Now that the dust has settled we look back at a high-profile project, the approach, removal and eventual dismantling of the plane bomb in the Claes de Vrieselaan, Rotterdam. We do so together with Anouk van der Ree. She has been involved in this special project from the tender phase to the completion of the work.

“In recent months, I have been involved in the preparation and implementation of the project ‘Approach and remove unexploded bomb Claes de Vrieselaan.’

Within Van den Herik, this project has been running for quite some time, as our UXO detection department started the detection work back in 2016. And that was after our sister company Saricon had conducted the necessary historical research.

Following these initial measurements, they began initial preparations. Possible implementation methods and designs were considered. The municipality of Rotterdam had to buy out 6 households. Finally, last year the 3 buildings above the unexploded bomb were demolished to make room for the approach. A long-running project, in which I actually participated for only a short time.

In October 2023, we started working in the tender department on the tender for the actual execution, approaching and bringing out the bomb, of this project. In doing so, I helped think about the methods of execution, what equipment would be needed and what the schedule would look like.

Since this project is a combination of civil work (the installation and excavation of a sheet pile pit) and OOO work* (the final approach to the dud), there was already a lot of cooperation with this department in the tender phase. And with success, because ultimately all 3 EMVI plans were rated 10 by the Municipality of Rotterdam! *detection of explosive remnants of war

After this great result, I started the work preparation together with the OOO department. In February this year we could finally start our work outside. From here on I stayed with the project team that included Robert Vos, Hans Wolsheimer and Eric Schot-gerrits as a superintendent so I could put all our ideas and preparation into practice.

Within a few weeks, our team installed the sheet piling, excavated the building pit, installed purlins and, of course, located the unexploded bomb.

May 30 was the day, in cooperation with the EOD the unexploded bomb was identified, the detonator removed and the bomb was detonated at the blast site on the Maasvlakte. The entire operation was successful that day and of course for me this was the ultimate conclusion of such a special project. We are currently still working on the finishing touches, but I can already look back on a super nice job and a very pleasant cooperation with my colleagues from UXO detection.

It was very instructive to experience a project from tender to execution in this way. Of course, it is extra cool that my first experience with our OOO department was right away this special project.”

Anouk worked closely with Senior Expert OOO Robert Vos, Machinist and Assistant Expert OOO Hans Wolsheimer and Machinist TCVT Eric Schotgerrits during the execution of this project. We are proud of this team and the job they did together!