Maarten Janse was born and raised in Zeeland and has a deep connection with the sea. After completing his Bachelor of Maritime Officer degree at the Maritime Institute De Ruyter (2002–2006), he began his career as a 4th officer on the cruise ships of Holland America Line. In the years that followed, he progressed to 1st officer and gained worldwide experience in ship navigation and maneuvering, delivering safety training to crew in various emergency roles, organizing emergency drills, and leading teams responsible for the maintenance of lifesaving appliances and fire detection, prevention, and firefighting systems.

In 2022, Maarten made the transition to a shore-based position, wishing to spend more time with his family while sharing his extensive hands-on experience with others. As a Senior Maritime Instructor at DRTC, he delivers training such as AFF, PST, PSCRB, FRB, ECDIS, GWO, and MCRM, as well as modules within ship management. His trainings are realistic, practice-oriented, and always linked to real-world situations. Maarten holds the certificate of competency as Master Mariner (all ships) and Firefighting Crew Member, and is a certified CAE MCRM instructor, making him a specialist in maritime incident response and teamwork.

Maarten has a strong passion for sharing knowledge. As a black belt holder in Kyokushin karate, he enthusiastically taught both youth and adults for many years. That same energy, dedication and attention to the participant characterize his approach in every training he delivers.

Bas Gloudemans has been active in maritime safety training for many years. What began as a hobby—diving during HUET training—has grown into a passion for the maritime industry. After starting his career as an instructor and completing training as a safety specialist, Bas held various management positions at different training providers.

In addition to his dedication to safety training, the development of training centers both in the Netherlands and abroad has played a central role throughout his career. With experience from the Middle East, Asia, and Europe, Bas ultimately settled in what may well be considered the cradle of maritime education and training in the Netherlands: beautiful Zeeland.

Alongside his directorial responsibilities, Bas is still occasionally active as an instructor. After all, old habits die hard…

Born and raised in Brabant (very close to Efteling), Emile spent around 18 highly adventurous and educational years as part of the military system. Qualified to operate in extended various disciplines and shaped by the rigorous “green” Methodology, he developed a keen ability to respond inventively and ad hoc to incidents under Spartan conditions, a skillset still tested in practice somewhere on the globe today.

Since 2018, he has combined this discipline with SOLAS, STCW, and hands-on maritime expertise, delivered with a touch of humor, sharing his knowledge during training sessions under the motto: “Train as you fight.” He mainly works at the DRTC site in Flushing, on-site at companies, and on board vessels (an honorary privilege!), though he started out at the Groningen-site.

As a hobbyist in MARCOM, he contributes to DRTC’s consistently strong performance (≥90%) on CBR exam results.

Key traits: No-nonsense, energetic.

Mathanje den Boer-Besemer is married and the mother of three wonderful boys. She was born in 1976 on a Dutch military base in Blomberg, Germany, where she spent most of her childhood. At an early age, she obtained all her swimming diplomas and immediately joined the DLRG (Deutsche Lebens-Rettungs-Gesellschaft). Around the age of fourteen, she also began assisting with teaching the youngest children.

Shortly before her seventeenth birthday, she returned to the Netherlands. There, she joined a local lifeguard association and completed her MDGO-AB education. However, she did not fully find her passion in this line of work. She started a university of applied sciences program to become a recreation officer but soon discovered that she is more of a doer than a thinker who sits in an office. This led her to switch to swim instruction, where she specialized in adapted sports. Building on this, she co-founded a foundation for people with medical limitations together with a friend, which she led for 25 years.

In the meantime, it became increasingly clear that the field of emergency services continued to attract her. She joined the Red Cross, became an instructor for both the Orange Cross and the Red Cross, and after five years of teaching the crew of KNRM station Hansweert, she herself became a crew member ten years ago. Since then, she has gained international experience, including an exchange in Croatia and training in Finland with Women in SAR.

Also ten years ago, Mathanje started working at DRTC as a first aid instructor. She greatly enjoys teaching and values the contribution she can make in the world of emergency services—whether with the Red Cross, Witte Kruis, the riot police, or the KNRM. For her, it is meaningful and rewarding work, and she hopes this is also reflected in her lessons.

Jorian Schut was born and raised in Bergen op Zoom, where he grew up surrounded by water. Through sea scouts and sailing he discovered his passion for the sea and adventure. After completing his Maritime Officer studies at HZ University of Applied Sciences in Vlissingen (2016–2020), he started his seafaring career in early 2021 as an officer on heavy lift vessels. For four years he sailed worldwide and gained extensive experience with ice navigation in the Arctic region.

In early 2024, Jorian decided to pursue a shore-based career. Having previously attended his own safety courses at DRTC, he returned with great memories of that time – this time as an Maritime instructor. Since then, he has been delivering nearly the full range of STCW training, simulation training and GWO programs at DRTC. In addition, he is actively involved in the development of new courses, ensuring the training offer remains relevant and of high quality.

His training style is hands-on, approachable and always focused on learning together. Jorian values the stories and experiences of participants, creating an environment where everyone learns from one another. For him, safety courses should never feel like a mandatory exercise, but rather like a meaningful and enjoyable experience.

With certifications such as Firefighting Crew Member (and currently training for Firefighting Commander) and practical experience in challenging maritime environments, Jorian has built a solid foundation. Looking ahead, his ambition is to further expand his role by delivering more courses, developing new programs and taking on greater leadership responsibilities within the organization.

As a native of Limburg, he developed a passion for the sea at a young age, which led him to complete the MBO program Officer in Charge of a Navigational Watch, All Ships at Scalda College in Vlissingen. After a short period at sea, working in various ranks and on different vessels, he chose a shore-based career in search of greater stability.

Following several shore-based positions, he joined De Ruyter Training & Consultancy in February 2025 as a Maritime Instructor for both STCW and GWO training. He finds great satisfaction in seeing participants successfully complete their training and highly values the camaraderie among his colleagues.

Born and raised in Zeeland, Michel de Pooter carries the sea in his heart. From a young age, his parents took him along on their sailing boat, instilling in him a deep-rooted love for the water and maritime life.

After completing his Maritime Officer training, Michel began his career as a 4th Officer with the cruise ships of Holland America Line. In the following years, he rose through the ranks to Staff Captain, gaining a wealth of experience in leadership and ship operations on board cruise vessels worldwide.

In 2025, Michel chose a new course: a shore-based position that allowed him to spend more time with his family while sharing his extensive hands-on knowledge with others. As Senior Maritime Instructor at DRTC, he delivers a variety of maritime training programs and is also regularly involved in the preparation and development of courses at the office.

With over thirty years of experience as a hospital nurse, Iris Marico has gained extensive expertise across various medical specialties. She brings this wealth of knowledge and hands-on experience to De Ruyter Training & Consultancy (DRTC), where she provides Medical First Aid (MFA) and Medical Care (MC) training at the Vlissingen location.

Alongside her work at DRTC, Iris continues to practice in the hospital, ensuring she stays up to date with the latest medical developments, regulations, and protocols. She translates this current medical knowledge into practical applications relevant to the maritime industry.

With a partner working in the maritime sector, Iris also has a strong understanding of daily life at sea. This allows her to connect the STCW medical training standards to real-life scenarios, helping participants not only learn the required procedures but also understand how to act effectively in emergency situations.

Wendy was born and raised in Tholen, a small town in the beautiful province of Zeeland, where she could always be found in and around the local waters. After completing her Maritime Officer training (1994–1998) at the Maritime Institute De Ruyter, she began her career with Wagenborg Shipping in Delfzijl. After several voyages as a maritime officer, she chose to focus on the deck officer side, advancing from third officer to first officer on various ships.

After meeting her future husband, Wendy decided to come ashore and joined Rijkswaterstaat, where she operated bridges and locks for 3.5 years. She was then given the opportunity to become a first aid instructor. After fifteen years working at two other companies, she found a new challenge at DRTC, where she can now combine her two passions: teaching and the water.

At DRTC, Wendy provides training in First Aid, Emergency Response (BHV), and Elementary First Aid (EFA) within Basic Safety. She also delivers part of the GWO courses and assists in other training programs, preparing to teach those independently in the future.

Outside of work, Wendy enjoys reading and practicing judo. She has earned her black belt in the sport and gladly shares her knowledge with others. With the same passion and enthusiasm, she hopes to inspire many participants in her role as an instructor.

Marcel is a true Vlissingen native, deeply connected to the fire service and to firefighting in both the industrial and maritime sectors. After completing his commercial studies, he devoted his career to sharing his knowledge and practical experience at the training center in Vlissingen, DRTC, and the Zeeland Safety Region. To achieve this, he obtained all relevant firefighting diplomas. Since 1999 (initially part-time and later full-time), he has been doing this work with great pleasure and passion. Together with his enthusiastic, skilled, and experienced colleagues, he provides courses in Basic Training/Advanced Fire Fighting as well as refresher courses in firefighting.

In addition, he regularly works on industrial sites to organize and supervise firefighting training sessions. When a client has a gap in their command officer schedule, Marcel steps in there as well. He also works on a project basis with clients to solve more complex issues.

In his free time, Marcel is active as a (core) instructor for the Zeeland Safety Region.

With nearly 20 years of experience as a professional firefighter, Waldo brings a wealth of practical knowledge to DRTC. His career began at the fire department, where he specialized in various disciplines, including firefighting diving, hazardous materials incident response, and shipboard firefighting – a field in which he has become a highly experienced instructor.

Waldo’s passion for the profession goes beyond the fire station: in recent years he has also served as a volunteer firefighter, continuing to apply his expertise to improve safety in his region.

His maritime experience stems from an internship on board a cargo vessel in the Baltic Sea, where he gained valuable insight into life and work at sea – an experience that makes him particularly well-suited to delivering realistic and practice-oriented training in maritime fire and incident response.

With a no-nonsense mentality, a sharp eye for safety, and extensive hands-on experience, Waldo is a reliable and dedicated member of the DRTC team.

Paulien Franken-Rottier lives in beautiful Zeeland with her husband and their two children. Since 2024, she has been a proud member of the De Ruyter Training & Consultancy team, where she works as Training & Customer Support Coordinator. In this role, she supports both participants and colleagues, ensuring that everything related to the courses runs smoothly.

Outside of work, Paulien enjoys watching movies, reading, and especially spending quality time with her family. These moments give her energy, something she gladly brings into her work as well.

Desirée Franke-Paardekooper was born and raised in Vlissingen, where she lives with her husband and two children. Since 2024, she has been part of DRTC as a Customer Support Coordinator.

After six years of service in the Royal Netherlands Navy, where she worked in the logistics sector and travelled extensively, Desirée continued her career in various onshore and offshore companies. Her long-standing interest in the maritime and logistics industry has remained a central focus throughout her professional journey.

At DRTC, no two days are the same. Desirée thrives on organizing, problem-solving, and maintaining direct contact with clients — aspects of her work that give her great energy and satisfaction.

Outside of work, she enjoys spending time with her family. Living close to the coast means she and her children can often be found at the beach during summer. In her spare time, she loves watching series and dining out.

Steven de Vroom is responsible for maintenance and serves as second man during nautical practical exercises.

From 1979 to 1984, Steven studied Maritime Officer with a specialization as deck officer, completing his internship at Jumbo. Although he did not fully complete his task book, he nevertheless chose a career at sea. He started as an ordinary seaman with Dammers van der Heiden, a period he looks back on with great fondness. That joy proved to be lasting: after the takeover by Seatrade, he continued working there as bosun for no less than 35 years.

When the opportunity arose to start a new chapter of his career—at the very place where he had once been involved as a volunteer during the official opening—Steven embraced it wholeheartedly. For more than a year now, he has been working at De Ruyter Training & Consultancy with visible enthusiasm and dedication, bringing his experience and craftsmanship into play as he moves into the last years of his career.

Since 2024, Folker Balk Corea has been working with great enthusiasm at De Ruyter Training & Consultancy as a financial administrator. Over the years, he has gained broad experience in the financial sector, starting his career at ABN AMRO Bank and continuing at a health insurance company and the social services.

What makes his work so interesting is its variety. He enjoys working with numbers, but also finds great satisfaction in solving practical challenges.

Outside of work, Folker has a strong passion for music and sports. These hobbies give him energy and contribute to a healthy work-life balance.

Originally from the Zaan region, Josephine has lived in Zeeland since 2021, where she feels completely at home. She was immediately drawn to the nature, tranquility, and down-to-earth character of the province. She obtained her bachelor’s degree in International Business & Languages in Vlissingen, where her interest in the maritime world grew — partly inspired by her boyfriend, who works as a navigation officer in the merchant navy.

During her studies, she gained experience as a freight forwarder and completed an internship on board a cruise ship, where she enjoyed the interaction with people. For her graduation internship, she worked for a container shipping company, but missed the personal connection that truly energizes her.

After graduating, Josephine knew exactly what she wanted: a position that combines her logistical expertise with her social skills. At DRTC, she found that perfect balance as Planner & Customer Support. She enjoys organizing, creating structure, and supporting both colleagues and clients.

Josephine lives by the Zeeland coast and, in her free time, enjoys sports, cooking, socializing, and taking motorcycle trips with her boyfriend.

Since 1997, Samira Lasfar has been working with great dedication at De Ruyter Training and Consultancy as an administrative assistant. Before joining De Ruyter, she worked for two years at the Dutch Tax and Customs Administration, a period that provided her with valuable experience.

In her current role, she is responsible for a wide range of supporting tasks. She is involved in preparing course materials and ensures that operational processes behind the scenes run smoothly. In addition, she supports the company’s activities in Curaçao, where she is responsible for preparing certificates and carrying out various administrative duties.

What she enjoys most about her work is the interaction with clients and the pleasant collaboration with her colleagues. She takes great satisfaction in working accurately and contributing to customer-orientated service.