Gdynia Maritime University GMU

Professor Jan Kazimierz Włodarski, DSc

Rector of the Gdynia Maritime Higher School, 01.10.1989 - 30.11.1989

A first-class ship mechanical officer, full professor of technical sciences, deputy rector and rector of the Maritime Higher School, founder of the Association of Senior Marine Mechanics.

Research and Professional Experience

Jan Kazimierz Włodarski was born on 24th November 1931 in the village of Czermno in the Kielce region, where he graduated from primary school in 1945. In 1949, after graduating from a general secondary school, he entered the Jung School, before becoming a student of the Faculty of Mechanical Engineering of the State Maritime School in Gdynia, where he graduated with honours in 1952. Following graduation, he began work at Gdynia Ship Repair Service as a motorist, at the same time furthering his education at the Faculty of Shipbuilding of Gdańsk University of Technology.

In November 1952, he moved to work at the Shipbuilding School, part of the Gdynia Shipyard, initially a constructor, and later a school workshops technical manager, as well as teaching classes on ship mechanisms.

Polish Ocean Lines

In July 1955, he was employed at the Marine Rolling Stock Construction Agency in Gdańsk, where he worked for a year as a senior constructor. After completing his engineering studies at the Gdańsk University of Technology in July 1956, Jan Kazimierz Włodarski joined the crew of Polish Ocean Lines, initially as an engine assistant. During his career with the shipping company, he continues to further his qualifications and climb the marine engineering ranks. In 1963, he qualified as a first-class mechanical engineer and was made senior engineer.

In November 1966, he moved to the POL Technical Inspectorate – initially as a senior technical inspector, and after two years the head of the Technical Supervision Department, a position he held until 1973. As a first-class mechanical engineer (since 1962) he served on ships including the m.s. Dzierżyński, the s.s. Marchlewski, the m.s. Głogów and the m.t. Beskidy. From 1968 until 1971, he worked temporarily as the senior mechanical engineer on the m.s Batory and the t.s.s. Stefan Batory.

In 1966, he began postgraduate studies at the Gdańsk University of Technology's Faculty of Shipbuilding, graduating in 1970 with a master of mechanical engineering degree in shipbuilding, with a specialisation in machines and ship power plants. On 20th January 1976, he was awarded a doctorate in technical science, by a resolution of the Scientific Council of the Institute of Fluid-Flow Machinery of the Polish Academy of Sciences.

Maritime Higher School

He began work at the Gdynia Maritime Higher School in 1968, initially as a contract lecturer on ship mechanisms and steam turbines, and in 1973 as a reader at the School's Institute of Technical Exploitation of Ship Power Plants (ITESO).

In 1975, he put together a scientific research team at ITESO to investigate nodal and central problems in the exploitation of ship machines.

Scientific Work and Decorations

In 1979, J.K. Włodarski published his first monograph entitled "Lubrication and Wear of Ship Machines" was published. This was followed by "Piston Internal Combustion Engines – Tribological Processes" in 1982. As for his professional career, he worked as the head of the Ship Powerplants Workshop (1973-1990) and held the roles of deputy rector for seamanship training (1975-1981 and 1987-1990) and interim Rector from 1st until 30th November 1989. In 1990, he obtained the title of associate professor of technical sciences and a year later the title of full professor.

He lectured on the subjects of marine internal combustion engines and the exploitation of ship machines. He also wrote textbooks that were republished in several editions by the university's publishing house.

In 1997, in recognition of his work in ship machine exploitation, Professor Włodarski was awarded the Professor Stefan Ziemba medal.

In the 90s, his research interests also included issues of safety in the transport of hazardous goods by tanker, as well as the atmospheric pollution produced from burning heavy fuels on ships.

Professor Włodarski was the author of numerous scientific works (226 by 2002), including books, papers and scientific communications in Polish and national publications. He also developed several inventions and provided more than 90 expert appraisals.

Organisational Membership

He was a member of numerous scientific organisations, including The Mechanical Engineering Committee of the – Fundamentals and Exploitation Section of the Polish Academy of Sciences, the Exploitation Committee of the Main Council of NOT, the Automotive Commission of the Polish Academy of Sciences, Gdańsk Scientific Society, Polish Tribological Society, Polish Society of Technical Diagnostics and the Polish Scientific Society of Combustion Engines.

He was actively involved in the work of IMO, taking part in the IMO mission to found a maritime academy in Angola, and representing Poland on the Board of Governors of the World Maritime University in Malmo.

From 1992 until 1996, he organised and led an international research and training team as part of the Tempus programme.

He was appointed the marine machine and device emergency expert of the Polish Chamber of International Commerce in April 1968.

In 1978-180, he was a member of the Exploitation Commission of the Main Council of NOT [Chief Technical Organisation], and in 1974-2001 a juror with the Maritime Court of Appeal in Gdynia at the County Court in Gdansk. 

He was awarded the Officer's Cross of the Order of Polonia Restituta, the Gold Cross of Merit, and the honorary title "Meritorious Educator of the Polish Republic". He died on 5th December 2014 and was buried at the Witomino Cemetery in Gdynia.