Being a technical superintendent isn’t for everyone. But if you love working hard with impressive technology, international traveling and strong teams, this might be the job for you. Just like it’s cut out for technical superintendent Matthew Romijn (36 years old). “Working on the Krios and Cosel is as versatile as can be.”
Matthew has always been interested in the maritime industry. He started his career as a diesel mechanic after studying mechanical engineering. That’s when he became interested in becoming a technical superintendent. “The idea of managing complete maintenance or repair periods really appealed to me.” Matthew deliberately chose to apply for a job at Boskalis and started at the auxiliary team in 2017. “I already knew the organization and heard good things about the open work culture.” At this moment, he’s a superintendent for the cutter suction dredger Krios and for the booster station Cosel.
The variation between the two completely different worlds on the Krios and the Cosel appeal to Matthew. “The Cosel is a booster station”, he explains. “It’s an extra pump system behind the cutter suction dredger, we use to pump dredged material over a larger distance.” Together with the crew, Matthew make sure the booster station stays in top notch condition and he handles malfunctions as quickly as possible. He also oversees the financial picture of the unit. Matthew is currently on location in Saudi-Arabia to carry out inspections, repairs and modifications. “The project schedule allowed us to work on the Cosel for a week. We always get the best out of such a period: the electronics and cooling water system will be adapted while we’re at it.”
Besides his work on the Cosel, Matthew can often be found in Abu Dhabi, where the Krios is used on a land reclamation project to dredge coarse material. Where his work on the Cosel is mostly hands-on, on the Krios he’s more involved in the bigger picture. “We depend on a large team of onboard specialist to keep the cutter suction dredger in the best operational condition. Of course, I think along with technical solutions – for instance when we’re preparing for repairs – but I also have a connecting role.” Meetings with suppliers and subcontractors, directing purchasers, keeping in contact with the shipyard: a lot of coordination is required. “And if we reach our goals by working together, of course that makes us proud. That’s what teamwork is all about.”
As a technical superintendent, you may have to spend up six months a year abroad in periods of one to six weeks, although Matthew spends about three quarters of the year in his home country the Netherlands. “You do have to be flexible to survive as a technical superintendent”, he emphasizes. “You have to be able to handle with unexpected events. Sometimes you expect to work on something for a week and you end up spending a couple weeks on something completely different. Just like my current trip to Saudi-Arabia. I was supposed to fly on to my next job on the Krios in Abu Dhabi by now, but those plans changed because of some unexpected work on the Cosel’s engines. Those last minute changes ask for a lot of flexibility and problem solving, but give a lot satisfaction when we succeed.”
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