There are more than 36 years between the start of Rob de Gaaij’s career in shipbuilding and that of his son Andreas. However, they did both start in the same department, although in 1983 it was called Ontwerpbureau Scheepsbouw or OBS [Shipbuilding Design Office] and is now the Products and Proposals department [P&P]. Rob has been with the company for 39 years. Andreas has been there for almost three years.

Immediately after studying Maritime Engineering at TU Delft, Rob (62) applied for a job at the Royal Schelde Shipyard. In 1983, he started at the Ontwerpbureau Scheepsbouw, the department now known as Products & Proposals at Damen Naval. “After a few years, I became the OBS department head,” he says. “I enjoyed working in the department for 15 years. We produced designs and quotations for the navy, as well as merchant ships. A number of these built, such as the PSD ferry, Commodore RoRo, the Captain George, a 76-metre aluminium catamaran ferry and a 25-metre Surface Effect Ship.”

It was also the time of the M and LCF frigates, followed by the ATS, LPD2 and PS, making it a busy and challenging period. They were also good times, Rob recalls. “I liked the designs and the scope of them too: integrating all aspects. I also liked the dynamics such as switching gear to make quotations. And I often got to visit clients. I travelled a lot during that time: Thailand, Canada, the Philippines, Norway.”

Rob even lived in Bergen, Norway, for a year with his family, including a small Andreas. Upon returning to the Netherlands, Rob moved from OBS to the engineering department as Line Manager Engineering Naval & Structures. Here, his responsibilities include recruitment, training and career guidance of his team. In addition, he evaluates the tools engineers work with and ensures proper instructions.

Although there is a 36-year gap, Andreas and Rob de Gaaij both started in the same department. Although there is a 36-year gap, Andreas and Rob de Gaaij both started in the same department.

“Line managers also collaborate on projects; in my case for the last two years mainly on the F126 project,” Rob explains. “The nice thing about the position of Line Manager is that you can get involved in all projects and assist where necessary. I mainly deal with Naval & Structures; hull engineering, plans and layouts and I work with the Research & Technology Support (R&TS) team. I have been doing this work for almost 25 years now and I still enjoy it. The combination of management and engineering is nice.”

His son Andreas (27) already knew in primary school that he wanted to do “something in engineering”. “It felt natural that I found the maritime world the most interesting. We always had a sailboat at home and of course I heard my father’s stories. Also, I already knew Damen Naval; through a final project at high school and the times I got to go along to a ship christening or barbecue.” He studied Maritime Engineering at TU Delft and completed his studies just as the coronavirus pandemic was nearing its peak. “Many things went on lockdown and that made applying for jobs difficult. I sent an open application to Damen Naval and got to work at P&P.”

Andreas is involved in accommodating requests for new ships. “I provide technical support to the sales team and help with budgets and calculations. I also deal with the future, with new technologies and how we can apply them. Furthermore, I make sure our portfolio is up to date and what requests are expected. Delivering the LST-100 to Nigeria has led to a wave of interest. We respond to that by keeping the website up-to-date and making sure we have a nice brochure.”

"I’m doing what I always wanted to do. I am flexible and can change gear quickly. I love the freedom of this job." Andreas de Gaaij

Like his father, Andreas likes the diversity that work at P&P has to offer. “You have to know things about all markets and work with different departments and groups in the company: sales, planning, market intelligence and more. I’m doing what I always wanted to do. I am flexible and can change gear quickly. I love the freedom of this job. You can have a lot of influence on a new design or project here.”

Rob admits that he did not expect Andreas to follow in his footsteps at Damen Naval. “To be honest, I didn’t see Maritime Engineering coming either,” he laughs. “But I like that he is working here. It’s a very interesting company in terms of products and the atmosphere is good. We don’t see each other often because I’m in building 36 and he’s in building 32. But of course, I know all the people he works with.”

Andreas adds, “Some friends thought it was strange that I joined the same company as my father, but I don’t see it as a problem. We work in different departments, and I have always been able to choose everything myself.” He concludes with: “I don’t know yet if I will last as long as my father. I can also see myself working for a start-up at some point, for example. But Damen has so many different opportunities that I can still go either way. We’ll see.”