The Sea Ranger Service is a social enterprise working to protect our seas whilst simultaneously tackling youth unemployment.
"The legal support makes a huge difference to hit the ground running in the UK."
Wietse van der Werf, Founder and CEO of the Sea Ranger Service
At the heart of the Sea Ranger Service is a commitment to creating a positive impact. It trains unemployed young people from coastal areas through bootcamps run by Navy veterans. These bootcamps are more than just training programmes; they bring together individuals from various generations and backgrounds. The Sea Rangers' training cohorts have 72% female applicants, a stark contrast to the global maritime industry's mere 1% female workforce.
Graduates of these bootcamps become "Sea Rangers," ready to take on roles in ocean management, conservation, and restoration. The programme aims to do more than just provide employment; it strives to instil a sense of identity and pride in these young individuals, encouraging a broader mobilisation of youth in support of environmental conservation efforts.
When the Sea Rangers first launched in the Netherlands, they faced the challenge of not having offshore-certified sailing ships for their operations. This obstacle led the social enterprise to commission its own sailing ships, a move that significantly reduced the CO2 emissions of their activities, underscoring its commitment to reducing the environmental impact of its operations.
HL BaSE supported the Sea Ranger Service in expanding to the UK by way of offering debt financing and employment advice.
UK Expansion
The Sea Ranger Service initiated its first bootcamp in the Netherlands in 2018 and has since expanded into the UK, with the first UK bootcamp held in March 2024. This expansion was made possible with the support of Hogan Lovells, which assisted by drafting employment contracts and advising on debt financing, including creating an initial term sheet, loan agreement, and supporting lender negotiations.
In exciting news, the Crown Estate has recently deployed Sea Rangers to monitor wildlife in the Celtic Sea as part of a multi-year collaboration.
Discover more about the Sea Ranger Service and read their recent feature in the Pioneers Post to learn about their remarkable work.
(Images provided by the Sea Ranger Service)