‘School at Sea’ returned home after six months
On 18 October 2025, the three-masted Thalassa left Harlingen for a six-month voyage to the Caribbean, among other destinations. On Saturday, the barkentine returned to Den Helder.
On the quay in Den Helder, the 36 youngsters were festively welcomed by their parents, brothers, sisters, family and friends. A special and emotional moment, which many have eagerly awaited, but which the participants also dread a little. Besides a reunion, it is also a farewell to their new family on board. Tears flow both on board and on the quay.
School at Sea is a project that has been taking place on the Thalassa since 2016. Pupils from havo 4 and vwo 4 and 5 embark for six months and head out of the sea. Karlijn Moeskops is biology teacher and education coordinator on board. ”The participants have gone through a special talent development programme,” she says. ”Since they left in October 2025, they have not only followed the regular school programme on board, but have also learned to work together, take charge and face challenges. It has been six months full of intense learning experiences and unforgettable moments.”
Broad learning experiences
Koen Lentelink (16) attends vwo 5. ”I enjoyed it immensely and the trip did not affect my school performance. I had the position of ‘boatswain’ and ‘helmsman’ and to be able to sail the ship was a goosebump moment. The engine then turns off, it gets quiet and the ship keeps speed through the water. I found that a thrill. What also really appealed to me was the jungle in Dominica. In addition, I was quite seasick until Tenerife, later it got better.”
”Above all, you learn to work well together,” Koen continues. ,,It is very diverse. It ranges from sailing and navigating to kitchen service and cleaning. There is regular evaluation, which is important. The thing I missed most was fresh fruit and a bed that stopped once in a while. The funny thing was that beautiful experiences suddenly became commonplace. In the beginning, everyone ran outside when whales were seen. Later, that became ‘normal’ and some even did not get off their chairs.”
Mature
Julie Gerritzen also looks back on a successful trip. The vwo 4 student wants to study medicine later. She considers herself a lot more mature after this trip. ,,Because you are all in the same boat, it is important that you can work well together. You cannot escalate a conflict, because the space is simply too small for that. Of course I missed my family, but there was almost no time for homesickness. The programme is so well filled that the days fly by.”
Young adolescents exert attraction on each other. Especially when they work closely together and share joys and sorrows. During the trip, eight relationships were formed and friendships forged for life. Experienced captain Sam Dubois knows the ropes by now, having sailed as skipper on the Thalassa since 2016.
”The first two months are challenging,” says the Belgian, who lives in Den Helder and received his training in Enkhuizen. ”It takes them a while to master the ins and outs. The ship has sixteen sails and there is a lot of work involved. There are also numerous names for the ship’s rigging. But as they get more ‘into the game’, things get easier. I feel responsible for all those on board, but you grow into that too. In any case, I am extremely proud of them.”
Career
”Before this trip, I had never sailed before,” says havist Lucas (16). ,,We were first given theory which was later put into practice. Then you have to go into the mast and up the yards to set the sails. When the ship is stationary, this is easy to do, but on the high seas you have to be careful. I play hockey and tennis and I did miss playing sports, but you have plenty of exercise here on board. After this amazing voyage, I don’t consider a career in shipping out of the question. I have gained an experience for life and nobody will take that away from me anymore.”
Read Jan Ambriola’s article in the Noordhollands Dagblad (for subscribers only)
Headline photo: school kids at the bulwark of Thalassa © own archive