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NEWS
ISSA and Ship Supply

Marines row from Rotterdam to London

in fundraising challenge

M
ore than 100 Dutch marines rowed from Rotterdam sloops, nautical clothing company Helly Hansen and Magnum
to London to celebrate the 350th anniversary of the Boots who provided the specialist gear. A lot of maritime-

founding of the Korps Mariners (Royal Netherlandsbased organisations sponsored or donated substantially

Marine Corps) in 1665.to support, including Van Oord, Iskes, Alpha Marine
The Dutch Marine’s Rowing Challenge (DMRC) began atEquipment, Damen, Smit Salvage, STG, International Lashing

Rotterdam’s Erasmus Bridge on 5th September and inished at Service, MRC, Lumat, Syntrex, Multraship, MSS Defence,
London Tower’s Bridge a week later.and,Mermaid international.

The 120 former and current marines then took part in the The challenge was also held to raise money for marines who
34km Great River Race on the Thames that is often described have been left disabled or suffer with mental health illnesses

as London’s River Marathon and attracts 330 crews annually like Post Traumatic Stress Disorder
from across the globe.In the UK, the Royal Marines and London’s port authorities

The fundraising project was the brainchild of former supported the project, which included a visit from the huge
Dutch marine Jan Van Der Werken who is now the Chairman Dutch Navy landing craft Johan de Witt that escorted the nine

of the DMRC.sloops across the Channel.
The marines spent the last two years training at various
And the challenge has been deemed a huge success with
hopes for another event in 2017.locations throughout the Netherlands. They were also featured

DMRC member Pedro Slagmolen, of ship supplier Mermaid in a specialist documentary ilm team from Omroep Max and
International, said: “Originally it was an idea from the Chairman RTV Rijnmond covered the challenge.

Jan Van De Werken. He wanted to do something for the 350th The group rowed from Rotterdam to London via
anniversary. And it was such a success, we are now looking to Vissingen, which is very important to the marines because it

hold another challenge in 2017. We received so much support is the birthplace of Admiral Michael De Ruijter who was the
in terms of sponsorship and coverage from the media, we just Commander of the Dutch leet during a raid on the Medway in

felt we had to build on that.”1667. This became known as a famous victory for the Dutch
The DMRC has received huge support in the Netherlands Marine Corps. And the Admiral’s 12th generation grandson

and is backed by the Royal Dutch Navy, celebrities, businesses, Frits De Ruijter De Wildt sailed with the group as one its VIPs.
Dutch provinces, Marine Corps Commander General Richard Mr Slagmolen added: “Within two years we made happen

Opelaar and Rotterdam Mayor Ahmed Aboutaleb.what others said would not be possible. Is this the end? No. We

Businesses and groups that sponsored the challenge are now busy working on another challenge in 2017.” u
included The province of Zeeland who paid for the irst threeKeep updated by going to www.dmrc.nl

The SHIP Supplier Issue 67 2015 37