The Crew Perspective: Behind the ReCraft of Awatea
The 45-metre Hakvoort Awatea and her crew have been with Balk Shipyard since October, undergoing an extensive refit.
For Dutch-built yachts, returning to the Netherlands has distinct advantages, from sourcing original parts to accessing the craftsmen who originally built them. But a successful refit isn’t just about the yacht; crew welfare is equally important.
We caught up with Chief Stewardess Chloë Norman to hear about her experience that makes a refit in the Netherlands worthwhile for both vessel and crew.
How has your experience been working with the team at Balk Shipyard?
Being at Balk Shipyard for a refit has been better than I could have imagined, in terms of quality and also with the way they work. The team is quick, attentive and solution-oriented.
Whenever a subcontractor is involved, it’s someone the yard has worked with before, and you can tell they have strong, trusted relationships. That trust carries through. It’s a great community here at Balk Shipyard.
How has the project management and communication been?
The team keeps us involved and informed at every step, which I think is crucial. Even though I focus mainly on the interior, communication across all areas of the project is excellent. The captains manage much of it, and from what I can see, the project managers are very on top of it.
This is my first large-scale refit as head of department, and it’s definitely more complex than I anticipated. While it can be chaotic, the shipyard and its team make everything as smooth as possible.
What have been some of the highlights of choosing the Netherlands for a refit?
The quality of work is exceptional. On a Dutch-built yacht, it’s invaluable to be in the Netherlands for sourcing parts and fixing smaller items onboard. For example, I had been trying for months to find the right wine fridges in the U.S. It was impossible. Here, I sent one email, and they were ordered within 30 minutes.
We also had ongoing issues with one of our doors. Many people had tried to resolve it before, but no one could identify the problem. Once I mentioned it at the yard, it was fixed within minutes after we were hauled out of the water. That local knowledge is invaluable, and I’ve found components just generally easier to source here.
Has Balk Shipyard’s expertise resulted in any cost savings?
A great example is with our blinds. The system is about 18 years old, and some of the smaller components need replacing. In the U.S., our only option was to remove the complete set, which wasn’t cheap.
Balk’s team knew the original installers personally and were able to source the necessary parts pretty quickly. This meant we could fix these smaller issues without having to waste what was otherwise a perfectly decent set of blinds.
How would you describe the level of care and attention Balk Shipyard has shown to the crew?
They truly put the crew first. The houses we stayed in are in Kampen, a beautiful canal town just 30 minutes from the yard, with plenty to do. And the team always share with us any upcoming events and restaurant recommendations. I feel that I’ve managed to get a good chance to experience the Dutch culture.
For example, when we first arrived, the project managers took us for lunch in Urk. We walked to what looked like the middle of nowhere and found a small workshop that had been converted into a restaurant. It was run by one man, welding in the corner, preparing incredible food. A truly unique experience.
Have you managed to travel much during this refit period?
We’ve found the Netherlands to be a great hub. It’s well-connected and easy to take weekend trips to other European cities. Amsterdam and Utrecht are really beautiful, as is the rest of Europe. We’ve managed to visit Bruges and Vienna. Both brilliant trips.
And when my family came to visit me, the management at Balk Shipyard put me in contact with some of their friends who offer boat tours, to give us a real, authentic experience of the city.
