“If you don't sail with Bridgescout®, you're falling behind”
Sebastiaan Jansen knew what he wanted at a young age. At twelve, he went to the shipping boarding school in Rotterdam, where he completed the deckhand training. After several years of sailing, he finished his studies to become a maritime officer and worked at companies such as Amasus. Yet, he eventually opted for inland shipping. “I didn't want to be away from home for three months at a time. Inland shipping fits my life better.”
Since 2022, Sebastiaan has been sailing on the Dallas, a Unibarge vessel. When he came aboard, Bridgescout® was already installed. And ever since, the system has been indispensable to him. “On the German canals, you sometimes have only a few centimeters of clearance. That's when Bridgescout® is essential. It watches with you – literally. If I need to lower the vessel, I see it immediately. Of course, I still stick my head out the window now and then, but this system simply provides much more certainty.”
A tool, not a takeover
Sebastiaan is the first to say that he knows what he's doing. “I've never had a collision, and I'd like to keep it that way. I rely on experience, knowledge, and instinct. But an extra pair of eyes is never a bad thing.” The beauty of Bridgescout® is that you don't have to do anything with it. “You just look at the screen, and that's enough. Red light and an audible signal? Then you know: pay attention for a moment. It doesn't need to be more than that.”
Installation and Certification: “Arranged within half an hour”
In his very first week on board, Sebastiaan had to deal with the system's annual inspection. “Put in a new sensor, check everything, sign, and done. About half an hour of work. But it's important: for the authority and for yourself.”
He has since undergone the inspection twice. “You notice: if someone knows what they're doing, it can go smoothly. And then you can confidently go under those bridges again.”
Safety as a shared responsibility
For Sebastiaan, Bridgescout® is not just a piece of technology, but a logical step in an industry that is becoming increasingly professional. “If you're not sailing with it, you're falling behind. We all have a responsibility. There have been accidents recently where a wheelhouse was taken off. I think: there was no Bridgescout on board then. You can't completely exclude human error, but you can mitigate it. Bridgescout® ensures that safety is guaranteed.”
From experienced captains to new crew members: Bridgescout® gives every inland waterway skipper extra peace of mind and confidence. Curious how it can support your team? Contact us via info@sensormaritime.com of bel +31 (0)73 220 0454. We're happy to help.