WILLEMSTAD – Personnel from the Royal Netherlands Navy and the Caribbean Coast Guard were unknowingly exposed to serious safety risks during training sessions conducted at the Curaçao branch of Dutch company De Ruyter Training & Consultancy (DRTC). This revelation comes from internal documents released following a request under the Dutch Open Government Act (Wet open bestuur). 

According to the documents, an investigation by the Dutch Human Environment and Transport Inspectorate (ILT) led to the revocation of DRTC Curaçao's license to provide maritime safety training. The inspectors described the conditions at the facility as “far below standard and dangerous.” The training installations were found to be severely outdated, with holes in the floors, unstable cables, and malfunctioning breathing equipment, among other hazards. 

Known Safety Risks Ignored 

What makes the situation even more alarming is that the risks were already known to Curaçaoan authorities. A senior government official reportedly was not surprised by ILT’s findings, noting that the harbor master had previously raised similar concerns. However, there is no indication that those warnings were acted upon. The leadership of the navy and coast guard were caught off guard by the ILT’s sudden intervention, suggesting they were not informed about the safety violations. 

Impact on Maritime Training in the Region 

DRTC Curaçao is currently the only provider of maritime safety training for seafarers in the Caribbean region. The closure of the facility means that military and civilian personnel will now have to travel to the United States or the Netherlands to receive mandatory safety certifications. 

The incident raises serious questions about oversight, communication between authorities, and the safety of military personnel. As the investigation continues, both local and Dutch stakeholders are expected to push for improved safety protocols and accountability in future training operations.