JOHN, SKIPPER MTS AMULET
It is the summer of 2012. Rotterdam is the setting for the energetic ‘Wereldhavendagen’. 15-year-old John watches the spectacle with wide eyes. His boyhood dream is to work on a barge, with lots of power. At the Parkkade, he sees the motor tanker Mts Amulet. John doesn’t hesitate and gets on board. He was welcomed with open arms by Ton & Igor.
‘Wereldhavendagen’: where it began
On board with John, back to 2012: “The ‘Wereldhavendagen’ is and remains a great event. I’d also been there before and immediately fell in love with all those vessels. When I stepped on board, I instantly struck up a conversation with Ton. We agreed that I could come for an internship sometime. A few months later, I joined him on board during a holiday. I was directly sold. What a beautiful profession. AMS Barging really gave me the opportunity to follow my dream. I learnt so much in a few years.”
“It is the contact with other seafarers that makes the work exciting.”
Climbing up the ladder
John explains: “I first took a VMBO course at the STC. During my internships, I really started at the bottom of the ladder. After that, I went through all the ranks within a few years. Started as a deckhand, then sailor and finally I got my helmsman papers. By the time I was 20 years old, I had my full license.
At AMS Barging, you can develop quickly. If you are motivated, they’ll do anything for you. What could be better than barging independently at a young age?”
Always in motion
“In our business, we are always on the move. Loading at spot A and bunkering at spot B. It goes on 24/7. The great thing about working here is that you have a lot of free time. It’s 2 weeks of work and 2 weeks free”, says John.
“In inland shipping, you really work as a team and carry out different tasks. Bunkering is really fun and different every time. Also on board, there is a good atmosphere among the crew. We’ve experienced a lot and we all share the same passion.”
START YOUR STORY
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Start your maritime adventure as a (student) sailor!
Develop yourself by learning everything there is to
know about inland shipping on board.
START GROWING
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Lift your career by starting as a helmsman at AMS Barging.
Assist the captain with a variety of tasks and responsibilities,
while gaining independency.
TAKE THE LEAD
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Lead your crew successfully on one of our barges.
Engage with crew members from different parts of
the world while navigating on the inland waterways.
