August 2024 - February 2025
She was not a beauty, never had been for that matter. But she might still serve a purpose if she could pass recertification.
This process involved identifying years of neglect, backlogs in maintenance and sorting through missing or incomplete technical information in four different European languages.
With an updated fire safety system and a safe electrical installation she is now the temporary home of prospective new Dutch citizens.
May 2024-July 2024
A sad day in history.
After many years battling with wood rot, gribble and corrosion I had to take drastic measures with regards to my ex-RNLI Lifeboat Colby Cubbins III.
Starting with the original hull shape and the engine-shaft-propellor setup, I developed the concept design in Rhino 3D. This was then transformed into a construction package, ready for CE-approval and cutting. The transformation was done in close cooperation with an external engineering company.
April 2024
A really special job!
The Dutch Para Dance foundation had been able to organise their annual international competition based on last year’s experience. Due to my busy schedule I was not able to join the preparations. We had however remained in close contact and I decided to donate some money to their efforts.
For this they gave me the honour to present the prizes to the winners of the competition. A special job indeed!
May 2023 - March 2024
See? See? No CO2!
This was a really special project to participate in. One of the most innovative yards in the Netherlands asked me to assist them with the conversion of an inland trader from diesel power to Hydrogen powered.
Obviously, I could not refuse such an opportunity to be part of the energy transition. This involved on my part not only doing a complex refit job on a vessel that was in need of some good old TLC but also engaging with all the necessary risk analyses, Class surveyors where no Class rules exist and interfacing with new technology providers.
April 2023
All work and no play…?
With a bit more leisure time at hand during this period I helped organise the Dutch Para Dance Sport Competition in Amstelveen. My contributions included sourcing materials, applying for grants and arranging sponsorships. It was wonderfully inspiring and hugely satisfying to be part of the team that helped the SRN (the Dutch Para dance foundation) on their way of independently organising an international competition.
All of the work eventually culminated in the actual competition taking place during the Easter weekend of 2023. Many a tear was shed during the three days of the competition, all of which were of joy and excitement.
June 2022 - March 2023
While sorting out the legal documentation I did some smaller projects for the same client. These included retrofitting a Ballast Water Treatment System on one of Rotterdam’s maritime icons as well as preparing an upgrade of a floating dry dock.
July 2021 - May 2022
This is an odd one out. I was asked to supervise the construction of an inland cruise ship on behalf of the hull builder. My activities included project management, stock control, quality control, maintenance of the equipment etc. All of this in the midst of the Corona pandemic. Unfortunately, due to supply problems at the yard, we were not able to finalise the project. I did however get a chance to work with a top team of legal specialists in order to disentangle the mutual contractual obligations.
It is easier said than done. This turned out to be a highly complex job, which taught everyone involved how narrow the distinction is between success and failure.
March 2020 - June 2021
NH Nieuws interview
Doing a project is one thing, but having the popular press report on it is a different matter. In this period I worked for a well established shipyard in the Netherlands on an innovatie type of ferries.
And it did not go unnoticed.
November 2019 - February 2020
While work in the Offshore industry is slow in the winter season, there is still a lot of other work I can do in the meantime.
One such activity is the restoration of a classic mcGruer Olympic dragon of 1948. Badly neglected over the course of the last twenty or so years, she is in need of replacement of her keel, bow and stern timbers as well as half of her frames and all of her deck.
Rome was not built in a single day. Neither is the restoration of this beautiful yacht, so I will keep you posted on the progress.
October 2019
A major player in the Dutch dredging market needed two models to be made for casting moulds. Desperately stressed for time they contacted me and asked whether I knew of anyone who possessed the necessary skills for working with wood.
Sure I did! Even though I did not have all the necessary tools at my disposal, I accepted the job. With assistance from my extensive network, I made the models and delivered them in time at the foundry.
August - September 2019
My volunteer work for the Dutch Dance Sport Federation (NADB) engaged me once more in a promotional activity. This time we were invited by the organisers of the 50Plusbeurs (Over 50’s Fair) to provide entertainment and demonstrations on the 2019 edition of the fair.
Whereas my normal work routine involves hard data and rigid rules and regulations, my approach to this event was no different than to any other project. Whether dealing with volunteers or professionals, it is soft skills that stimulate people to make it a real success for all involved. I am therefore glad to be able to say that with a team of 62 volunteers we not only provided high quality entertainment value for the fair, we also encouraged a large number of people to start dancing (again). In addition to that, we attracted large crowds of people making the fair even more worthwhile for the neighbouring stands .
July 2019
As part of my ongoing research into the yachting industry, I joined m/y Hanse Explorer during one of her cruises through the Svalbard archipelago.
Apart from exploring the sights and the spectacular scenery of Svalbard, I also explored the vessel and her interior logistics. After all, good hotel services must be supported by good hotel logistics and Hanse Explorer is a good example of both.
June 2019
I spent part of my holidays on the continuous repair program of my own motor yacht ‘Colby’, a former RNLI lifeboat from Barra Island.
After having done major hull section replacements in previous years, I decided to focus more on painting above the water line. And of course, the replacement of planking in the worst affected areas below the waterline.
Using the same techniques and materials (double diagonal mahogany planking) as during newbuilding more than 70 years ago, I restored one more piece of integrity of the yacht’s hull.
March - May 2019
A major shipbuilder in the Netherlands asked me to help them to update their specification structure and -workflow. Previously, their specs were based on earlier specifications with alterations suitable for the project at hand. This increased the workload and was a cause for mistakes once the specification size reached a certain volume.
With the input from the designers and engineers I set up a new format of the specifications, which is easy to use and can be adjusted with little chance of errors, while still maintaining the structure of their own workflow.
November 2018 - February 2019
As a follow up on the previous projects I was invited to assist in engineering the layout, arranging the production of and installation on board of a complete array of equipment for cable removal and off shore wind mill preparation works.
Besides comprising an extensive scope, the project was made more challenging due to last minute changes in the planning and complex interfaces between multiple suppliers.
Thanks to good cooperation between all parties involved, we managed to deliver the vessel on time to the project team.
October - November 2018
Again, for an offshore contractor, I installed a trencher system on board of a chartered Offshore Supply Vessel. The extremely short time frame made this another challenging project. Within a period of three weeks all arrangements were made and the system including the grillage was installed and functioning.
October 2018
For the Dutch Dance Sport Federation (NADB) I helped organise a series of demonstration events with the focus on promoting Dancing for senior citizens and handicapped people. Together with Corrie van Hugten of the Dutch Wheelchair Foundation (SRN) we made it into a fun-filled day for everyone.
August - September 2018
On behalf of a large offshore contractor I have prepared, arranged and managed the installation of an offshore gangway system, a boat landing and the subframes for six offshore containers to be used during an offshore windmill installation campaign on the North Sea off the German Coast.
Finding the space needed for all the equipment, the containers and the working space, proved to be a challenge until the very end. With the aid of the company’s engineering department and the subcontractors involved, we managed to get everything on board, without delay to the project team and within the budget, while still fulfilling all the relevant rules and regulations.
May - June 2018
It was just a question: ‘I know what kind of yacht I want to buy, but I do not know what it all means to buy a boat like that. Can you help me?’
Sure I can! In a series of Q&A sessions I determined the needs of my client and the budget available. Then I sourced the necessary information on the internet and contacted several brokers for their yachts on offer. Together with my knowledge of the yachting industry as well as of the shipping industry we got a clear picture of the feasibility of my client’s plans.
The result? It was possible, but based on my research and the report I made, my client realised that chartering a yacht would be a much better option, rather than buying one. Following his decision, I assisted him in selecting a suitable yacht for charter.
April 2018
My first project!
A good friend of mine had a hole in one of her window frames. Desperate to finally have a sound house again she asked me to repair it for her. Together we assessed the total damage and the most cost-efficient method of repair.
The repairs were planned and performed with my friend’s schedule in mind so the least interference with the household was achieved.
Earlier achievements
2015 Supervising Helideck design and installation
While working for Jumbo Shipping, I was charged with overseeing the design and installation of a Helideck on Jumbo’s mv Fairplayer.
The whole scope of work included more than just overseeing the construction of the helideck. It also included integrating all the electrical systems into the vessel’s existing layout as well as reinforcing the vessels construction to take all the loads of the helideck. And lest we forget, it involved applying all the rules and regulations applicable to helicopter operations.
All in all, the entire project was performed on time and within budget while still navigating through all the unexpected obstacles that come with a maritime project.
2013 Chief Engineer m/y Brazil
When you accept that the unusual is a possibility, you may find that the possibilities can be unusual. And so it was that, in order to replenish my study funds, I accepted a summer job as an engineer on board the 40 meter long power yacht Brazil.
The owner remarked that the yacht’s engine room reminded him of his own factories, with the difference being that our endproduct was a great holiday experience. We accepted this as the best compliment he could have given us.
2009-2012 Various carpentry projects
Since I was studying full time during these years, my earnings were reduced to a minimum. In order to have some financial headroom, I accepted various carpentry projects here and there.