Marine pilot, adviser and offshore project manager

Broadly, there are four kinds of assignments: on-board pilotage, project management, guidance on law and regulation, and policy advice. It may be an exceptional marine operation that calls for an extra pair of experienced eyes on the bridge, a project where planning, safety and stakeholder interests come together, translating new rules into practice for your vessel or organisation, or policy work that also proves workable on the water. I work for ship owners, agents, offshore operators, port authorities and policy departments, for both short, well-defined engagements and longer-term involvement. An initial conversation is always without obligation: together we map out what you need, whether it fits my availability and what result you are looking for. Only after that do I put a concrete proposal in front of you. You know in advance exactly where you stand and what you are getting. That prevents an assignment from starting on the wrong footing and needing a course correction later on.

My home ground is the North Sea and the Dutch ports; that is where most of my experience was built up and where new work usually sits closest at hand. Beyond that, I am available throughout Europe and, by arrangement, further afield. I have worked on international operations and am used to different vessel types, cargoes and working practices on board and in port environments. For assignments outside the North Sea region, we agree in advance on travel time, logistics and planning, so the assignment starts well prepared and no surprises arise along the way. I work in Dutch and English, both on board and in project meetings and written advice. For longer engagements abroad, we fix scheduling and availability up front, so you know where you stand and my involvement fits neatly into your own operational planning. When you are ready to discuss it, I am happy to think along about the most suitable period and approach.

New assignments can be scheduled from November 2026. From that point on, the diary is built around the work in hand: some weeks are fully taken up by a marine operation or a project, while others leave room for short engagements, advisory work or consultations. For longer project work it is wise to reserve well in advance, so I can plan around it. For shorter, more urgent assignments it is sometimes possible to step in at short notice; that depends on what is running at the time. The most reliable route is to send me your requirement and period directly: you will quickly hear where I am, what space is available and which start date is realistic. That way you avoid surprises and we can plan the engagement properly from the very beginning, with clear expectations on both sides. If needed, we will agree on two scenarios: your preferred start date and a workable alternative.

You work directly with Peter de Vries. There is no intermediate layer of account managers or coordinators between your question and the work itself: the person you book and make agreements with is the same person who goes on board or leads the project. That keeps the lines short and accountability clear. Where an assignment needs more capacity or a specific expertise, I join your existing team or bring in specialist partners in consultation with you. Such choices are always discussed and agreed in advance, so you know exactly who is involved in your assignment and under whose responsibility they work. Whatever the arrangement, you keep one point of contact: I remain accountable for the substance, the coordination and the reporting. In that way you get the strength of a small, experienced team without the overhead of a large firm. Your question reaches me directly, and the answer comes from me, without steps in between.

Yes, that is explicitly part of the offer. Sometimes a marine operation calls for a few days of extra nautical guidance: an unusual move, a berth adjustment, a heavy lift or a crossing your own crew has no experience with yet. Short engagements are open for discussion alongside longer project work of weeks or months. What we always cover beforehand: the nature and duration of the operation, the preparation required (much of good pilotage lies in the preparation), the logistics of travel to and from the vessel, and the balance between your own crew and my role on the bridge. Agreeing that in advance means everyone on board knows where they stand. A short engagement does not mean the preparation is cut short; the quality of the setup largely determines how smoothly the operation itself runs on the day. That is why we discuss a short engagement just as carefully as a longer assignment, however brief its duration.

The rate depends on several factors: the duration of the assignment, the location and the travel involved, the level of responsibility I carry, and the preparation needed before the work starts. Short engagements on board are weighed differently from a longer project role or an advisory assignment that mostly takes place at a desk. You receive a clear written quotation in advance stating what you get, for what period and on what terms. Travel and accommodation costs are named up front, so you are never left with surprises afterwards. That is what matters most: you know in advance what the engagement costs and what it delivers, with no hidden charges surfacing later. Would you like an indication for your specific situation? Request a rate or get in touch directly, and we will discuss the setup and the rate that goes with it. That gives you a reliable basis for your own budget, so you can prepare your assignment with confidence.

That depends on two things: my availability at the time of your enquiry and the preparation the assignment requires. A short, well-defined engagement can sometimes start within a few weeks, especially when the preparation is limited and there is room in the schedule. For longer project work or an assignment that demands substantial preparation — for instance an exceptional marine operation requiring a risk assessment and a lead-in period beforehand — we need to start planning earlier, because the quality of the preparation directly determines the outcome. The most reliable way to find out: get in touch directly and mention your requirement, the preferred period and the size of the assignment. You will quickly hear what is realistic and which start date we can lock in. That way you stay in control of your own planning, and we both know exactly where we stand. If that date does not suit you, we will look together at an alternative that does.