Zaandam Captain Pieter Jan Van Maurik recently gave out Service Awards to some crew members. Congratulations to all the wonderful recipients.

25 Years – Rocky Christiaan

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Here is a brief article with photos from Human Resources Clerk Ray Manutu about his first time seeing Glacier Bay, Alaska.

Some crew members and I were about to have an exciting experience in Glacier Bay. It was raining and the air was freezing. The water was full of small icebergs; we saw two bald eagles sitting on icebergs, and on the beach on the right side of the ship we saw two grizzly bears walking very fast along the beach, but you needed binoculars to see them. I was lucky that one of the guests lent me his binoculars to see them. When we arrived in Glacier Bay, I heard the cracking sound of the glacier, and when the glacier fell down, it sounded more like a thunder. To me this was an amazing, fun experience.

Zaandam’s Human Resources Clerk Ray Manutu and other crew members sail for the time in Glacier Bay, Alaska.

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The good people of Haines, Alaska, put together a dance instruction video and had several of their community members come out the pier to meet the ms Zaandam on May 22, 2013, for a surprise Flash Mob Dance. In addition to the community members of Haines participating, we had the front office team, future cruise consultant and human resource manager led by Guest Relations Manager Luciana Malquevee out doing the impromptu dance on the pier. It was a fun experience and nice to share a popular event with so many people. What a warm welcoming for our ship! Hopefully at some point the people of Haines will post a video on YouTube from the event.

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Here is a group shot of the latest HAL U Leadership Academy and Supervisory Excellence Graduates from the Statendam. Thanks to onboard Photo Manager Ian Kee for the great photo!

Verlie Michelle Nelson is Statendam’s human resources manager.

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Statendam‘s Foreman Engine Robert Feber Gosal recently celebrated 20 years with HAL! A service award ceremony was held to commemorate this special occasion and present him with his award. Below is a fun Q & A with Robert. Congratulations!

From left: Foreman Engine Robert Feber Gosal and Master Albert Jan Schoonderbeek.

How long have you been with the company?
20 years.

What ships have you been on?
All of the ships, except Eurodam and Nieuw Amsterdam.

What brought you to sea – why did you start to work on the ships?
I went to marine school and half way through I decided to start looking for a job at sea. In 1975 I started working on cargo ships, oil bunkers, containers and tanker ships. I officially joined HAL in 1992.

What is one of the things you like best about working on the ships?
It helps me to fulfill my obligations back home financially, plus I love to travel!

What is one of the most memorable experiences you have from working on the ships?
The most memorable experience was when I worked with a Japanese company, because I would have the opportunity to cross the South China Sea and would even get to see typhoons frequently. I also enjoyed the religious services that were provided for the crew every Sunday.

Name one place you would like to go?
Easter Island. I’ve been there three times already, but I’d love to go again.

What does a Foreman Engine do?
My responsibilities include overlooking the engine room and marshaling area and making sure everyone is performing well and doing their job safely.

What do you take pride in?
The fact that I have been able to travel around the world and visit many different places.

What are some of your past accomplishments?
Being able to manage many men in their careers and teach them how to remain healthy and safe.

Where is home?
Jakarta, Indonesia.

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Here is a great photo of HAL U’s Supervisory Excellence and Leadership Academy Graduates aboard Statendam.

Photo taken by Ian Kee, photo manager.

Verlie Nelson is Statendam’s human resources manager.

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Here are some more of the photos from Captain Consen’s last moments on board Statendam and debarking. We were blowing the horn in his honor and even the passing tug/cargo ships were blowing their horns too in honor of this great man and captain!

Thanks to onboard photographer Lucille Julie Boudoux for taking such amazing photos of our captain with staff and crew members as well as Hotel Director Jessica Schumann and Staff Captain Johannes van den Nouland!

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Here are some of the photos from Captain Consen’s last moments on board Statendam and debarking. We were blowing the horn in his honor and even the passing tug/cargo ships were blowing their horns too in honor of this great man and captain!

Thanks to onboard photographer Lucille Boudoux for taking such great photos of our captain with staff and crew members as he left the ship.

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Topics: ms Statendam, Staff & Crew | | 3 Comments