Upcycling


UPCYCLING IS THE NEW BLACK AT JACHTHAVEN WETTERWILLE


The family­owned 5 Gold Anchor marina in Loosdrecht, the Netherlands, uses reclaimed and upcycled materials in nearly all of its refurbishments. By re­using what they already have, the marina reduces its ecological footprint and leads by example in the voyage towards greener water tourism. Jachthaven Wetterwille just


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received 5 Gold Anchor rating for the third time in a row, but the Dutch marina is not intent on resting on its laurels. Instead, it tries to up the ante when it comes to environmental best practices. Managing director and mater familias Mieke Vleugels CMM is praised as well as playfully mocked by her staff for refusing to throw out absolutely anything. "Her poise and determination to re­use old stuff is legendary," says Catherine Kosters, Mieke's oldest daughter, who has been active in the family business for over five years. "Discarded furniture, ancient equipment and even abandoned boats are given a second life by her somehow." The latest example of


f family comes first at mother­daughter enterprise Jachthaven Wetterwille, then the environment definitely comes second.


indebted owner, while the bow serves as a counter. The marina staff carried out repairs and meticulously applied seven coats of new varnish to turn the ugly duckling into a swan and to honour the original craftsmanship of the area's boat builders. Now, the counter is the pride and joy of the marina office and the so­called 'boat tent' sleeps two comfortably. Berth holders and visitors alike can book the latter for a romantic night with unparalleled views over the marina and Loosdrecht Lakes. The same lovely views can be


Words: Catherine Kosters


Jachthaven Wetterwille's upcycling mission is a unique tent located on the green eco­roof over the marina's showroom. The camping accommodation was fashioned out of the stern of a derelict wooden BM sailboat, left to the management by its


62 F&A / September 2017


enjoyed from Wetterwille's studio, also located on the eco­roof. The apartment sleeps 5 and has an interior that exists out of 80% vintage and salvaged goods. From a repurposed kitchen to bookshelves made of old water skis that used to belong to Catherine's grandfather and Wetterwille founder, Gradus Sr. This form of nostalgic and eco­ friendly creativity really shows that family values and environmental awareness are at the core of everything the marina does. There's an old Dutch saying that goes: "One man's trash is another woman's tent." At least that's what they will tell you at Jachthaven Wetterwille. While the Dutch may have a reputation for being cheap, there's another reason for the thriftiness at the marina and


that is looking after our planet by reducing the company's ecological footprint and at the same time restoring value to something as beautiful as an old wooden sailboat, that was handcrafted with love many decades ago.


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