Page 20 - Navigator 2021

Musical chairs in the taxis
THE BOATMEN OF THE KRVE (ROYAL BOATMEN’S ASSOCIATION EENDRACHT) TAKE CARE OF THE MOORING AND UNMOORING OF SHIPS IN THE PORT OF ROTTERDAM. THEY MAINLY COME INTO CONTACT WITH OTHER PEOPLE THROUGH THE TAXI SERVICES THEY PROVIDE FOR PILOTS, BUT ALSO FOR SEAFARERS, FOR EXAMPLE DURING CREW CHAN- GES. ERIK DE NEEF, CHAIRMAN OF THE KRVE: “WE HAVE SE- VEN TAXIS FOR THE EXCLUSIVE TRANSPORT OF PILOTS, EACH OF WHICH TRAVELS AROUND 180,000 KM PER YEAR. WE ALSO TRANSPORT PILOTS USING OUR WINCH CARS AND/OR FAST BOATS.”
GREAT UNCERTAINTY
“When covid broke out, there was quite a bit of panic,” so experienced De Neef. “And particularly a lot of uncertainty, amongst the pilots and amongst us. How do we safely transport the pilots and ourselves? We were both somewhat suspicious of one another. After all, a pilot can become infected aboard a ship and how can a pilot be certain that
the taxi driver is not infected? All kinds of protocols were devised. I even went to a hospital to inquire: what is the best position for a pilot
to sit? In the back seat, in the front seat? The front seat seemed to be the best option, with the ventilation system off and an open window. A protective screen has the disadvantage that an airbag can hit against it, resulting in injuries.”
PROMPT COMMUNICATION
De Neef continues: “The situation gradually became less hectic, also due to the availability of tests, protective equipment and vaccines. What helped was that not only the pilots, just like the healthcare sector, were granted special status for, among other things, transport and childcare, but all other parties involved in the handling of shipping – us included – were declared essential as well. What worked very well right from the start was the prompt communication between pilots and us in the event of a contamination. It allowed for people to immediately be quarantined. We have also continued to carry out crew changes. We take the seamen to and from the ship. They do have to stay outdoors on our boats though, rain or shine.”
20 NAVIGATOR NL 2021 N°21