Meet Chief Officer Andre van Schoonhoven

Chief Officer Andre van Schoonhoven

As chief officer aboard Eurodam, Andre van Schoonhoven is responsible for all of the safety and lifesaving systems on board, as well as developing testing and maintenance instructions for each system.

Van Schoonhoven also orders all of the spare parts for maintenance of the safety and lifesaving systems, assists in planning Eurodam’s bridge layout, looks after the mooring decks and paint store, implements the evacuation plan in the event of an emergency, oversees the lifesaving and firefighting plans, and as crew teams arrive at the ship he trains them in safety, security and lifesaving.

During Eurodam’s outfitting, van Schoonhoven will order safety equipment like fire extinguishers, lifejackets, personal protective equipment for all three on-board departments and all of the nautical and security equipment needed for gangway and tender operations.

Born in Harlingen, a small port city on the north coast of the Netherlands, van Schoonhoven attended nautical college on the island of Terschelling. In 1988 he joined Holland America Line on Rotterdam, and from there he sailed mainly on Nieuw Amsterdam and Noordam, where he met his wife, Claudine, who was working in the front office.

In 2000, van Schoonhoven got his first assignment as chief officer on Wind Surf, and eventually he became part of the inaugural team of Prinsendam when the ship transferred to the line in 2002.

Van Schoonhoven told ENB that he is excited and honored to be part of Eurodam’s newbuild team and is confident the ship will exceed all expectations.

He and Claudine reside in Pasig City, Metro Manila, Philippines — Claudine’s home country — with their three sons: Alexander, 13, Willem, 9, and Lucas, 3.