Born and raised in the Netherlands in the province of Friesland. Friesland is know world wide for its many beautiful lakes, canals, windmills and tulips. The Dutch have been renowned boat builders for many centuries. Even Donald Trump realized this and had his mega yacht built in Friesland. Boating is in my blood. For many generations my family made a living on the water, transporting goods on so called "skutsjes" small cargo vessels with flat bottoms and lee boards or as fishermen on the North Sea.

Even my last name “Vandermeer” reflects my association with the water. Literally translated it means “of the lake” I am continuing this tradition by being a certified marine surveyor and boat builder in the sailing capital of the world, Pamlico Sound in North Carolina

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Boat building experience;  

Built my own 21ft steel hulled sailboat, including all rigging, such as mast and boom. 33ft Power Boat - welded steel hull, installed 65 HP Diesel engine, installed complete electrical systems.  Rebuilt an Irwin 38ft Sailboat, including; minor fiber glass repair, painting both inside and out. Overhauled the 4-107 Westerbeke Diesel, the electrical systems and replaced the hot and cold water systems. Other experience includes, anchor making, Deckhand on a 1000 ton cargo vessel, plus the honor of winning several trophies in sailing regattas 

Sailing Experience

During my youth in Friesland I sailed many  Dutch sailing barges known as "skutjes".These boats were anywhere between 48 to 72 ft long and carried up to 1600 square feet of sail.  These trips included the great lakes of the Netherlands, canals, rivers. In addition, I sailed family boats on the North Sea. In this country,  I sailed in and around the Gulf of Maine, and now enjoy my time here in the Carolinas.  In all, I have had over 35 years experience on the water, in both Europe and the USA.  

Department of Safety, Marine Patrol.

Received 120 hours of training at the New Hampshire part time Police Officer Academy Marine Patrol Police Officer. Patrolled the lakes and rivers in New Hampshire during the summer months. Inspected boats and gave safety instructions

Sailing School Instructor/Manager

Managed all aspects of a Sailing school. Hired new sailing instructors, and verified their skills.  Inspected all sailboats daily, for safe operations and Dutch Coast Guard compliance.  Taught sailing to international students ranging from beginners to advanced.  Taught both theoretical and practical sailing, emphasizing safety and fun.  This included most common knots and splices, weather, and basic navigation

Poly Technical Institute, Drachten, the Netherlands                                      1971-1975

B.S., Electrical Engineering

Boatwise; 

100 Ton US Merchant Marine Officer (USCG)

US Surveyors Association, Diploma Marine Surveying, US Master Marine Surveyor

Fishing Vessel Qulification                                   

Open Water Diver; 

PADI Certified

Fluent in English, Dutch, German and Frisian

Holds dual-citizenship status for the United States of America and the Netherlands.

The first boat I built and inspected.

STRAIGHT TALK ABOUT YOUR MARINE SURVEYOR

WE AT US SURVEYORS ASSOCIATION ARE COMMITTED TO EXCELLENCE
AND PROFESSIONALISM IN THE MARINE SURVEYING BUSINESS. PLEASE
TAKE A MOMENT TO REVIEW THE FOLLOWING FACTS ABOUT YOUR MARINE SURVEYOR AND THE MARINE SURVEYING PROFESSION.

If you are in the market for a used boat, or if you are in the market for
insurance coverage for a boat you own, you should know that if the
vessel is over two years old, or has never had a marine survey, then you
will be required to provide your finance company or your insurance
company with a current marine survey.
The facts ...

Marine Surveyors may be self-employed, which is generally the case,
or some may work for a marine surveyor group. In all cases, the
survey report is the responsibility of the marine surveyor.
Marine surveyors use many credentials, letters, and terms such as
"Accredited "Certified" and "Qualified." No one organization is in
charge of Marine Surveyors. The US Coast Guard does not approve or
certify Marine Surveyors. At best these terms represent training and
certification by private organizations that may claim to be the "best
one."

Your insurance company or underwriter cannot require you to use a
certain surveyor or a surveyor who is a member of a certain
organization. This would be restriction of trade, interference with
business and in some cases unfair "blackballing." The decision to hire
a marine surveyor is yours. Certain organizations keep a "vanity" list
of approved surveyors which the surveyor has paid to be included in.
You should be aware that such a list does not guarantee the surveyor's
qualifications. Organizations that tell you a marine surveyor is not
"qualified" because he or she is not on their list have a conflict of
interest in doing so. You should be suspicious of the relationship
between your company and the surveyor especially if YOU are buying a
boat that needs work. Your surveyor should be "independently
qualified. "

Always call the organization that a surveyor claims to be a member of
and check for current membership dues, current certifications.

Ask for your surveyor's resume.

Length of time in surveying business does not always guarantee a
qualified surveyor, however, a surveyor who claims to have been in the
boating business or some other related boating experience field for at
least two years is a good rule of thumb.

Always make sure your surveyor will perform his inspections, analysis
and reports based on American Boat and Yacht Council (ABYC),
National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) and US Coast Guard safety
and inspection guidelines and standards. These non-profit
organizations are the benchmark of a good Marine Surveyor.

In addition to the above" non-profit organizations, there are three
major surveying organizations. NONE are better than any of the
others. EACH ONE has its own set of qualifications and ALL are highly
competitive for your business. While we hope you choose a Navtech
US Surveyors Association qualified member, you are under no
obligation to hire based on a marine surveyor's membership in a
private organization

Whether you are a first time boatowner or experienced mariner,
insurance underwriters and lenders would like to see you do the
following to play your part in reducing your risk and Joss:

1. Inspect, or have your boat inspected by a qualified marine mechanic
at least twice a year and immediately upon the advice of your surveyor.
2. Repair and replace any defective equipment properly as recommended
by your surveyor.
3. Install theft prevention devices on all electronics, engines, outdrives,
trailer hitches.
4. Install alarm systems on your boat for high bilge water levels and
cabin intrusion, theft, fire, smoke. Always keep your boat in a safe area.
5. Always follow responsible safe boating practices, PFD's, Rules of the
Road, speed limits, no wake zones, safe refueling practices.