aberdeen Sheriff Court on June 12, and were issued with a £300,000 fine, the HSE said. HSE inspector Ian Chilley said: 'This was a terrifying incident for the workers involved, we are just thankful that no physical harm came to them. 'This fine should send a message and reminder to those operating offshore facilities for them to be extra vigilant. 'It was only a matter of good fortune that this incident didn't result in serious injury, or worse.' READ MORE: Search concludes after man goes overboard from Clyde ferry The HSE added that when passing sentence, the sheriff said the case marked 'another reminder of the need for rigorous adherence to health and safety in the oil and gas industry'. The HSE also issued an improvement notice in the immediate aftermath of the incident, and work in confined spaces was halted until February 2021 while a full review of the incident was carried out. An Ithaca Energy spokesperson said: "Ithaca Energy takes its responsibilities in relation to the health, safety and welfare of its employees and contractors extremely seriously, and takes considerable pride in its excellent safety record. "The company has treated the matter with the utmost seriousness and accepts its responsibility for the failings that led to the incident, where thankfully no individual was harmed. "A thorough internal investigation was launched immediately, and the Company has worked closely with the HSEx to implement and comply with the recommendations of their findings."
The Herald Scotland
3 days ago
- General
- The Herald Scotland
Ithaca Energy hit with £300,000 fine after safety breach
The three men had been tasked with carrying out inspection work at the base of one of the facility's sub-sea columns, but during preparation failings of hardware and incorrect operating procedures caused the bottom of the lift shaft to commence filling with water. A lack of water alarms at the bottom of the shaft meant the control room was unaware of the situation, and the trio began to descend on the lift. Read More: They experienced 'a rush of air' before the bottom of the lift made contact with the water. The men were up to their knees before managing to press the emergency stop button, with no injuries sustained. The HSE investigation found that water marks on the lift door revealed it had reached a level of just under 1.5 metres before the lift was stopped and returned to surface. Ithaca's own investigation determined that the water level could have actually reached more than three metres, meaning the men would have found it difficult to escape through the top hatch of the lift if the workers had used the lift later and/or had not been successful in bringing the lift to a halt immediately. HSE issued Ithaca with an improvement notice and work in confined spaces was stopped by the company until February 2021 to allow a full review to take place. Ithaca Energy (UK) Limited of Queens Road, Aberdeen pleaded guilty to breaching The Provision and Use of Work Equipment Regulations 1998, 30 Regulation 4(1) and the Health and Safety at Work etc. Act 1974, Section 33(1)(a). The company was fined £300,000. HSE inspector Ian Chilley said: 'This was a terrifying incident for the workers involved, we are just thankful that no physical harm came to them. 'This fine should send a message and reminder to those operating offshore facilities for them to be extra vigilant. 'It was only a matter of good fortune that this incident didn't result in serious injury, or worse.' "When passing sentence, the sheriff observed the case marked 'another reminder of the need for rigorous adherence to health and safety in the oil and gas industry'." A spokesperson for Ithaca Energy said: "Ithaca Energy takes its responsibilities in relation to the health, safety and welfare of its employees and contractors extremely seriously, and takes considerable pride in its excellent safety record. "The company has treated the matter with the utmost seriousness and accepts its responsibility for the failings that led to the incident, where thankfully no individual was harmed. A thorough internal investigation was launched immediately, and the company has worked closely with the HSEx to implement and comply with the recommendations of their findings."
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Science
- Yahoo
Ithaca: New research reveals cultural and historical evolution at Homer's school
New important data on the historical and cultural evolution of Ithaca has emerged from the University of Ioannina research at the archaeological site known as Homer's School since the start of the 19th century. Located in the northern part of the island, Agios Athanasios, has as its core a large rock formation at the foot of the village of Exogi, in a green area full of water springs. The excavated antiquities are located on two mounds, which are connected by two carved staircases. The remnant of a Hellenistic tower (3rd century BC) dominates Ano Andiros, while most of Kato Andiros is occupied by a large rectangular building. The earliest evidence of human activity at the site now dates back to the Final Neolithic phase (late 5th/4th millennium BC). They include, among other things, several dozens of flint artefacts and a few hundred fragments of pottery. As far as the Bronze Age evidence is concerned, a few dozen fragments from around 30 different vases from the late 14th and 13th centuries BC have been identified so far. Of great interest is the intact underground fountain/tank on the site, with eccentric boulder walls, one of the few known of its kind. Based on its shape, its structural features and the discovery of Late Mycenaean cylinder fragments inside it, its dating to the Mycenaean paleolithic phase seems highly probable, as previous researchers have argued. The Mycenaean settlement at Homer's School probably functioned to supervise the ports and lands and to protect and manage the rich water resources of the area. As far as the historical periods are concerned, the maximum volume of ceramic material dates back to the Hellenistic and early Roman period (up to the 1st/2nd century AD). Among the total number of sherds of large vessels, 8 fragments of perianths common in sanctuaries have been identified so far. Related Christopher Nolan's next movie is an adaptation of Homer's epic poem 'The Odyssey' In addition to a number of small objects, the groups of finds include: a total of 34, so far, fragments of clay votive offerings, a few dozen clay agnitha, a small hoard of gold jewellery and other, mainly bronze, jewellery and objects. More than 100 coins of various cities (3rd century BC to 2nd century AD) reveal a flow of visitors to the site. From the ongoing work of sorting and cleaning (where appropriate) thousands of fragments of Hellenistic/Early Roman roof tiles, 14 examples of sealed tiles with Greek and Latin inscriptions have been identified. Recent processing of the material has yielded a sample which preserves a seal of major importance, with the name [OD]YCCEOC (in the general) to the left. Another fragment shows an incised dedicatory inscription, with the name probably in the dative, perhaps of a pilgrim: ODYC[CEI Regarding interpretation of the complex, the findings of W. Vollgraff's excavation (of 1904) at Upper Andros were taken into account. Of these, some are from the late Roman period, among them a miniature bronze bust with the features of Odysseus, according to the attribution of his figure in Greco-Roman art, but also in the bronze coins of Ithaca of the 4th-3rd century BC. The flourishing function of the building complex is placed in the Hellenistic to early/medium Roman times (up to the 1st/2nd century AD). The ensemble is characterised by robust structures on dandera, incorporating impressive elements of carved architecture, as well as niches for votive offerings or inscriptions, which testify to the intensive cult use of Kato Andiros. The Hellenistic monumental complex can now be linked with certainty with the Odyssey of Ithaca, and with the existence of a sanctuary/hero of Odysseus, which is mentioned, together with related games, in a resolution of about 207 BC from Magnesia in Asia Minor. The character of Odysseus and his exact position in relation to the games have been the subject of fruitful scholarly debate since the 1930s. Now, about a century after the discovery of the engraved dedicatory inscription EYCHIN ODYCCEI on a fragment of a Late Hellenistic clay mask from the Cave of the Bay of Polis, two new inscriptional testimonies have been found from of the same period (ODYCCEOC and ODYCCEI). The evidence, along with other available data, suggests the development of a prominent public complex at the site that played a major role in the religious, social and possibly political life of the Ithacans of Hellenistic-early Roman times, but also with a wider pilgrimage character. "The Municipal Authority, in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, the Ephorate of Antiquities of Kefalonia-Ithaca and the University of Ioannina will make every possible effort to protect and promote the findings, with respect to our cultural heritage", says the announcement of the municipality. "At the same time, the organization of scientific and informative events is planned, in order to give citizens and visitors the opportunity to be informed about the importance of these discoveries. Ithaca continues to inspire and surprise us. Its land speaks and reminds us of the priceless value of our history and tradition", the statement concludes.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Ancient Greek inscriptions point to the ‘Sanctuary of Odysseus'
Archeologists have been exploring the historical origins behind Homer's The Odyssey for decades, if not centuries. As is the case for many of the world's poetic epics, at least some evidence suggests that the long-suffering protagonist was partially based on an actual individual. Even if The Odyssey's hero Odysseus never actually existed, excavation sites indicate people turned to him as a source of inspiration for thousands of years—even going so far as to sometimes worship him. The newest finds to shed light on both Odysseus and his followers come from his home island of Ithaca, at what's known as the Agios Athanasios–School of Homer. An announcement on June 9 from the Greek Ministry of Culture cites the discovery of a rare underground spring cistern dating to the 14th–13th centuries BCE, during the Mycenaean palatial period. According to archeologists, the settlement at the School of Homer likely functioned as a hub for supervising surrounding ports and lands while protecting the area's rich water resources. It's just one of a network of 7 to 8 sites dotting northwest Ithaca that appear to collectively define the major urban center described by Homer in The Odyssey. While archeologists still can't definitively point to Odysseus' existence, additional discoveries in the form of two late Hellenistic inscriptions illustrate the mythological figure's importance, which eventually contributed to his local veneration. The first is ΟΔΥCCEOC, the Greek genitive (i.e. possessive or attributive) case of Odysseus which suggests a writer referring to the location as the hero's palace or temple. The second iteration, ΟΔΥCCEI, is found on a dedicatory inscription possibly created by a visiting pilgrim. These correspond to a similar etching discovered at Ithaca's nearby Polis Bay cave site during the 1930s that reads 'ΕΥΧΗΝ ΟΔΥCCΕΙ,' or 'Thanks, Odysseus.' Combined with multiple ritual artifacts and a small bronze bust of the Homeric hero, it's clear the area remained a major 'sanctuary' dedicated to the legendary figure for centuries. 'The complex is characterized by robust structures on terraces, incorporating impressive elements of carved architecture, as well as niches for votive offerings or inscriptions, which testify to the intensive cultic use,' explained the Greek Ministry of Culture. Interestingly, even more recent finds at the School of Homer appear to predate the Odyssean pilgrimage site by thousands of years. The famous ruins' previously oldest artifacts dated back to the Bronze Age Mycenaean period around the 14th and 13th centuries BCE. Now, flint tools and pottery shards indicate that the earliest known human activity at the stone complex is traceable all the way to the Final Neolithic period (late 5th to 4th millennium BCE). Taken altogether, it appears that the site's importance and cultural significance extended back into the annals of time—even further than the mythical, ill-fated voyage of Odysseus.
Forbes
10-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
Compassionate Hospitality Leaders Gather For A 100-Year Tradition At Cornell University
HEC is a conference at Cornell University's School of Hotel Administration. One hundred years ago, a group of visionary students at The Peter and Stephanie Nolan School of Hotel Administration, Cornell University, created a gathering that would bridge the academic and professional worlds of hospitality. Today, Hotel Ezra Cornell—known affectionately as HEC—has become one of the most unique and enduring student-led conferences in the world. When I was a student there from 1978 to 1982, I used to say that 'I majored in HEC.' I loved the challenge of running a themed event for alumni that came from my imagination and was executed with a team of my fellow students. One year, it was an 'Around the World in 80 Days Brunch.' I spent hours in the kitchen creating a hot air balloon for the buffet out of bread and sugar. During my Junior year, I worked with my friends to design and execute an extravaganza, 'Cast Party,' where students and alumni guests could drink, dance, and be merry together in Barton Hall, Cornell's athletic center, which we transformed into a fancy ballroom. In its centennial year, the HECentennial not only honored a rich legacy but also highlighted the enduring impact of hospitality leadership in building community, cultivating empathy, and transforming lives. The milestone event brought together students, alumni, faculty, and industry professionals in a celebration that underscored a central truth: hospitality is about relationships, not transactions, and at the core of those relationships is compassion. Each year, HEC invites hundreds of students to step into executive-level roles—managing logistics, designing guest experiences, and leading teams. The result is a generation of graduates with not just practical skills but emotional intelligence, self-awareness, and a deep sense of responsibility. What began as a student-run conference has now evolved into a global model for values-based, compassionate leadership. Dean Kate Walsh, who has led the School of Hotel Administration for nearly a decade and served on the faculty for over 25 years, emphasized the transformative potential of the field:'The secret to happiness is giving to others. Being in hospitality brings out the nurturing side of me—not just to feed, but to help people feel whole, seen, and heard.'She described HEC as 'a return home' for alumni and 'a moment of profound pride' for students—a space where future leaders discover the joy and meaning that comes from caring for others. Through that experience, the mission of hospitality becomes deeply personal, enduring, and compassionate in nature. The hospitality mindset—caring, anticipating needs, and building a sense of belonging—is increasingly essential in every sector. Ted Teng, former CEO of Leading Hotels of the World, offered a powerful reminder that hospitality leadership is defined by empathy and excellence: 'We serve not because we have to, but because we get to. That's the magic.'Teng added that compassionate leadership is not limited to the hospitality industry, but is needed everywhere. 'If more leaders thought like hoteliers, our organizations would be more human.' Yolanda Rodriguez, People and Culture Director for HEC 100, echoed this idea from the student perspective, 'There's a shared belief in this community that we lift each other up. Just support, encouragement, and a deep belief that there's space for everyone. We celebrate each other's highs and help each other through the lows.' This belief system, rooted in care and collective success, is central to hospitality education at Cornell and embodied through the relationships formed at HEC. Meryl Eriksen, a 2007 graduate and Chief Compassion Officer at Compassionate Leaders Circle, reflected on how HEC fosters values that transcend industries: 'Compassion is the heartbeat of true hospitality. When we lead with love and connection, when we see one another, we create spaces where people can thrive. HEC reminds us that leadership isn't about status or title; it's about presence, care, and the courage to serve.' Sarah Newcomb, the 2025 Managing Director of HEC, described the centennial conference as a full-circle moment—both personally and culturally. Her leadership embodied the values of mentorship, trust, and mutual respect that define the Hotelie community. 'HEC has been the most impactful classroom of my college career,' she shared. 'It's not just about managing logistics or solving problems under pressure—it's about learning how to lead with empathy, how to collaborate with care, and how to bring out the best in those around you.' That ethos was captured in a small but powerful moment during the weekend: years ago, a first-year student was invited to brunch by a senior who quietly picked up the check and said, 'Just do this for someone else when you're a senior.' That same student, now in their final year, paid it forward at HECentennial. These quiet acts of generosity reflect a culture of compassionate leadership—one that inspires individuals to lead not through authority, but through care and example. Many alumni reflected on how the School of Hotel Administration shaped their personal and professional values long after graduation. Whether working in hospitality, wellness, design, or education, their stories echoed a shared truth: the ability to care deeply and lead compassionately is a differentiator in every industry. It is not just a soft skill—it is a strategic advantage. The centennial gathering offered a vivid portrait of how hospitality leadership continues to shape the world, not through grand gestures but through daily commitments to empathy, excellence, and inclusion. This kind of leadership demands more than competence; it requires character. And it calls for the courage to lead with heart. Hospitality, at its best, is the art of making others feel at home. It is the practice of compassion in motion. For 100 years, HEC has demonstrated that leaders who understand this truth can change the world—one relationship, one gesture, one act of care at a time.
