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#1: Edwin Blom in Indonesia
Working for Damen Naval doesn’t necessarily mean being based in Vlissingen or even the Netherlands. There are currently quite a few Damen Naval people working abroad. In this article, we hear about Edwin Blom’s life and work in Indonesia.
Edwin is a Damen Naval Senior Engineer based in Surabaya, Indonesia. He started working there in 2015, initially for a two-year period. Here we are, nearly nine years later, and Edwin is still working and living in Indonesia. He has experienced a lot over the years: working as Commissioning Coordinator and Warranty Engineer on the two most recent Damen PKR frigates for the Indonesian Navy. He has also been hired out to Damen subsidiary Nevesbu to work on their MRLF frigate Usman Harun and a Malaysian coastguard project.
"Blue river" dip in Papua. You could even drink the water.
Heading out to Indonesia
Edwin’s first job for Damen Naval in Indonesia was the role of Production Coordinator for the PKR2 frigate. “This was for Module 3: the engine rooms, galley and switchboard rooms. After this was finished, I was asked to coordinate the commissioning of both ships. With that I was also responsible for the sea trials. After the ships were handed over I stayed here as Warranty Engineer.” With the start of the PKR FFBNW project towards the end of 2018, his job involved adding additional weapon systems to both frigates and, with a four-strong team from Damen Vlissingen, coordinating the on-site operations. “This included all the testing: the HAT, SIT and SAT,” says Edwin. “Also the training and everything required to make the project a success, including the combat sea trials. And once again, I stayed here after delivery for the warranty period, supporting the client as much as possible.”
Then came the corona pandemic and the numerous challenges accompanying it. “Since travelling was not that easy, Nevesbu (part of Damen Naval) asked for support on their Usman Harun project in Surabaya. Fortunately I was able to give the support needed. That is the reason I now also work for Nevesbu.”
"The best thing here is that it is a beautiful country with friendly people and lots of wildlife. We had a nest of 21 pythons in our garden, and last week there was a cobra in front of the house." Edwin Blom
In the meantime, his role on the PKR project expanded to working on the Exocet and VL Mica live firings on both vessels. “It was very cool to be a part of that, coordinating the attendance of mbda and Thales, advising the Navy about the location, clearing air and sea traffic, making the crews practice over and over again. I am thankful to have been given the chance to expand my combat systems experiences.”
Leon (second from right) during the SAT of PKR 2. Together with Leon Goosens (fourth from left) "godfather" of the SIGMA.
Giving the client peace of mind
All of this brings us to 2024, with Edwin working two functions in Surabaya. “I am Damen’s Service Engineer for our six Damen vessels based here; the four Sigma corvettes and the two PKR frigates.
For Nevesbu I work as site manager on the Usman Harun project.” Working under the umbrella of Damen Services, Edwin has frequent contact with the Indonesian Navy. “The client knows that they can rely on me for advice on spare parts and services. ‘How can I help’ is my motto… how cool is it if a Navy asks your advice and you can give them the right support? It’s also about giving them peace of mind.”
His work for Nevesbu on the Usman Harun project requires a lot of communication and coordination between the Navy’s task force team, main local contractor and shipyard. “This involves a lot of reading between the lines in order to figure out what the Navy and client really mean and translate that to Nevesbu.”
Returning to shore with the technicians after the successful VL-MICA live firing on PKR2.
Coordinating with Vlissingen
Since Damen has no current production projects in Indonesia, Edwin’s job is mainly related to service assignments, for which he has frequent contact with his colleagues in Vlissingen. “We are trying to expand the services possibilities here in Indonesia by actively selling spare parts and hopefully service contracts,” explains Edwin. “There is a huge need for spare parts and maintenance activities and the Navy really wants our involvement regarding that.”
Edwin describes his work as very diverse. “I love to work in this beautiful and special country – there’s never a dull moment here.” However, Edwin does miss the personal contact with colleagues. “Sometimes it’s nice to work with your colleagues to come to solutions together. But, on the other hand, I also like to solve issues by myself.”
Visit from a one-and-a-half-metre python on the terrace.
Living abroad
What is it like to live in Indonesia? “The best thing here is that it’s a beautiful country with friendly people and lots of wildlife. We have civet cats on our roof, a cockatoo stopped by once in our tree and a nest of 21 pythons in our garden, and last week there was a cobra in front of the house. You’re often in awe of the wildlife here.”
In his free time, Edwin is spoilt for choice. “Hiking in the surrounding hills, mountains or jungles. Or there are some amazing dive sites here. There are about 17,000 islands here; I have seen several already, and after I retire I will have more time to travel. Although I have calculated that I would need another 1,568 years to see all the islands.” While living and working abroad certainly has its upsides, there are, of course, some things that Edwin misses about life in the Netherlands. “I miss friends and family. When you are the only Damen person on site, it’s not always easy to plan home visits. So I miss a lot of the lives of the people closest to me: that’s tough sometimes.” Boerenkool met worst is also on Edwin’s list of things he misses, “but that is not available here, besides that it’s way too hot here for that”. Instead he names Nasi Goreng and Mie Goreng as the most “easy going” local dishes in addition to Rawon (black soup), Iga bakar (grilled ribs), rendang, and gurami fish as his favourites.