On Wednesday afternoon 2 April, Her Majesty Queen Máxima of the Netherlands will christen the new, innovative sailing ship of the Sea Ranger Service in Rotterdam. It is the Netherlands’ first and only sailing working vessel suitable for offshore work.
The Sea Ranger Service is an innovative social enterprise for ocean conservation. Since its establishment in 2016 in Rotterdam, the organisation has proven its effectiveness by guiding over 200 young people aged 18 to 29 towards maritime work, including in underprivileged coastal areas. Sea Rangers work for a year in paid service on research, monitoring protected areas and restoring maritime biodiversity. They also develop new methods together with universities and knowledge partners to further improve marine nature conservation.
With a focus on social impact, the Sea Ranger Service offers young people a flying start to their maritime career, as they gain experience on board and undergo various maritime (safety) training courses. All candidates first go through an intensive nine-day boot camp, guided by former military personnel, after which those selected are given a paid position for one year.
Apart from along the Dutch coast, Sea Rangers operate internationally in five other countries, including France and the UK. The goal of the Sea Ranger Service is to restore biodiversity in 10,000 hectares of ocean and guide 2,500 young people to work.
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First sailing offshore work vessel
The new sailing ship that the Sea Ranger Service will unveil in Rotterdam on 2 April, to be christened afterwards by Her Majesty Queen Máxima, is therefore a ‘small ship with a big mission’.
As the Netherlands’ only sailing offshore work vessel, it is not only an ideal training ship, it can also carry out light offshore work without the additional emissions of fossil fuel-powered ships. The ship was developed and built specifically for the Sea Ranger Service over a five-year period, with the help of several naval architects, builders and other partners.
Research and monitoring work
The 30-tonne vessel is 23 metres long, accommodates four Sea Rangers and three professional crew members. It has unlimited sailing area thanks to its open sea classification. The ship is equipped with state-of-the-art equipment for the Sea Rangers’ research and monitoring work; such as climate monitoring equipment, a sonar for hydrographic survey and drones for in-water and airborne surveys. It is also expected to be actively deployed in the offshore wind sector from 2026.
Wietse van der Werf, founder and CEO of the Sea Ranger Service: ‘We are incredibly honoured that our new “small ship with a big mission” will be unveiled and christened by Her Majesty Queen Máxima. This is truly a recognition of the commitment of the young Sea Rangers and a signal that we are on the right track with our social and green ambitions. The fleet expansion will enable the Sea Ranger Service to make great strides for employment and conservation in the coming years.’
Programme 2 April
The unveiling of the new ship and the subsequent christening by Queen Máxima will take place from 15:30 at the Kop van Zuid in Rotterdam, next to Hotel New York. A plenary programme on the work of the Sea Ranger Service will be followed by an unveiling and christening ceremony. After the christening, Queen Máxima will speak with some Sea Rangers and partners of the Sea Ranger Service. More than 50 (former) Sea Rangers will be present.
Picture by Sea Rangers Service.
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