Traditional Boat Show

Visiting the Traditional Boat Show in Den Helder

Where heritage, community and ocean care meet

On Sunday November 9th, we travelled north — Maarten, Fabiènne and Josien — to Den Helder for the Traditionele Schepenbeurs, the annual gathering of traditional vessels and the people who love them. The location alone already felt like stepping into a story: an old shipyard hall at Willemsoord filled with wooden masts, coils of rope, the smell of tar, piles of weathered nautical books, tools built to last, and an entire community connected by the ocean.

It’s one of those places where generations of sea people come together… and where we happily helped lower the average age just a little.

A Sunday dedicated to “Sustainability under Sail”

This year’s Sunday program was hosted by the Enkhuizer Zeevaartschool and Fair Winds Collective, and the theme couldn’t have been more aligned with our mission: Sustainability under Sail.

We were invited to open the day with our story — how our microplastic research works, how the vessels we collaborate with help collect samples, and how all that data turns into insights on our dashboard. About 40 people joined: captains, students, shipbuilders, sailors, curious visitors.

The energy in the room was warm and attentive. People asked thoughtful, sharp questions, shared ideas, and showed real interest in the science behind what we do. These moments remind us why we keep pushing forward.

And we weren’t the only ones sharing inspiration:

• Dijkstra Naval Architects presented their vision for futureproof yacht design — including vessels that partly generate their own energy.
• The captain of the Clipper Stad Amsterdam talked about their major refit and the decisions that turned the ship into one of the greenest passenger vessels in the world. Hearing the “why” behind every technical choice was fascinating.
• Raybel Charters closed the day with a powerful talk on wind-powered cargo. Rum, chocolate, coffee — all moved across the ocean by sail. Not nostalgia, but a real and scalable alternative.

The sessions reminded us how many people are working toward a cleaner, fairer maritime future — each in their own way. It’s motivating to feel part of something so much bigger.

Exploring the show (and the harbour)

After our talk we wandered through the exhibition. Rows of stands showcased handmade tools, sailing gear, beautifully bound books, and equipment for restoring traditional vessels. Everywhere we walked, we felt the same shared spark — craftsmanship, curiosity, and deep care for the sea.

Outside, the harbour was just as inspiring. We visited Tres Hombres, still crossing oceans without an engine, and the old Texel lightship, now a floating museum. Both vessels carry decades of stories, and you can feel that the moment you step aboard.

Reconnecting, reflecting, returning inspired

A highlight of the day was reconnecting with our friends from Fair Winds Collective — the last time we saw each other was during SAIL Amsterdam in August. A big thank you to Peggy and to Cosmo from the Enkhuizer Zeevaartschool for inviting us and bringing this community together in such a meaningful place.

We left Den Helder with notebooks full of ideas — new ways to grow our research, improve our dashboard, and strengthen our partnerships. Events like this recharge us. They remind us how important it is to talk, share, question, and collaborate.

With a renewed sense of purpose, we travelled home — grateful, inspired, and motivated to keep doing the work that matters, towards healthier oceans and cleaner

Also excited? Check out these expeditions!

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