Willard is a professional skipper with the KNRM. While most people seek shelter in bad weather, the KNRM sets sail. Not because they can, but because they must. To rescue people and animals at sea, especially when conditions are at their worst.
The difference? Preparation, training, and the right resources. But even then, not everything can be predicted.
In this personal story, Willard shares a situation at sea that shows that you can't train for everything. Watch the video or read the written article.
“Hindsight is 20/20. You only really learn when you experience it”
Context
The safety of the crew is always paramount. That is why the KNRM invests in the latest technology, the best protective equipment, and specially built lifeboats that can sail in all weather conditions. Crews regularly practice different scenarios to be as well prepared as possible. However, practice shows that not every scenario can be trained for. This means practicing, continuing to practice, and applying experience to the next deployment so that rescuers are well prepared to go out on the water even under the most difficult conditions.
Safety is preparation and experience
Nothing can be taken for granted at sea. Not even for well-trained crews. Procedures, drills, and equipment form the basis, but real situations always require judgment and experience.
Yes, these kinds of situations do occur. And they show how vulnerable you can sometimes be on a ship, no matter how well prepared you think you are. Ideally, the crew knows exactly what to do. But knowing and experiencing are two different things.
Hindsight is 20/20. Only when you experience it do you discover how a ship reacts. How you yourself react. What is still possible and what is no longer possible. You can't learn that from a book alone. You have to learn to deal with it. And that means practicing, continuing to practice, and taking your experiences with you to the next assignment.
Alarm in the night: the Fremantle Highway
“We were asleep at night when the alarm went off. Fire on board a vessel: the Fremantle Highway.
When we arrived, we saw a huge wall of smoke. The fire was spreading rapidly. In the smoke, we saw someone flashing a light. The man was completely trapped. He was in real distress.
We agreed that he would jump over the railing and we would pull him out of the water. Of course, a ship like that meets all the requirements. But in this case, a simple abseiling kit would have made the rescue operation a lot easier and safer."
“A very simple abseiling kit could have made the rescue operation a lot easier.”
“I am a professional skipper on Ameland. We are there to rescue people and animals at sea. When others go indoors, we set sail. Even in severe weather.”
We don't do this lightly. We sail on ships that are built for this purpose and wear custom-made survival suits. These protect us from the cold and the elements and ensure that we stay afloat if we end up in the water.
At the KNRM, we always say: you get to experience wonderful things and you can help people. But you also encounter misery. And you know that. It's a conscious choice.”
“A very simple abseiling kit could have made the rescue operation a lot easier”
We are always looking for personal stories from the maritime sector. Stories about (near) accidents, where a situation ended well, are incredibly valuable. By sharing your experiences, you help others become more aware of the dangers and how to prevent them. Sharing these stories can save lives and contributes to a culture of safety at sea. Would you like to share your story? Sign up using the form on our website. Together, we can make the sea a safer workplace for everyone.
Willard is a professional skipper with the KNRM. While most people seek shelter in bad weather, the KNRM sets sail. Not because they can, but because they must. To rescue people and animals at sea, especially when conditions are at their worst.
The difference? Preparation, training, and the right resources. But even then, not everything can be predicted.
In this personal story, Willard shares a situation at sea that shows that you can't train for everything. Watch the video or read the written article.
“Hindsight is 20/20. You only really learn when you experience it”
Context
The safety of the crew is always paramount. That is why the KNRM invests in the latest technology, the best protective equipment, and specially built lifeboats that can sail in all weather conditions. Crews regularly practice different scenarios to be as well prepared as possible. However, practice shows that not every scenario can be trained for. This means practicing, continuing to practice, and applying experience to the next deployment so that rescuers are well prepared to go out on the water even under the most difficult conditions.
Safety is preparation and experience
Nothing can be taken for granted at sea. Not even for well-trained crews. Procedures, drills, and equipment form the basis, but real situations always require judgment and experience.
Yes, these kinds of situations do occur. And they show how vulnerable you can sometimes be on a ship, no matter how well prepared you think you are. Ideally, the crew knows exactly what to do. But knowing and experiencing are two different things.
Hindsight is 20/20. Only when you experience it do you discover how a ship reacts. How you yourself react. What is still possible and what is no longer possible. You can't learn that from a book alone. You have to learn to deal with it. And that means practicing, continuing to practice, and taking your experiences with you to the next assignment.
Alarm in the night: the Fremantle Highway
“We were asleep at night when the alarm went off. Fire on board a vessel: the Fremantle Highway.
When we arrived, we saw a huge wall of smoke. The fire was spreading rapidly. In the smoke, we saw someone flashing a light. The man was completely trapped. He was in real distress.
We agreed that he would jump over the railing and we would pull him out of the water. Of course, a ship like that meets all the requirements. But in this case, a simple abseiling kit would have made the rescue operation a lot easier and safer."
“A very simple abseiling kit could have made the rescue operation a lot easier.”
“A very simple abseiling kit could have made the rescue operation a lot easier”
“I am a professional skipper on Ameland. We are there to rescue people and animals at sea. When others go indoors, we set sail. Even in severe weather.”
We don't do this lightly. We sail on ships that are built for this purpose and wear custom-made survival suits. These protect us from the cold and the elements and ensure that we stay afloat if we end up in the water.
At the KNRM, we always say: you get to experience wonderful things and you can help people. But you also encounter misery. And you know that. It's a conscious choice.”
We are always looking for personal stories from the maritime sector. Stories about (near) accidents, where a situation ended well, are incredibly valuable. By sharing your experiences, you help others become more aware of the dangers and how to prevent them. Sharing these stories can save lives and contributes to a culture of safety at sea. Would you like to share your story? Sign up using the form on our website. Together, we can make the sea a safer workplace for everyone.