References

Mr. Wenniger SwetsODV Bridgeman
Since 2004, I, Bouwe J.M. Wenniger, have been employed by SwetsODV as of the age of 57. I started as a bridgeman on the Juliana Bridge, where I worked with great and motivated colleagues all the time. I was quickly shown the ropes at the Purmerend Lock, at the Willem Lock in Amsterdam, where they use the IVS 90 shipping registration system, and at the Cruquius Bridge in Haarlem of which the latter has two remotely controlled bridges. Every object has its own unique aspect. As I used to work in inland navigation many former colleagues have already passed me by, which I always enjoy. Two years ago I returned to navigation myself; as a captain on the museum boat Ijveer 13 from Amsterdam Central Station to Nieuwendam, at the Connexxion Ferry Service, on the Anna lyse 2 from Muiden to Pampus, and on the Juliana Ferry de Zaan. I highly appreciate the variety in my work, which SwetsODV can offer me week after week and the contact with former colleagues from inland shipping.

Municipality of De Ronde Venen Client of SwetsODV
For the past three years, SwetsODV has takes care of the full bridge operation for the municipality of De Ronde Venen. Throughout the year, the bridges in the villages of Vinkeveen, Wilnis and Mijdrecht are manned by employees of SwetsODV. Alderman Jacques Dekker (Tourism and Recreation): as a municipality we find it important that the bridge operators are customer-friendly to the people passing by and that the workforce is organised well. SwetsODV is a reliable party in this and the employees know their trade. We have therefore been working together with this organisation to our full satisfaction."

Cees ten Veen SwetsODV Bridgeman/Lockkeeper
Water is what I really enjoy; I live close to the water and I am surrounded with it every day during my work! I am Cees ten Veen. I started in 2000 as a bridgeman and lockkeeper at ODV in Almere, which has been merged into SwetsODV. In the more than 8 years that I have been working, I have operated many bridges and locks. For a few provinces, the Ministry of Waterways and Public Works, and a number of municipalities. But I have also worked on a Connexxion ferry. It's the variety that SwetsODV can offer me that I find attractive and makes my work fun and varied. Sometimes I have to give instructions to people sailing recreational boats or professional boats after I have opened a lock or bridge, and other times I make sure that the traffic is controlled well so that every party is served within a limited time and to their full satisfaction. It's a job with different aspects, daily challenges. I get great satisfaction out of this work and I am happy that I came across it. Who knows, maybe we will see each other on one of our country's beautiful waterways."
Cees ten Veen