Damen Shiprepair & Conversion

Taking care of the Sea Cadet Corps

Date: October 2018
Ship name: Zeekadetkorps training vessels
Ship type: Other
Yard: Damen Shipyards Den Helder, Damen Shiprepair Harlingen, Damen Shiprepair Oranjewerf

Tasks performed for this project

Maintenance support

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The Zeekadetkorps (ZKK), or Sea Cadet Corps, are an important part of the Netherlands maritime culture. They give many young people their first taste of going to sea in a ship and teach them the basic skills needed to crew and sail them. The vessels involved are generally retired naval and government ships and the Zeekadetkorps are run as charities, relying on voluntary contributions to keep them operational. Damen Shiprepair & Conversion has worked with various Korps for years, with a number of shipyards involved. In October 2018, Damen’s yards in Den Helder, Harlingen and the Oranjewerf yard in Amsterdam docked three Zeekadetkorps vessels as well as a fourth operated by a similar voluntary organisation.

Damen Shipyards Den Helder welcomed the Bulgia from ZKK Alkmaar. This is a former patrol and later training vessel of the Royal Netherlands Navy (RNLN), built in 1954. 36-metres in length, it has 31 berths and is used as a base for weekly meetings, sailing weekends, work weekends and the annual summer camp. Damen Shiprepair Harlingen meanwhile docked the Sittard, owned by ZKK Harlingen, and the Roermond, owned by ZKK Lemmer. Both are M380 minesweepers from the Dokkum class. These ships were built in the 1950s, using wood over aluminium frames to avoid generating a magnetic field. The fourth vessel was the Mahu. Owned by Sailing Heritage KM. She attends various events and supports a range of good causes for all ages. Like the ZKK vessels, the Mahu is a minesweeper, but this time of the 33-metre Van Straelen class, built in 1960. She was docked at Damen Shiprepair Oranjewerf.

With their limited resources, the Zeekadetkorps and Sailing Heritage KM do as much maintenance work as they can themselves. The yards supported them by docking the vessels, pressure washing and then spray-painting them. As wooden ships take longer to dry before they can be painted, the vessels needed a few additional days on the platforms. The hull shapes also mean that lifting them requires special care, with extra side supports needed in the synchro-lift cradles to hold them securely. While information on the vessels‘ design and build characteristics is not widely available, the RNLN is fortunately willing to supply technical support when needed.

Marlies Souwerbren, Secretary of the Zeekadetkorps Alkmaar, said regarding the Bulgia: “I would like to express my sincere thanks for Damen’s cooperation and sponsorship. Thanks to your highly valued help, it remains possible for us to continue providing sailing activities to the youth members of our foundation. Not only are you helping to encourage young people to consider careers in the maritime sector, you are also contributing to the social function that our foundation offers to youth from all backgrounds.”

In a statement issued by the board of Zeekadetkorps Harlingen, they commented that: “The special design of our ex-minesweeper presents challenges for maintenance concerning the use of materials, techniques and tools. It is our priority to be able to sail safely and reliably and to preserve this special sailing heritage. Damen shares our interests and is a partner that supports us in these technical challenges with its knowledge and experience. Damen’s flexibility and "can do" mentality make it a reliable and valuable partner for us.”

DAMEN SHIPYARDS DEN HELDER

Damen Shipyards Den Helder started out as a small ship repair business in 1923 and seventy years later joined the Damen Shipyards Group. Now it is focused on repair and maintenance for the offshore, dredging, fishing and towage markets. It also undertakes the occasional new build project.

Damen Shiprepair Harlingen is located in the northern part of the Netherlands, in the city of Harlingen. It is easily accessible through the Wadden Sea without any obstructions such as locks, bridges or tidal restrictions, up to a guaranteed draft of 7.5 meters.

DAMEN SHIPREPAIR HARLINGEN

DAMEN SHIPREPAIR ORANJEWERF

Damen Shiprepair Oranjewerf has amassed a wealth of experience and knowledge in the fields of ship repair, refit, modification and maintenance. This has only increased since the merger with the Damen Shipyards Group and due to ongoing growth throughout the years.