Every year, Rotterdam hosts World Port Days, the city’s biggest annual maritime festival. For three days, the port opens its doors to the public, showcasing innovation, tradition, and the people who make the maritime sector thrive. Held since 1978, the festival attracts hundreds of thousands of visitors and has become one of Europe’s premier maritime events. The 2025 edition was no exception, bringing together ships, crews, and audiences from around the world to celebrate the beating heart of Europe’s largest port.
Welcoming visitors onboard the SRS Janet Taylor
The Sea Ranger Service was proud to be part of this year’s festival with our sailing vessel, SRS Janet Taylor. Docked at Paul Nijghkade, the ship became a centerpiece for visitors curious about our work. Over the course of three days, our Sea Rangers offered countless guided tours of the vessel. From families and maritime enthusiasts to young people considering a future at sea, the ship’s deck was alive with conversations, curiosity, and inspiration.
Our crew worked tirelessly throughout the weekend, welcoming guests, answering questions, and sharing stories of life as a Sea Ranger. Beyond the hard work, the atmosphere was vibrant, filled with fun, learning, and meaningful exchanges.
Inspiring the next generation at MATCH career event
Alongside ship tours, we also joined the MATCH career event, where attention turned to future opportunities in the maritime world. Many visitors wanted to know how they could become a Sea Ranger themselves. We explained how the Sea Ranger Bootcamp serves as the entry point into our service, an intense and transformative programme designed to select and prepare new Sea Rangers. Interest was high, and it was rewarding to see so many young people inspired by our mission.
A special highlight: SRS Janet Taylor in the lightshow
One of the standout moments of the weekend was the spectacular evening lightshow. The organisers featured the SRS Janet Taylor, highlighting the vessel’s role in modern ocean conservation and youth employment. Seeing our ship illuminated and celebrated in front of the audience was a proud moment for our team and a reminder of the growing recognition of the Sea Ranger Service’s mission.
Looking ahead
World Port Days 2025 was an unforgettable experience for the Sea Ranger Service. From hosting ship tours and career conversations to enjoying the evening celebrations, we felt deeply connected to the spirit of the event. We thank everyone who visited us, asked questions, and showed interest in our work.
We look forward to returning in future years and continuing to inspire, train, and empower the next generation of Sea Rangers.
