Adding to its list of existing naval architectural and maritime engineering services, C-Job recently expanded its scope to include interior design and engineering. Not for the cruise, yacht and ferry markets, but for workboats.
This development is a response to a continuing trend seen throughout the maritime industry. Aesthetically pleasing vessel interiors is now something that workboat owners are also having to pay more attention to.
‘This is certainly important for workboats,’ says C-Job Lead Engineer Gijs Peters. ‘What’s more, because it is becoming more difficult for ship owners to find and keep crews for their vessels, it is something that is actually becoming more important.’
Crews Look for Comfortable Ships
Anecdotal evidence from the offshore wind installation market backs this up. Crews have been known to switch employers (and therefore, vessels) based on how comfortable a vessel is. ‘If you take into account the fact that these crews are living on board for half a year, this is understandable. You want to make it as comfortable as possible,’ adds Peters. ‘Therefore, interior design and engineering is just as important for these markets as for the cruise ships and ferries where passengers are paying for the accommodation.’
Crews have been known to switch employers (and therefore, vessels) based on how comfortable a vessel is
Peters takes this point further with the fishing sector, where captain-owners spend a huge amount of time on board. ‘There is even more desire to have a well-designed interior because the emotional connection with the vessel as a living area is even stronger.’
Combining Two Disciplines
What makes C-Job’s interior design and engineering discipline special is that the company can now offer an even more integrated service. ‘When we speak to clients the feedback that we often hear is: “We either talk to designers or we talk to engineers. We never talk to a party that can combine both disciplines.” In other words, what we are offering is really unique,’ Peters explains.
He goes on to say that this discipline is relevant for the cruise and ferry markets too. ‘There are lots of interior designers in these markets, but they don’t have the engineering skills that we do. By integrating this interior design and engineering work we become an attractive partner.’
We carry out the engineering with a design background – from an aesthetic point of view and we work on design with an engineering point of view
The combination of these skills is the main benefit. ‘It means that we carry out the engineering with a design background – from an aesthetic point of view. And we work on design with an engineering point of view – keeping in mind the technical aspects such as materials and construction methods.’
Streamlined Timing
Peters adds that the company’s integrated multidisciplinary approach is ‘more streamlined and efficient in terms of timing. Structural engineering, mechanical engineering, piping, HVAC, and other areas – because all these subjects are considered in the interior design, the quality of the finished vessel is improved.’
Design Review for Jack-up
C-Job has already applied its interior design and engineering approach during an accommodation design review for a Taiwanese jack-up owner-operator. Starting with an existing Concept Design, C-Job’s role was to make the arrangement of the client’s offshore wind installation vessel accommodation more logical and aesthetically pleasing.
The jack-up’s TV lounge (picture by C-Job).
Peters: ‘We incorporated attractive design features and special materials to create a more comfortable environment, providing a cosy atmosphere where people can mingle and interact with each other.’
The company also supplied the interior design for its Rotterdam office.
Picture (top): Gijs Peters, Lead Engineer at C-Job with the jack-up’s TV lounge behind him (picture by C-Job).
