Commitment to More Sustainable Solutions
Since the end of 2022, Harrold van der Meer has been serving as ship manager at Stichting Zeilschip Eendracht. With 35 years of experience in the maritime sector—eight of which were spent at sea—Harrold is a technical and operational specialist. After several years in executive roles, he felt ready for a new challenge and a return to where his heart has always been: ship management.
When his position as operational director at Damen came to an end, Harrold began searching for a meaningful opportunity where he could work with people genuinely committed to making a difference and taking a different course. He found that opportunity with the foundation. From his very first day, he has dedicated himself to developing innovative solutions for the maintenance of the Eendracht and the structured deployment of its crew.
Balance is Essential
Harrold draws much inspiration from another of his passions: beekeeping. “In beekeeping, the question of how we treat the Earth is very tangible,” he explains. Passionately, he continues: “The bee year starts with early spring blooms like snowdrops and crocuses. Soon after, willows bloom, followed by fruit trees and acacias. Then come all the other flowers, and in autumn, the bees turn to ivy and other late-blooming plants.”
This ecological balance is crucial. “If the cycle is disrupted—by sudden droughts or higher temperatures due to climate change, for instance—it can lead to disease or colony loss,” Harrold says. “This directly affects the bee population. And the landscape changes too, as pollination is no longer taking place.”
Harrold notes that the same principle applies to maritime organizations. “If one link is missing, the process is disrupted, leading to organizational dysfunction. Every organization must adapt to survive, which means continuously innovating and shifting focus.”
A simple example? “If the Eendracht lacks volunteers, the ship cannot sail, and voyages with partner charities must be postponed or cancelled. That is a shame, because it reduces the social impact we aim to create with our voyages and undermines a sustainable future. At Eendracht, we work together to prevent that.”
“Together with our volunteers, sponsors, and partners, we form a strong chain, allowing us to focus year after year on extraordinary projects aboard. That is why it is so important that everything is interconnected,” Harrold explains.
Maximizing the Cycle
Harrold is naturally practical. He consciously seeks initiatives that are sustainable. As a beekeeper, he applies this approach with care. In addition to honey, he produces hand cream from beeswax, avoiding waste and making the most of everything his bees provide.
He applies the same philosophy at Eendracht, maximizing cycles wherever possible—for example, by thoroughly preparing the ship’s maintenance period upon its return to the Netherlands.
“The choice of shipyard is already very important,” Harrold explains. “We make sure that volunteers can reach the yard easily by public transport, and that the yard is flexible with all the helping hands Eendracht organizes. We also ensure that the right quality contractors are engaged for maintenance—those who also support us by partially or fully sponsoring the work. Onboard, we always work with a small team. We are practical, hands-on, and can see immediate results—and that is what I love.”