and soul and has been involved in all things sailing-related from an early age. Given his interest in engineering and sailing, the obvious choice was to enrol in the Maritime Academy, where he obtained his Mate’s certificate and Marine Engineering diploma. During his education, and during the period in which he sailed on large sea-faring vessels, he gained a great deal of practical experience in a diverse range of technical systems on board such vessels.He developed this experience further by working for various technical companies after his time spent sailing. These companies were predominantly active in the design and production of marine craft engines, electrical, mechanical and hydraulic installations for the merchant navy, navy and air force. In addition to working, he also acquired extensive practical experience in the refitting of steel, wooden and GRP yachts. During that time, he also followed various boat-building courses. Given his interest in the field, he underwent a training course, which included both theory and practical components, to become a leisure craft expert, after which he was accredited as an EMCI certified Yacht Surveyor.
While still in training, he took up employment for a renowned specialist leisure craft consultancy. There, he worked as a leisure craft surveyor for four years and provided specialist services including pre-purchase surveys, valuation surveys, CE surveys, certification of new sailing and motor yachts, ultrasonic hull thickness surveys, engine surveys, construction surveys, as well as many specialist partial surveys. In order to continue these activities independently, and to be able to specialise in particular aspects, Koos Blonk has established ‘Blonk Jachtexpertise’. The certification of both new and used sailing and motor yachts is now one of the specalisms of this company.
Except yachtsurvor Koos Blonk is an author of two dutch written nautical-technical books:
'The survey of a GRP sailing yacht' and 'The survey of a steel motoryacht'
Koos Blonk make also part of 'the panel of surveyors' from the famous dutch sailing Magazine 'Zeilen' whereby he in the rubric 'ask the experts'
regularly answers technical questions from readers of this magazine 