SRS Janet Taylor

SRS Janet Taylor, A New Chapter in Sustainable Seafaring

The SRS Janet Taylor is a steel-hulled sailing work vessel, purpose-built for the Sea Ranger Service. Designed for resilience, efficiency, and versatility, the vessel marks a major step forward in sustainable offshore operations and maritime training. With a two-week unlimited operational range and the ability to carry out a wide range of offshore services and environmental monitoring tasks, it represents a powerful blend of tradition and innovation.

Officially christened by Queen Máxima of the Netherlands in Rotterdam in April 2025, the ship was launched in front of over 300 representatives from the maritime, governmental, conservation, and social finance sectors. Constructed in collaboration with over 15 shipbuilding partners, the launch of the SRS Janet Taylor is a milestone in the ongoing expansion of the Sea Ranger Service and its mission to protect the world’s oceans while supporting youth employment and skills training.

The 22-metre vessel is built for serious offshore work, yet maintains lower emissions than fully motorised ships. SRS Janet Taylor is a frontrunner in the shift towards the decarbonisation of the maritime industry. Powered by wind and supported by a John Deere TFM 85 engine, it can maintain steady speeds of 7–9 knots, with a top speed of 10 knots.

With its dual-mast Seldén rig and 200 m² upwind (300 m² downwind) sail area, the ship is designed for ease of handling and exceptional sailing performance. The 30-ton vessel’s steel hull and deck, aluminium pilothouse, and robust navigation and safety equipment, including B&G instruments, Mastervolt lithium batteries, and two life rafts, ensure it is well-equipped for challenging environments. It is fully certified under CE category A and MCA MGN280 Category 0, with a maximum crew capacity of 12.

Serving as both a working platform and a training vessel, the SRS Janet Taylor offers new Sea Rangers the chance to gain real-world experience in navigation, hydrographic surveying, and shipwreck and biodiversity monitoring. It is a core part of the Sea Ranger Service’s hands-on approach to ocean conservation and maritime skills development.

The vessel pays tribute to a pioneer in maritime science: Janet Taylor, the 19th-century British mathematician, astronomer, and navigation expert. Taylor’s groundbreaking innovations in celestial navigation and maritime safety helped shape modern seafaring, making her an apt namesake for this pioneering ship. Her legacy lives on in every voyage the SRS Janet Taylor undertakes.

“This ship embodies everything the Sea Ranger Service stands for,” said Wietse van der Werf, Founder and CEO of the Sea Ranger Service. “It’s about equipping the next generation with the skills and experience to protect our oceans while upholding a legacy of maritime innovation and excellence.”

With the SRS Janet Taylor, a new era of purpose-driven maritime work begins, sailing not only toward a healthier ocean, but toward a more skilled and sustainable offshore future.