The freedom of choice: interview with Joost van Berkel

A new episode of (Dutch blog) Roefgesprekken is out – this time with Joost van Berkel. Listen to the story of a freelance captain who sets his own course, both at sea and ashore.

On this episode of Roefgesprekken, we sit down for a conversation with Joost – a man who saw sailing grow into his life step by step.

What started with a booked trip aboard the Tecla to England soon spiralled out of control. After the Tecla, a day’s sailing on the Jantje and from there to longer voyages, eventually to the Baltic Sea and far beyond. Since then, Joost has sailed many seas, but the Baltic Sea continues to attract him. A sailing area where he believes there is still much to discover.

The combination that makes it special

What appeals so much to Joost in his profession? Precisely the combination of things that apparently do not belong together.
Working with people, the social aspect on board – but also the ship’s technology. Because something always breaks down. And therein lies the satisfaction for him: solving problems, switching gears, keeping an overview. As he puts it himself: “Getting the puzzle complete.”

In the far north, the accents are different again. There, the adventure is in the conditions: weather, remote areas, sometimes days away from help. But remarkably, there is often less sailing there than you might think. Many of these voyages are voyages of discovery, which are about discovering Svalbart and less about reaching a destination under sail.

A story to be told

This is exactly why Roef conversations are made: to capture this kind of perspective.

Joost is a freelancer – and that makes his story interesting. He has the freedom to choose where he sails, with whom and when. He sets his own schedule and can select his voyages. And yet, so far, he chooses, time and again, to stay in this world.

That freedom also gives him a unique perspective. Not only on sailing itself, but also on the development of the industry. In the winters, he works on the ships: conversions, maintenance, modifications. He sees up close how ships change, how the luxury segment grows, how regulations shift and how owners make different choices than before.

Between freedom and connectedness

It is precisely this position – free to go wherever he wants, but still stay connected – that makes his story worth hearing.
Because what does it really mean not to be tied to one ship? To choose again and again? And then how do you look at ownership?
Perhaps the best question of this conversation is one you have to find out for yourself: did Joost ever want to own his own ship?

Listen to Roef conversations via Spotify or YouTube.

Haven’t heard the earlier episodes yet? Then go to: Roefgesprekken.nl.

Source: own newsgathering.
Image: Lisa Bloemers.