Damen prepares for vessel-to-museum conversion

Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam has received the 56-m replica sailing ship Batavia for a preservation project that will see the vessel permanently removed from the water and displayed ashore at Museum Batavialand in Lelystad.

The replica, built between 1985 and 1995 using traditional Dutch shipbuilding techniques, arrived at the yard on September 19th. Damen said the vessel will be positioned in Dock 4, the same dock from which it was launched in 1995, and lowered into a purpose-built steel cradle constructed by sister company Niron Staal.

The cradle, weighing around 90 tonnes, was fabricated over two months and fitted with timber supports by the museum to provide a cushioned landing for the vessel. Damen said the operation required one of the Netherlands' few docks capable of handling the combined draught of the vessel and transport pontoon.

Before docking, volunteers will remove lead ballast carried aboard the ship while afloat. Once secured in the cradle, the vessel will be transported back to Lelystad, where it is scheduled to be moved ashore on October 1st using self-propelled modular transporters.

Damen Shiprepair Amsterdam commercial manager Paul van de Craats said the project would help preserve an important example of Dutch maritime heritage while highlighting the role of traditional and modern shipbuilding skills. He said many yard employees retained a connection to the vessel's original launch and were involved in the current operation.