Platform on civil engineering, underground infrastructure, energy, construction equipment & construction machinery
With skilled divers and specialized tools, Diving Company C.O.W. examines the condition of often old structures underwater. With long-term contracts with Haven Bedrijf Rotterdam NV and Gemeente Rotterdam, owner Peter Bosman says it is a logical next step to have a second branch in the city with its spectacular port area.
Since 2003, Diving Company COW has been engaged in civil water works throughout the country. As main or subcontractor for RWS, local authorities, contractors and industry. Bosman: "We have been doing that for years from our branch in Vianen, where you have to think of all the common work on cofferdams, but also renovation of concrete structures, core drilling, welding and fire work, video inspections, lock renovations, wall thickness measurements, injecting, salvage and survey."
The recovery of submerged cars is a frequently recurring discipline in the emergency services of Diving Company COW.
"You can also come to us for calamities," Bosman continues. "In case of collisions, dam wall damage, environmental disasters or when a lock gate can no longer be closed and therefore it cannot be navigated. Usually this is often a matter of removing a car tire or piece of braking and then it works again. But of course it has to be done as quickly as possible. We have (calamity) contracts for and with Port of Rotterdam NV, the Amsterdam-Rhine Canal and the North Sea Canal and the locks associated with them, among others, where we manage the civil diving together with a fellow company from IJmuiden." Diving company COW has a special 24/7 calamity service on standby with which it can turn out at any time of the day (or night) with one of its boats or buses.
The 11,797th and very last anode of part task 4 is applied.
'The Wadden Sea' and 'Progresso,' those are the names of the two fully equipped and self-sufficient work boats of diving company COW. "We really have everything on board that could be needed for the most common jobs. For example, both boats are equipped with a crane. With one boat it is even possible to stay on it for longer periods of time if a job is a bit further 'from home': a sleeping quarters, shower, toilet, kitchenette: it's all in there." In addition to this fleet, Diving Company COW also has at its disposal six fully equipped diving buses, two decompression tanks, three fully equipped diving containers -which can be transported by trailer to a work site- and two mobile units. One is a fully equipped diving unit, the other especially for thermal lance work.
From the new office on Brielselaan in Rotterdam, diving company COW can switch gears quickly. "With our own quay in the Maashaven, our boats can moor quickly to be on site in no time.
Another important advantage is that the facility also provides ample space for storage of anodes.
The boat 'Waddenzee' at the new branch on Brielselaan (Maashaven) in Rotterdam.
"We are in several locations applying anodes as cathodic protection," says Bosman. "Many steel structures that are in (salt and brackish) water, such as sheet piles, are protected from corrosion by anodes. Applying these 'sacrificial' anodes requires a high-quality piece of craftsmanship." Bosman explains that first, the anode's mounting blocks are welded to the structure. Then the anode is installed and completed. Finally, a through-weld is made to ensure that the anode can do its job properly. Diving company COW has access to all types of anodes and can deliver them quickly. "We carry out this work in the major seaports with great depths but also on the shallower inner-city quay walls," he said.
Underwater welding or burning of steel sheet piles or structures is a common discipline at COW, but is a tough job for the team doing the diving work. "The welding obviously has to be of excellent quality," Bosman says. "This is why we only work with highly experienced certified welders. Not only are our professionals individually certified, but we are also the first company in the Netherlands to be certified according to the prevailing standard of welding procedures. And we are very proud of that!" Welding Institute De Groot -with accreditation from DNV-GL acted as examiner and assessor for this company certification. Moreover, Diving Company COW has ISO certification and a VCA** in petrochemicals: the highest VCA you can achieve as a contractor, attesting to the necessary professionalism. This makes Diving Company COW not only one of the biggest players in the field of Civil Underwater Works, but an absolute reliable partner with expertise. "We like to be the best at what we do," Bosman adds.
'Waddenzee' and 'Progresso' at dive company COW's own quay in Maashaven.
"For example, our 'welding done in the wet' is of good quality and often an excellent solution," Bosman states. "However, when even higher demands are placed on the welding work, the Habitat provides the opportunity to deliver it." The Habitat is an air- or gas-filled sealed dry working chamber under increased pressure, corresponding to water pressure, placed underwater. The advantage over wet submerged welding is that the weld can cool more gradually achieving the same result as above water. Also, the weld can be checked directly visually or using non-destructive testing equipment. "The results can be captured on photo or video if desired. Demolition work can also be carried out twice as fast in a dry environment, which saves costs." Diving company COW has a 7 m3 and a 10 m3 Habitat.
Bosman sees a bright future for his company. "We, as a diving company, need water to operate. With the arrival of this second branch in Rotterdam, we are well placed in that respect! Especially with the ongoing projects in the whole area from the Second Maasvlakte to Dordrecht and the inner-city port area of Rotterdam. In addition, we always ensure the proper training of our people and continuous improvement in knowledge and expertise where needed, so that we can take on wonderful projects for major port companies, such as Port of Rotterdam Authority NV and Municipality of Rotterdam. In fact, they require that the diving company working for them has proper and approved welding procedures and the welders are certified. Really essential for this market," he says.
In anticipation of the measures announced by the cabinet regarding the nitrogen and pfas issues and the specifications coming to market, it is important for contractors to be able to participate in those measures as well. "Since our company does work in construction, such as underground parking basements, lock complexes and projects depending on cabinet measures related to the new environmental policy, we certainly see where the opportunities lie. Corporate Social Responsibility is very important here. That is why we have 124 solar panels on the roof, we drive partly electrically, a new compact crane of Diving Company C.O.W. is equipped with an electric motor so that it can run entirely electrically, the entire building is equipped with LED lighting, various pumps and drive equipment have been exchanged for electric variants and our ships are now equipped with environmentally friendly engines. We tailor the equipment we purchase to current environmental requirements." Bosman concludes, "If we continue to do our work as well as ever, performing in accordance with the requirements and wishes of our employers and relieving them from A to Z in the process, then we will gladly fulfill those option years in the current contracts."
With the installation of the 11,797th anode for the Port of Rotterdam Authority NV, diving company COW recently had a festive day. The next partial order is already ready: 7200 anodes across various locations, including the Prins Johan Frisohaven and locations at Heijplaat. Beautiful old nostalgic locations: because old Rotterdam is certainly not forgotten either!
Louwers Mediagroep
Schatbeurderlaan 6
6002 ED Weert
© 1987 - 2025 Louwers Media Group.
