Integrating New Vessels and Technology into Established Maritime Organisations
The Royal Netherlands lifeboat organisation (KNRM) is a charity which exists since 1824. This means KNRM is totally independent of government funding. Yearly about 3500 persons are rescued by 1300 volunteers, divided over 45 lifeboat stations and 75 lifeboats.
KNRM lifeboats are state of the art, being able to carry out rescues and return home safely is our primary concern. Lifeboats and their equipment should therefore always be of proven technology. There is however a conflict between these two ambitions: State of the Art, and Proven Technology. When has a development matured sufficiently to be earmarked as “proven”?
The volunteers who man the lifeboats in the early days used to have a maritime background, local fisherman who knew every inch of the sea in their area. The volunteers nowadays available are well trained, highly skilled lifeboat men with the same drive as in the early days, to help those who are in need. The maritime background is more often not available, people origin from every walk of life.
New technologies should not only remain reliable in the most adverse weather conditions, they should be designed and implemented in such a way that they will support our crews in carrying out their mission. This is where the second conflict arises, the thin line where (new) technology meets man. Cultural aspects (‘the way we do things”) but also older versus younger generation approaches, kick in new technologies or lifeboat designs are introduced.
KNRM has a reputation to be well guarded, enabling our crews to carry out their mission. This means walking the thin lines as described resulting into state of the art ships, which have the full confidence of our crews.
Hans van der Molen - Head of Technical Projects & Innovation, KNRM (Royal Netherlands Lifeboat)
Hans has been working for the Royal Netherlands Sea Rescue organisation for over 27 years as technical superintendent, where he is currently in charge of a small team which is responsible for technical projects and technical innovation.
Hans started his career in the merchant navy as one of the first ships engineer / navigation officer generation. After being stationed 2 years in Japan and Korea as part of a new building team for container vessels and a career at sea for almost 9 years, Hans decided to join the lifeboat services, combining best of both worlds, working in a maritime environment , while being able to live ashore.
Over the last couple of years Hans has gained in depth knowledge on the subjects of Whole Body vibration and Repeated Shock which helps KNRM to provide maximum care for their lifeboat crews.
Download NEXT GEN Workshops October 2016 Presentation (password required)
NEXT GEN Workshops PRESENTATION: Hans van der Molen
Integrating New Vessels and Technology into Established Maritime Organisations