Young cadets from the Royal Netherlands Navy have stepped aboard the Sea Ranger Service’s sailing vessels to support its voyages, marking the beginning of a new collaboration between the Sea Ranger Service and the navy. The initiative highlights shared ambitions to build maritime skills and create career opportunities for young people.
The first step in this collaboration sees cadets working full-time alongside the Sea Ranger crew for a period of four months to help sail and manage the vessels during operations. This exchange gives them the chance to put their training into practice while contributing to the ocean conservation work of the Sea Ranger Service.
A recognition of transferable skills
The Sea Ranger Service has long recognised the valuable skills and experience that people from the military bring to its conservation work. Building on this, we offer employment opportunities to ex-service personnel, who play a key role in selecting and training new recruits during the annual Sea Ranger Bootcamp. During this process, they share their knowledge and experience with Sea Ranger recruits and help shape the new Sea Ranger crews.
Carolien Verberne, Commodore at the Royal Netherlands Navy and Wietse Van Der Werf, Founder, CEO at the Sea Ranger Service, signed a collaboration agreement at the launch of the new Sea Ranger Service vessel, SRS Janet Taylor, on 2 April 2025.
Looking ahead to an ongoing collaboration
Referring to the collaboration with the Sea Ranger Service, Carolien Verberne, Commodore and Director of Personnel and Organisation at the Royal Netherlands Navy said: “At the Royal Netherlands Navy, we believe in the power of collaboration and innovation. Our partnership with the Sea Ranger Service offers a unique opportunity to develop young talent, explore sustainable maritime solutions, and contribute to a futureproof navy. Together, we are charting a course toward a stronger and more sustainable maritime domain.”
When asked about the future of this collaboration, Sea Ranger Service Founder, CEO Wietse Van Der Werf said: “We are proud to begin this collaboration with the navy. It creates new opportunities for young people to build their skills, increases their employability and gives them experience of life at sea in a professional setting. By working together, we can inspire the next generation to take up a career in service to marine nature.”
The new partnership marks the formal beginning of a longer-term relationship. Further opportunities for collaboration in training and youth development are planned in the years ahead, including potential fast-tracked career pathways with the navy for Sea Rangers after completing their initial work season at sea.
