When you say Coast Guard, you think of rescue operations at sea. But the organization does more. The Coast Guard is ready 24 hours a day for assistance, crisis management, enforcement, and maritime security in the North Sea. This is done from the Coast Guard Centre in Den Helder. From here, deployments at sea are coordinated.
Sjaco Pas (59) from Julianadorp has worked for the Coast Guard for thirty years and knows the organization inside and out.
Safety in the North Sea
“We take action every day for safety on the North Sea,” he says. The Coast Guard rescues people in distress, monitors compliance with regulations, and detects criminal activities. The goal is clear: the North Sea must be safe for people, animals, and nature.
Career
Sjaco has always worked in the nautical world. He started with the Royal Netherlands Navy, attended Maritime Academy in Den Helder, and subsequently sailed in the merchant navy. Via IJmuiden, he ended up at the Coast Guard. Since 2001, he has worked at the Coast Guard Centre in Den Helder. He started in the operational centre, the beating heart of the organization.
Control room
The operational center serves as both a control room and a coordination point. Emergency calls are received here, aircraft are directed, and search and rescue operations are initiated. Shipping is also informed here. The control room is staffed 24/7. “When an emergency call comes in, every second counts,” he says. Decisions made here have a direct effect at sea.
To collaborate
The Coast Guard works closely with partners, such as the Royal Netherlands Lifeboat Society (KNRM). In the event of a distress call, the Coast Guard can alert lifeboats in addition to the Coast Guard helicopter and/or Coast Guard aircraft. The KNRM deploys from stations along the coast and inland waterways, while the Coast Guard coordinates the operation from Den Helder. “They go out on the water, we ensure everything is correct.”
Nautical management
After a few years in the control room, Sjaco became Head of Nautical Management. The North Sea is one of the busiest seas in the world. Transport, events, research, pipelines, and wind farms all require space. “We ensure safe and smooth shipping traffic,” he states.
New ships
Currently, he is a North Sea policy advisor and involved in the procurement of new vessels. In the second half of this year, the Coast Guard will receive a new enforcement vessel: the Enforcer. “It is getting increasingly busy at sea. With this ship, we can enforce regulations better and be more visible,” Sjaco indicates. That also has a preventative effect.
Staff expansion
The organization is growing along with developments at sea. Currently, more than 140 people work there. Early next year, the Coast Guard will move to the new Coast Guard Centre at the Moorman Bridge. A new location in Den Helder, where the 40th anniversary will be celebrated in 2027, located in the city where daily operations are conducted for safety in the North Sea.
Working for the Coast Guard
Whether you start working in the control room or in the office: as a Coast Guard employee, you make a difference every day. You not only ensure today's safety but also help build the maritime world of tomorrow. What do you need? A curious mind, a healthy dose of responsibility, and the drive to make a real difference. From us, you will receive training, the right tools, and the confidence to do your work with pride. Ready to set course for the Coast Guard?
Look at www.werkenbijdekustwacht.nl for vacancies at the Coast Guard
