Friday 25 March 2011

MR. RUDY MAEREVOET - CAPTAIN OF CHARLES DARWIN

We are with Mr Rudy, captain of the "Charles Darwin", one of the largest suction dredger in the world, although somewhat lower than their sisters "Leiv Eiriksson" and "Cristobal Colon." All have been built in the Naval Sestao, Vizcaya, Spain, to Belgium's Jan de Nul owner.

Kindly Mr Rudy, has offered a short interview that we hope interesting.


L.M. Mateos .- Good morning Captain Rudy, what are the key features of "Charles Darwin?

Rudy Maerevoet .- 183.20 m in length and 40 m wide and a depth of 13 m. The installed capacity exceeding 23,600 kW and suction arms can work at a maximum depth of 93.5 meters by two suction pipes of 1,200 mm, equipped with submerged dredge pumps of 3,400 kw and a total power of 15,000 kW. This allows downloading at high speed over long distances.

L.M.- As we said "Charles Darwin" is very similar to the "Leiv Eiriksson" and "Cristobal Colon." Any substantial difference apart from size be?

R.M.- size and slightly less power but can be more versatile in certain ports, because with the depth of 13 m, 2 m less than the other vessels, allows performance in channels and shallow ports. The special dimension of the hull and minimal CO2 emissions in relation to the high ability of transport and adaptation of suction makes it very versatile. To give you an idea, when a ship sails with only 5 m of water under the keel, the speed can be of 14.1 knots.

L.M.- What will be the main tasks of this ship?

R.M.-The dredging of harbors and rivers and occasionally in great works of creation of artificial islands such as those underway in Dubai.

L.M.- What is the role of a captain on a ship of this size?

R.M.- "Actually, the captain is like the manager or CEO of a company. There is a technical director of operations, supplies and many other places, all fundamental. My main role is that everything is perfectly coordinated and operating at peak efficiency.

L.M.- This will come in a vocation or is a family tradition

R.M.- I am the fourth generation in my family, my father, my grandfather and great-grandfather sailed the seas. Moreover, one of my brothers is also captain, another naval engineer and the other went off the tradition and leads large trucks, but something has to do, albeit on the ground (laughs).


R.M.-(laughs) Hopefully more seafarers and pirates also were mostly British.


L.M.-  hahaha. Tell us about your experience
R.M.-The training is tough in nautical schools and has many years experience at sea before reaching captain. Many miles to go around the world several times.

L.M.-  "To get an idea, with an output operation 5 miles take aggregates and deposit back ... what time empleáis?

R.M.-Depends on whether it is sand, the density or if another type of aggregate or sludge. The depth of suction and the geography of the seabed. But usually about 2 hours for loading and unloading and shipping up to 5 miles, about half an hour.

L.M.-  How many maneuvers, in these circumstances, you can make in a day, 24 hours?

R.M.- 4 or 5 moves about, displacing about 30,000 m3 gives a volume of 150,000 m3.

L.M.- Bone as the Guggenheim or more. That barbaric and to get an idea. How much gallons of fuel a day do you spend?

R.M.- The "Charles Darwin" consumes about 90 m3 of oil per day.

L.M.- A lot, if a car has a tank of 60 liters capacity, nourish some 1,500 cars. I prefer not to think what it would cost me a day.

R.M.- If every day.

L.M.- And oil and filters, better not to talk. How awful!

L.M.-  How many crew usually works on this ship?

R.M.- We can get 42 people, but usually carry about 34 people for three shifts.

L.M.-  What you have crew rotation?

R.M.- approximately 6 weeks and 6 weeks working at home.

L.M.- Well alright, working half a year and a half holiday to compensate for time you are away from home.

R.M.- Yes, it is very good, yes (laughs). In this company we can not complain.

L.M.-  "I said before that at full load reaches 16 knots, a speed which is truly significant.

R.M.- Yes, yes, but takes obviously more time to reach them.

L.M.- weighted understand that when you go is much more stable than in vacuum, right?

R.M.- Yes, because the length is important in vacuum. Best full.

L.M.- face of a severe storm in vacuum that do?

R.M.- Dodge. Whenever possible the skirt.

L.M.-  "I'm sure you've ever been in tough situations ...

R.M.- For the Caribbean and Indo-China areas had up to 5 tornadoes in 6 weeks. It was in 2001 the hardest. (Laughs) Even as always the hardest is the last.

L.M.-  With a boat of this kind?

R.M.- If more or less, half cubic meters and a vessel of 100m. You can never anticipate everything and the danger needs to be addressed. So the preparation of all the crews of Jan de Nul is very intense.

L.M.-  What is the capacity of funding you?

R.M.- 90 m is less than the big two. But this well, and reaches almost to the beach.

L.M.-  Let the future. I think zarpáis in 3 days. What target do you have?

R.M.-  Yes Come to Brazil, and since we have to come after the Carnival, we have to go half speed or so.

L.M.-  "It's a shame not to have fun come before something ...

R.M.- Yes, we do. What to do!. (Laughs) If they do not want to work in carnivals can not do anything.

L.M.-  Most of the crew is Flemish?


R.M.- Are Flemish, Belgians, Dutch, Croatian, Brazilian


L.M.-  You also have Brazilian.


R.M.- We have to. Law foreman.

L.M.-  but women ... I have not seen any ...

R.M.- No (laughs). It is difficult for sailing, working on deck and machinery is very hard.
In these vessels, 

L.M.- compliance you attain a very high technology. I'm thinking the implementation of the IMO II for example.

R.M.- really do. With time you offer more demanding environmental, and security. These vessels have nothing to do with a few years ago. Jan de Nul has a large fleet and every moment has been built thinking of the latest technologies.

L.M.- Ingeteam supplied the engine technology and electronic control, at least, that I know of in the last 4 ships. I imagine that its quality and technology is first class.

R.M.- To my knowledge all the time, and from the "Cristobal Colon" - has not been hit. Really have a strong engineering, both Ingeteam their ancillary businesses, propellers and other cross-sectional.

L.M.- This ship is a transverse cross-aft and two forward.

R.M.- Right.

L.M.- Regarding the rating of the ship, which now corresponds to Elexalde, and evaluate the results.

R.M.- Very good finish and execution. In addition, they have one bedroom and bathroom for each crew member. The finish is very fine, although the pub is the smallest of ships Jan de Nul. But it is very successful.

L.M.- I wish I have half of the Pub in my house!. Indeed, most of the furniture is brought from Belgium .

R.M.- I do not know if the Belgian company but they decide. It is the same.

L.M.- I think you've been to Bilbao a few years back. Castilian speak very well and I presume you know well the Navy. How do you see technology Shipyard?

R.M.- The Naval Shipyard is a very great tradition. Jan de Nul requires a high level of commitment to technology. I know they have problems, like most in the sector, but the ships they build are first class and complex.

L.M.-  I'll be back to how well you speak Castilian. English better than me ...

R.M.- O Flamenco ... (laughs)

L.M.-  Yes, flamenco makes me worse. I promise to catch up in a few years. How about this part of northern and Bilbao?

R.M.- "Okay, I came here with my wife in 2003 for 9 months. Very good, good weather and good people.

L.M.- You've seen the Guggenheim.

R.M.- YES, I like. Other areas: The Sands, the center, many.

L.M.-  And chiquiteo, go have some wine ...

R.M.- (Laughs) I like, because there are many good skewers. It's something that we have in Belgium. It's another thing.

L.M.- Finally, tell me four words in Euskera.

R.M.- Irtela, aeroportua, kalea. Would you say a few words in flamenco?

L.M.- Ok

R.M.- (Speak Flamenco - I find it impossible to translate) laughs.

L.M.- Give me a few years, perhaps 30 and then I´ll answer. Thank you for everything and I hope that you have the best possible voyage. Thank you very much.


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