In October 2022, I was asked to temporary fill in a position at the Boskalis Office in Antwerp (Offshore Energy/Marine Services) that entailed support duties for the Operations Department. Soon it was discovered that my qualities transcended the qualities needed for the Support duties, and I was asked to take on a Operations Manager’s position, and so I did.
Managing the operations for 4- up to, sometimes, 10 vessels and projects to the satisfaction of Boskalis. Overseeing General Operations, Commercial activities, Invoicing and Finances, Project Operations. What started as a 2 moths fill in turned into a 2 year steady cooperation between Boskalis and myself.
The Offshore Project market had cooled off, and charter opportunities were scarce, while the vessel only had a few weeks of agreed charter-time left. As Captain and self-assumed stakeholder, I encouraged the onboard team to go the extra mile for the Oil Company that hired us. Showing flexibility in environmental margins (weather) and ensured the project was completed to the client’s satisfaction on time, while I knew that the Oil Company was in an internal discussion about an additional project whether to put it on hold or to find the quickest and most economical way to proceed. When the Oil Company noticed what my crew and the vessel was capable of, with no downtime whatsoever, an extension of the charter was established and the vessel continued on-hire for three(!) more years.
The Semi-Submersible Accommodation vessel I commanded was due for an upgrade from DP Class 1 to DP Class 2. Normally such an upgrade would imply going off-hire for several weeks to get the job done. After constructive negotiations with both the Charterers and the Ship-Owners it was agreed to do it while in operation. Managing the crew and the client’s personnel in such a manner that all was completed in a safe- and successful manner and within the timeframe given with a minimum of disruption to our Client. Leading to the awarding of many charter-years to come.
A shipping company had purchased their first DP Class 3 Accommodation/Walk-to-Work vessel and was struggling to maintain a good relationship with their first charters due to continuing on-board disagreements between Client Representatives and Ship-Board-Management members. After my arrival I arranged for clarity regarding contractual agreements, additional requests from charterers and a can-do attitude amongst the on-board crew. Procedures for additional tasks and billing were agreed and a successful maintenance- and upgrade campaign on the Charterer’s FPSO’s could begin. A five years steady period of a commercially very lucrative charter began…
Maritime & Offshore Expertise 