Ronald de Baar Production Coordinator Steel Construction

‘Shipbuilding gets to you’

Although I have been active in the steel construction business all of my life, I didn't start working for Damen Schelde Naval Shipbuilding until 3 years ago. Shipbuilding is really something else, with its own jargon and drawing style.

I work as a production coordinator for steel construction. This means that I am responsible for the ship's body; right from the first plate cut all the way through to the complete vessel. A ship is split up and prefabricated in workable parts.

 

In our present ships for instance, we make a cross section of the body during construction. They are put together in the dock. This way the rings form a complete steel body. 

 

WEIGHING INTERESTS

Depending on our workload, we have approx. 150 people working on this process; most of them work in double shifts and are welders and body construction metal workers. The work takes place at different sites, both in Vlissingen-Oost as well as on the ‘island', the dock in Vlissingen. When I arrived here 3 years ago, I was a real newcomer. So in a way, it was remarkable that I got this job. During the first period, I was shown the ropes by a colleague so that I could get familiar with the work involved. Even though I had a background in mechanical engineering, shipbuilding is something completely different. In my work it is not just important to have the necessary know how, you also have to be able to interact with people. Sometimes I have to make difficult choices, which require that I weigh all the interests with care. Planning and timely delivery are my guidelines.

NO DAY IS THE SAME

Although I haven't always worked in this line of business, I now know that shipbuilding gets to you. The product we make is without a doubt wonderful. All of us are proud of it. So obviously you invest some extra time every now and then. But the fact that no day is the same outweighs that any day of the week. I get to meet with my colleagues in many different disciplines and during this phase you have to pay the subcontractors the necessary attention too. That's what makes this job so great.

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