> COOPERATION
‘You really need to get the job done together’
Seamen of different generations on board, how does that work in practice? We went to sea towage company Muller Dordrecht and spoke with captain Marcel van Honk and trainee Melvin Brokx. We also asked Bram Muller, director of Muller Dordrecht, about cooperation between the generations of this family business.
Cooperation on board
Marcel van Honk (age 50): “With an average crew of eight, you're highly dependent on each other. Our work is also not entirely without risk. I always discuss the mission's objective and working methods with the crew in advance. Sometimes I give the deckhands a plasticised drawing of the assignment, so that there can be no misunderstandings. When I work with new sailors, I use the radio a little more. If we have worked together more often, a lot can be done with gestures. When something goes wrong, in the heat of the moment, I occasionally shout something like: ‘Hey halfwit, you're not paying attention.’ But yelling at the crew is no longer allowed. I followed a course for that. Ha ha ha. I have nothing to complain about our trainee Melvin. He's a smart guy. I advised him to keep learning and to obtain a higher professional diploma. As it happens, I like working with young people. They are sometimes a bit rash and that needs to be tempered. On the other hand, when we talk about it with each other, they also contribute useful ideas. That encourages me to take a critical look at my own way of working.”
Melvin Brokx (age 20): “I'm studying to be a Maritime Officer all ships in Rotterdam. I like an offshore traineeship more than sailing on a dry cargo ship, for example. At a company like Muller Dordrecht, the work is more dynamic. Being part of such a small crew also appeals to me. Good cooperation is vital here. You really need to get the job done together. At first, I wasn't very familiar with the work. But thanks to an experienced Filipino sailor and the officers on board, I soon got a grip on it. Initially the contact with Captain Van Honk was frequently over the radio and I had to come to the bridge regularly to discuss matters. But eventually you realise what you have to do and you engage more with one another. When I understood, for example, how to secure the anchor chains between two pins, there was no longer a need for a radio. I could suffice with a thumbs up towards the captain on the bridge.”
“With an average crew of eight, you're highly dependent on each other.”
Marcel van Honk
“Good cooperation is vital here.”
Melvin Brokx
Cooperation within the family
Bram Muller: The family firm Muller Dordrecht has been in existence for more than 100 years. Muller is active in sea towage, heavy transport, decommissioning, the offshore energy sector and harbour towage services. Muller has a good reputation when it comes to performing complex assignments. The company employs about a hundred people. The fleet consists of thirteen tugs and pushboats and sixteen pontoons for heavy loads. “I joined this family business in 1986”, says director Bram Muller. “For the first few years, I worked with my father and my cousin. We shared commitment, passion and responsibility. Now I'm working with my son. I like that mix of different age groups. Generations can learn from one another. And that's no different aboard a ship. Approximately 70% of our employees are under 40 years of age, 30% are older. Our older people have the experience, our younger people the energy. These days, young seafarers are quick to understand how to do something, but during complicated manoeuvring, a seasoned captain is indispensable. We work on our sea tugs with small crews. From five to ten men. That makes you very much dependent on each other.”
Bram thinks his employees are more important than his ships: “You can buy a boat. But professionals must be cherished, and you need to meet them halfway. We do this by, for example, keeping the sailing period relatively short. Three weeks, four at the most. That's appreciated by our people, particularly if they have children.” Although the work can be termed ‘heavy’, there is not much interest among older workers to retire earlier. Bram: “Our people are actually hobbyists. They love their work. Last year, one of our staff reluctantly retired. He asked if he could step in every now and then.” For more information about Muller Dordrecht, go to www.muller-dordrecht.nl.←