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What actually happens during sea trials? And who sails on board the ship? The Royal Netherlands Navy’s new Combat Support Ship (CSS) recently completed a successful sea trials voyage from Romania to the Netherlands. In addition to the 75-strong crew, there was a whole team of people on board from Damen Naval, Damen Shipyards Galaţi (DSGa), the Materiel & IT Command (COMMIT), the Directorate of Materiel Sustainment (DMI) and subcontractors. Together, they conducted a packed programme of Sea Acceptance Tests (SATs) and measurements to thoroughly test all systems and seaworthiness of the CSS.
The Damen Naval team had its own space on board from where their work could be coordinated.
There are 156 berths on the CSS, including the 75-strong crew. That seems a lot, but all those places were almost constantly filled during the recent sea trials from Romania to the Netherlands. Even six beds in the sickbay were occupied, as a huge amount of work had to be done in a relatively short time. From Damen Naval, some 20 people were on board for the entire trip. In addition, there was a group of embarkers and disembarkers who embarked and disembarked in Crete, Malta, Majorca, Lisbon, or Den Helder.
Sea Trials Coordinator Hannes Pauwelyn (right) with Sea Trials Advisor Martin Wattel.
Hannes Pauwelyn, 32, was Sea Trials Coordinator for this trip, which meant he was responsible for just about everything that went on board: the programme of the SATs, finding sleeping places for all the people who had to travel with them, getting parts delivered for repairs or modifications and much more. Actually, he had just started in his new role at ICT as Manager Data Management, but he did not want to miss the sea trials. “This was a once in a lifetime experience. I was attached to the project for six years and experienced the entire construction phase. Actually, the sea trials were supposed to take place in January 2024, but after it was postponed, I managed to arrange with my new boss that I could still go along.”
The voyage turned out to be a unique, but also an intense experience, Hannes says. “I underestimated how much work it was; what was on my plate. It was a challenge to fit the whole team that had to come along into the ship and fortunately we could also use the beds in the sickbay. We had 156 places on board, and they were all filled for much of the journey. What I found very special to see was the ‘can do’ mentality of the team. Every problem that came our way, they were able to solve. It was impressive to see how quickly they could switch gears. You need that during such a sea trial.”
"What I found very special to see was the ‘can do’ mentality of the team. It was impressive to see how quickly they could switch gears. You need that during such a sea trial.” Hannes Pauwelyn
The Damen Naval had a team of people on board that could be roughly divided into two categories. On the one hand, there were the commissioners who supervised the SATs and demonstrated to the crew and COMMIT that the systems were functioning properly. On the other hand, there were the engineers who made an inventory of focus points during the sea trials: the so-called sea trial points. A sea trial is the first moment when the whole ship comes to life at once. Only then can we really test whether all systems, machinery and installations work properly and work together. It also reveals what needs to be adjusted or improved.
Damen Naval had an impressive team of people on board to ensure everything went smoothly during the sea trials.
CSS Project Manager Engineering Rinko Rottier (50) was responsible, together with his team, for assessing the trial points during the sea trials. “It is nice to see that a lot of systems are working as intended. There were no problems with drinking water, wastewater disposal or not being able to shower for a day,” he says. “After three weeks, we had accumulated about 200 points. That is not a lot and most of it has already been processed on board. The percentage still open is a good balance of bugs or problems that we are going to solve and extra work that the customer will work with us with. I am very proud of the entire engineering team, because we all made sure that we designed and built a beautiful ship.”
"I am very proud of the entire engineering team, because we all made sure that we designed and built a beautiful ship.” Rinko Rottier
CSS Project Manager Engineering Rinko Rottier.
During the sea trials, all kinds of issues are reported that could be improved. Some issues are minor complaints that can be solved immediately on board. Other issues are more serious and are classified as sea trial points. These fall into two categories: residual points and additional work. Residual items are things that were not delivered according to contract or did not work properly. Additional work are items that were not included in the contract, but which the crew and COMMIT subsequently feel could be different or better, and are ordered at a later stage.
An example of extra work was found in the bakery. Although there are usually no more than 75 crew members on board the CSS, the ship has to be able to accommodate double that. Rinko: “The baker noticed that with 156 people on board, he did not have enough racks to allow bread to cool. Another example is the bosun’s store, where the layout was done, and the various shelves were placed according to the design model and drawings. But on board, in the furnished space, it became clear that the route to and from the exit could be more direct. Therefore, under additional work, part of the space is now being redesigned.”
Among those on board was the team of engineers who inventoried the sea trial points.
Rinko had not experienced sea trials aboard a Dutch naval vessel before. “It is special and instructive to see a working ship and to see how the crew works with it. Normally we design from behind our desks, but now we can see how those designs are used in practice. I would give anyone the chance to do this once. The trip is fantastic to experience. We are sailing a beautiful route and have had great weather, but the downside is that we make very long days. We start at 7.15am, the first people don’t stop until 8pm and often work even longer.”
"It’s great to see that everything is working properly and that we haven’t had any major problems. The ship is doing well, and I hope that for the customer everything is also satisfactory.” Alexandru Radu
Team Lead Plans and Arrangements Jan van Keulen.
Jan van Keulen (56) is Team Lead Plans and Arrangements and was on board dealing with the hull and outfitting. “My job is to assess the sea trials points brought up by the crew and COMMIT and see what needs to be fixed by us or what needs to be done as additional work. The ship is doing well, especially compared to other ships when it comes to the propulsion and operation of the ship.”
Jan has been involved in the CSS project since the contract was signed, and although he has participated in several sea trials, he found this a very special voyage. “To see the ship and all the systems in operation is a crowning achievement for us. It was a unique trip, especially considering the situation in Ukraine. It gave some extra tension that we sailed on the Danube past Ukraine. We could see war-torn grain silos, buildings, and boats and then the war is very close by. It was great to sail through the Bosphorus. It sometimes feels a bit like a cruise but with very hard work.”
CSS Project Manager Commissioning Alexandru Radu.
CSS Project Manager Commissioning Alexandru Radu (37) was on board with a team from Romania. He was responsible for all start-up activities during both Harbour Acceptance Tests (HATs) and SATs. “During the HATs, all systems are also tested, but the sea trials is the first time the ship is not connected to shore. And only then can you really test whether everything works properly. It’s great to see that everything is working properly and that we haven’t had any major problems. The ship is doing well, and I hope that for the customer everything is also satisfactory.”
“We have come through it well, but we worked hard to get it that way. It has taken long days. We have been lucky with the weather, because with bad weather it could have been very different. It’s a beautiful ship.” John Deurloo
Chief Service Engineer John Deurloo.
Chief Service Engineer John Deurloo (50) kept himself busy during the sea trials with all SATs related to all things on the outer deck: Replenishment at Sea (RAS) installation, the cranes, lifeboats, hatches, gangways, doors, and anchors. “We have come through it well, but we worked hard to get it that way. It has taken long days. We have been lucky with the weather, because with bad weather it could have been very different. It’s a beautiful ship.”
For John, the highlight of the sea trials was the RAS with HNLMS Friesland. “After all, the ship was designed and built for that, so that installation has to work well. Unfortunately, the Friesland can only refuel on the port side, so we were only able to test the RAS installation on the starboard side.”
Since arriving at Vlissingen-Oost in December, several works have been carried out. A second sea trial is planned in spring, after which the CSS will be handed over to COMMIT.
Also read the interview with Project Director Arjan Risseeuw and the report by Corporate Communication Advisor Eefje Koppers.