The delegation, consisting of Hoofd Ingenieur Directeur, Willy Dekker, Hoofd afdeling Netwerkontwikkeling en projecten, Sjan Arts, Districthoofd waterdistrict Noordzee and Caribisch Nederland, Joris Wiers, Senior Advisor Enforcement, Kees van Belzen and Senior Advisor Caribisch Nederland, André Eversdijk, was introduced to the island. Central in the conversations was the collaboration between Rijkswaterstaat and Saba, and getting a better understanding of the local context.
Together with the Head of Infrastructural and Spatial Development, Zelda Meeuwsen, and Project Director of Saba’s Black Rocks Harbor Project, Peter Biemond, the delegation learned more about the plans for, and current progress of, the new harbor. They also visited the site where work is taking place to realize the new harbor.
Sanne Mooij, project leader on water quality at the Saba Conservation Foundation (SCF) for RWS through the Wageningen Marine Research, explained the work SCF does and how the project is managed. Mooij highlighted the size of the Saba Bank and the importance of protecting it.
During conversation with the Head of Public Order and Safety, Walle Bos and Advisor on Crisis Management, Shalini Bisram, the role and responsibilities of RWS on the BES islands were discussed. RWS, being the executive organization of the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management, works closely together with the local authorities of the BES islands in the setup and organization of maritime disaster management. The activities include supplying disaster management materials and providing education, training and practice to people involved with maritime disaster management. For this, RWS also closely works together with, amongst others, Saba’s Harbor Master, Travis Johnson. The work visit of the delegation from Rijkswaterstaat coincided with the Oil Spill Workshop on Sint Eustatius in which Saba also participated.
