Meet the Chief Engineer

Chief Engineer Frank de Vries

Holland America Line veteran Frank de Vries will serve as Eurodam’s chief engineer when the ship debuts next July. The Dutchman, who hails from Ysselmuiden, the Netherlands, has been stationed at the Fincantieri shipyard since April 2007 as part of the supervisory team overseeing the construction and outfitting of the vessel.

His primary role is to make sure that all of the specifications are being met. Additionally, de Vries is there to make sure that all of the spare parts are ordered and stored on board; crew are being trained on new equipment and by the time of delivery they are familiar with the ship’s technical systems and layout and are able to safely operate it.

As chief engineer of Eurodam, de Vries will oversee a team of approximately 65 officers, petty-officers and crew.

After graduating from the Willem Barentsz Maritime Institute, de Vries joined Holland America Line’s Statendam in 1979 as an apprentice engineer officer. He progressed through the ranks and was named chief engineer of the previous Westerdam in 1992.

De Vries met his wife, Hope, in 1986 aboard Rotterdam, where she was a ship’s nurse. She has since retired and now sails full-time as a “spouse on board.” When not on board, the couple enjoys sailing, biking and cooking. They also spend part of their time in Hope’s native Savannah, Ga.