Royal De Vries Shipbuilding Makkum
13 May 2014
Makkum - For years, the activities committee of KIVI Region North has organised excursions for members. These take us to interesting, high-tech, artisanal or just production-oriented companies. Sometimes, very sometimes, you get the chance to visit a unique company. And a unique company is definitely Royal De Vries Scheepsbouw in Makkum. The participants, too, are apparently aware of this. More than half an hour before the start, quite a few engineers are already at the reception desk.
Reception
After a warm welcome from Simone Meester, executive assistant, Sijbrand de Vries, managing director, tells a fascinating story about Royal De Vries Scheepsbouw in Makkum. About how it once originated in Aalsmeer and that grandfather De Vries made the prams for the flower auction. The company has since grown into a shipbuilder building luxury yachts for the rich and famous.
Feadship
The Feadship partnership was founded in 1949. Feadship stands for First Export Association of Dutch Shipbuilders. Feadship's mission is to build the best boats in the world. Each Feadship yacht is unique and is designed and built according to the owner's specific wishes. Characteristic of the yachts is the exceptionally high level of finishing, where perfection is carried out down to the smallest details.
On board
If you are then allowed to view a 40-metre and 92-metre luxury yacht under completion at the shipyard and are even allowed on board, you just imagine yourself to be some rich oil sheik. During the tour, all kinds of questions about the yachts' technical specifications are answered. And meanwhile, our eyes see what is almost beyond our imagination but looks almost like standard superyachts. Large sun decks (with Jacuzzis), multiple sliding doors, a helideck, speedboats on board, a large engine room, laundry room, extensive galley and even a swimming pool is not missing.
Fully impressed, people talk about the craftsmanship required to build this kind of yacht and the enormous commitment of the staff. Most participants want to stay as long as possible. For one thing, because of the complexity of the product. After all, every engineer sees his field of expertise reflected in the yacht. And on the other, because such a yacht captures the imagination. And for a moment, just for a moment, I understand the rich of the earth and the world they live in a little better.
With heartfelt thanks to Royal De Vries Scheepsbouw in Makkum, Sijbrand de Vries and Simone Meester, for making this unique excursion possible.
Text: Ir. Mariska van Cronenberg
Description
Working on luxury mega-yachts is what people do at the Royal De Vries Scheepsbouw shipyards in Makkum. In both Makkum and Aalsmeer, hulls are finished into exclusive dream yachts from Feadship. This is a Dutch brand with a world reputation. The yachts are "custom-built to perfection" for a select international clientele.
Royal De Vries Scheepsbouw has been in existence since 1906. At the shipyards in Aalsmeer and Makkum, the best craftsmen in the Netherlands work on the most beautiful yachts in the world. They use high-quality materials, the most modern techniques and the most innovative technologies. Each yacht that leaves the shipyard is unique and forms a jewel in our crown. The yachts have a minimum size of 75 metres in length and 12 metres in width. The maximum volume is 3,000 tonnes. Royal De Vries Scheepsbouw Makkum also focuses on refits: the renovation and restyling of classic Feadship yachts. Royal De Vries Scheepsbouw Makkum has provided a piece of craftsmanship for a number of world-renowned individuals.
During this excursion, we will, among other things, tour the yachts lying in the hall at the shipyard. Would you like to know more about finishing luxury yachts? Then we look forward to seeing you on 13 May in Makkum!
The programme will be as follows:
15.30 - 16.00
reception by Koninklijke de Vries Scheepsbouw Makkum
16.00 - 17.30
company presentation, tour of the yard* and explanation of current and new projects
17.30 - 18.00
closing
A snack and drink will be offered by Koninklijke de Vries Scheepsbouw Makkum.
* It is not
permitted to take photos during the tour.
Speaker(s)
Host is Sijbrand de Vries, director
Location
8754 HA MAKKUM
Organiser
Region North
Royal De Vries Shipbuilding Makkum
Name and contact details for information
Ir. M. van Cronenberg | 06-51202681