Maarten Voskuil on crime in the marina
Now that major seaports are being secured more strictly, illegal networks are seeking opportunities in places where there is less supervision. Rotterdam and Antwerp have long been high on the list of locations where international drug cartels are active.
For years, criminals were able to bring in containers of cocaine relatively easily, bribing port employees or exploiting IT systems. Investigative services are now paying much more attention to this. Criminals are therefore increasingly turning to marinas for their illegal activities.
People there are used to boats coming and going, which makes it easier for criminals to take advantage of the anonymity of recreational boating. Moreover, the registration of visitors is often more limited and informal.
Extra cameras
In recent years, additional cameras have been installed in strategic locations in Jachthaven Biesbosch, both visible and invisible, and a private security service patrols the area at night. The marina's access and control system has also been automated. Furthermore, lighting has been installed throughout the marina to make people feel safe and to reduce the chance of malicious individuals going about their business unseen. Fire extinguishers are located throughout the jetties.
"We decide who gets access and who doesn't," says Maarten Voskuil, Marina Manager at Biesbosch Marina, in a meeting room in the marina office with its distinctive red roof. "My team and I try to be alert to any signs," says Maarten.
"Sometimes there are people walking around who suddenly start taking photos or filming everywhere. When we see that, we always approach them. We speak to them in a friendly manner: 'Can I help you? What are you doing?'
Often, you notice that they already feel caught at that moment. By properly recording these kinds of situations, we can later, if something happens, recognise a face on our camera images and link it to the vehicle someone arrived in.
Then it's simple: pass it on to the police, and they can take it from there."
At present, the Military Police see no concrete evidence that anything is going on here.
Crime is not as bad as it seems
According to him, crime in the marina is not a major problem. There have been no significant incidents in the past year. Two years ago, a number of outboard motors were stolen, but they were quickly recovered.
Maarten has a good relationship with the police. In the off-season, police cars patrol the marina more frequently in the evenings and at night. "When we see a suspicious situation, they come right away," he says. Sometimes people come in who raise questions among the staff.
"Sometimes it's a combination of the boat and the person that makes us doubt. In such cases, we ask the police for advice. This sometimes leads us to decide not to rent out a berth. This can apply to both long-term requests and visitors."
Good contacts
Maarten also has good relations with the Royal Netherlands Marechaussee. A team from the military police visits the marina once every two months on average and focuses primarily on signs of human trafficking. They regularly provide tips that marina staff can look out for.
"At the moment, they see no concrete evidence that anything is going on here, but according to them, a marinalike ours is interesting for reconnaissance trips and testing boats" Maarten explains.
The Royal Netherlands Marechaussee has noticed that migrants are increasingly attempting to cross over to England from small marinas in Zeeland. There they find large numbers of life jackets and food supplies, indications that people are preparing for a crossing. Maarten and his team also receive tips from the investigation services about striking patterns.
"One example is a remarkable group of people who come to try out a boat. They want to stay 'for a month', but then show up every day in different groups. These are situations where you have to be extra vigilant." The police sometimes come by to seize a boat used by criminals and are assisted in this by Maarten and his team. "The last time was two years ago."
The interests of the team and our guests always come first
Maarten Voskuil, 37, has been employed by the Yacht Havens Group since 2017. This British marina operator, with locations in the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, specialises in safe and well-equipped marinas for water sports enthusiasts.
Since its acquisition in 2013, the group has invested significantly in modernisation, safety and guest-oriented facilities at Jachthaven Biesbosch. Maarten started as an all-round employee and progressed through Office Manager and Assistant Manager to become Marina Manager.
Seven permanent staffmembers work at the marina office, supported by eight holiday workers during the high season. Maarten lives in Breda, is married and has two sons aged seven and nine, who both play football at DIA in Teteringen, where he is also on the board. What drives him?
"I work with a relatively small team in a large area that we try to keep beautiful and tidy. I see myself as the link between colleagues and various parties around us, the municipality and local entrepreneurs. I genuinely enjoy the work, so I don't mind stepping in when there's a problem or a job that no one else can do. I just do it. For me, the interests of the team and our guests always come first."
Empty buildings
In recent years, several facilities have been added to the marina, such as a playground and a green archway at the transition from Hotel Biesbosch to restaurant Boeien. Visitors from home and abroad know where to find the marina. The number of visitors is growing steadily: last year there were 2,600. The camperpark is also popular.
Since this year, guests can also do their shopping in a special cupboard at the camper van site. This is handy now that the SPAR has been closed for some time. The bare, deserted and gloomy square with the buildings opposite the Vistaria that have been empty for years is a thorn in the side of Maarten, as it is for many of his fellow villagers. The property is owned by a slumlord who is asking top dollar for it.
"We have tried to buy it in recent years, but unfortunately we were unable to reach an agreement." Perhaps the new regulation from the municipality of Drimmelen, which aims to combat vacancy, can offer a solution, but that still needs to be investigated.
Written by: Adriaan van Hooijdonk
Photos taken by: Sander Horsthuis