Ocean stories with the Eendracht: ship’s doctor Annelies

Dieuwke de Jong is a photographer and lawyer. As a photographer, she made an Atlantic crossing on the Eendracht. For Zeilhelden, she tells the crew’s stories in images and text. This time: ship’s doctor Annelies.

“All my life I have loved sailing. When I was young, my parents had a flat-bottomed boat on which we sailed across Biesbosch and later I learnt sea sailing at my parents-in-law’s house. With my family and children, I also sailed across the sea and we made a crossing to England.

I had a neighbour who was a helmsman on the Eendracht. He told me that you could also sail with him as a doctor. At that time, I had young children and it didn’t fit into my life, but I always remembered it. Later, I had a colleague who had also sailed as a doctor and so I came into contact with it again. Then I did have room for it and went sailing with him.

No news about Trump

My first trip was on the North Sea. I really liked that. For me, the Eendracht represents two things: the water, of course, but also the group of volunteers on board. I love being on the water, but above all I enjoy the social aspect on board. The atmosphere is positive and the people are very nice. You really depend on each other. I also really enjoy being cut off from the hustle and bustle of everyday life. When Trump was first elected, I was also on board. Only weeks later we heard that news, which was then relayed over the radio between all the boats. It is wonderful to be able to take a break from the rush.

My best experience was the crossing from Cape Verde to Suriname. We were sailing on a southerly course around Christmas, very relaxed. You are stuck with each other for three weeks with no contact with the outside world, just like now on this crossing. It really gave a school trip feeling. We played a murder game and had a great time together.

Minor accidents

Medically, I fortunately did not experience many serious things on board. It’s mostly just accidents, people who have had a fall, who have cut themselves, who are seasick or just not feeling well. If something serious does happen, you can receive remote assistance from a Radio Medical Doctor. Suppose someone has appendicitis, you can perform an operation that way. That doctor then tells you, for example, how to cut. I didn’t experience all that, the excitement on board is more in weather conditions.

The most exciting thing I experienced myself was a storm with wind force 10, near Spain. It was quite rough, people had to help each other to get into the galley. I took part in the watches and to be at the helm during such a storm is very special.
Every year, I sail along for about three weeks. This varies from shorter trips across the North Sea to longer trips across the Caribbean. The age limit for crew is 72 years, so I can happily sail along for several more years!”

Source: sailing heroes
More pictures of Dieuwke de Jong accompanying this article on Zeilhelden.

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