From HR to high seas: Ruth’s adventure with Heesen’s sea trial team

“A behind-the-scenes look at what we create!” – Ruth has been working as an HR Assistant at Heesen Yachts for almost three years now. But beyond her daily work at the office, she occasionally trades her desk for the deck – as a member of Heesen’s sea trial team. Here’s how she got involved.

From HR to the North Sea

“Every yacht goes through sea trials – test runs at sea to make sure everything is functioning perfectly. There’s a fixed team for this, made up of engineers, foremen, and mechanics. But there was a desire to expand the team with a flexible pool of internal colleagues, in case someone suddenly can’t join. Everyone at Heesen was invited to apply, and I just had to go for it. I had zero experience on boats – let alone superyachts – so how cool is it to be part of that?”

After completing internal training, Ruth officially joined the pool. “You really get to see what an amazing product we build here. It’s a literal behind-the-scenes experience.”

What a sea trial day looks like

Ruth has been on board twice so far – “my next one is scheduled for 2027, unless someone drops out and I get lucky again ” – and she shares what a typical day looks like.

“We start early, at 06:45 on board in the harbor of Rotterdam. The last two times, the yacht, Project Orion, was moored at Greenport. Alongside the other deckhand, I help with departure: we pull in the mooring lines and communicate over radio about any passing vessels and how much space the Yard Captain has on starboard and port side. When we return, we secure the yacht to the quay again.”

“During the sea trials, the yacht is tested to the limit. There are subcontractors and guests on board, and we help ensure everything runs smoothly and safely. And yes – we’re well taken care of: great packed lunches, plenty of coffee, and a good hotel in Rotterdam to stay the night. The days are long, sometimes we’re only back in the harbor around 19:30, but the experience is worth every minute.”

Moments you don’t forget

“One of the most impressive things? Seeing the yacht speed across the North Sea, with nothing but the horizon in sight. That’s a truly breathtaking moment.”

And then there’s the helicopter. “During the trials, our photographer Ruben Griffioen sometimes joins us – flying around in a helicopter to capture photos and video of the yacht in action. He gets really close! It’s such an epic sight from the deck.”

Three words to describe Heesen?

When we ask Ruth to describe Heesen in three words, she doesn’t hesitate: Craftsmanship. Brabants. Performance-driven.

“Craftsmanship is visible in every corner of the company – from the technical departments to the final details on board. People work with such precision and passion. ‘Brabants’ reflects the strong sense of community and down-to-earth atmosphere. Even though we build superyachts, it still feels like a close-knit village where everyone knows each other. And performance-driven, because we always aim for the highest standards. The bar is high, but that’s what makes the work exciting and rewarding.”

According to Ruth, it’s exactly this combination that makes Heesen unique: professional and ambitious, while still genuinely caring about its people.

A unique kind of workday

“Sea trials are long and intense, but also completely unique. You get a different view of what we do here, have conversations with colleagues you’d never normally speak to, and see Heesen from a totally new angle. I’m really grateful I get to be a part of that.”