> Welcome home
“I’m a kind of nomad”
Lenno Visser (43) is a captain on the sailing ships operated by Sailing Classics. In the winter he sails in the Caribbean; in summer, in the Mediterranean.
“I was 17 when I went to sea. I also worked ashore for a while and after a few stints here and there, I ended up at Sailing Classics in 2022. I started as a first officer and I’ve been a captain since 2023. On our sailing vessels, we have passengers who really do pitch in. Each of my voyages lasts 2 months, after which I have six weeks off. My girlfriend is a chief stewardess with Sailing Classics, and we’re usually off work at the same time. We then decide where we want to go. The last time we had some time off, we went for a walking holiday in America. Neither of us has a house. I’ve been living a kind of nomadic life for about 10 years now. I’ve got a few bits and pieces in my parents’ loft, but otherwise I’ve got no obligations. So, what does “home” actually mean for me? It could be anywhere. I’m a fan of wild places: I try to seek out spots where nobody goes.
Lenno Visser (right) has been a captain with Sailing Classics since 2023.
We do that when we’re on board too. When we spot a lovely beach in a secluded bay, we sail to it. The passengers don’t know in advance that they’re going there, but once they’re there, they’re really grateful. We don’t have any fixed commitments in our schedule, but we do have an itinerary. This means we can operate a bit more flexibly than other shipping companies. If there’s not much wind, it just takes us a bit longer. And if we want to go snorkelling for longer, we can. We don’t have to be anywhere on time. The big advantage is that the focus is really on the actual sailing. At Sailing Classics, that’s possible, which makes this the perfect employer for me. The sense of freedom we’re able to offer our passengers suits my lifestyle.
“I’m building up my pension, which is reassuring”
Will I keep doing this work until I retire? That’s hard to say. I’m building up my pension, which is reassuring. But what will the world be like when I’m 67? It all feels very uncertain. We’ll have to see how it goes. I compare it to sailing: when the weather’s fine, it’s really lovely. And when there’s a storm, you’ve got to deal with it, whether you like it or not. In that respect, sailing is an excellent metaphor for life. ←