2025-04-25
The passion for tugs has run through the Van Laken family's veins for four generations. We spoke with Patrick and his son Mathias, who represent the next generation of a family deeply rooted in the port.
Patrick: "The Van Lakens are traditionally bargemasters. Our family was born on the water After my father’s birth, my grandparents went ashore. My grandmother was afraid of water. Frans, my grandfather, then became a captain on a tug. That marked the start of his fascination with tugs. He passed that passion down to the next generations."
Patrick: “Sailing a tug requires a great deal of agility. A single incorrect manoeuvre can result in the vessel colliding with the shore or a bridge."
Mathias: "My passion started as a young boy when I was lucky enough to sail on a tug at night with my uncle. I can still picture the many lights from the tank installations as we passed them. They resembled small towns."
The camaraderie among colleagues is fantastic. I hope to remain here until I retire.
Patrick: "I have an engineering degree. In just two years, I worked my way up to ship's engineer on a hopper. On a tug, that took 15 years."
Mathias: “Originally, I didn't want to work in the port at all. What I saw looked pretty old-fashioned, and that pushed me to start studying metalworking. Later on, I developed a taste for it after hearing stories from my parents and friends. I was able to start as boat man at the locks. Today, I am port authority supervisor. Incidentally, the port has since become a very modern environment."
Patrick: “Operating a tug used to be a lot more dangerous. These vessels used to be equipped with ordinary propellers. Turbulence generated by the propellers often made the vessel list, heightening the danger of capsizing. Today's vessels are much safer. There is now a much stronger emphasis on personal safety, with protective gear such as helmets, high-visibility jackets, and life jackets becoming standard. That wasn’t the case in the past."
Mathias: “The hazardous nature of the work also led to noticeably rougher interactions among the crew. My father once took a pie to the head for repeating the same mistake a few times. That wouldn't happen today. Today we still communicate straightforwardly, but respectfully."
Mathias: "Yes, the camaraderie among colleagues is fantastic. I hope to remain here until I retire."
Patrick: "When my father asked me that question, I gave the exact same answer."
Mathias: “Ik wil niets pushen, maar als mijn kinderen een beetje van mijn genen meekrijgen, is de kans reëel dat ze op een sleepboot terechtkomen.”
Patrick: “En anders zal den bompa wel een handje helpen (lacht).”
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