Royal Hakvoort Shipyard has paid tribute to shipbuilding stalwart Albert Hakvoort Sr, who has died at the age of 80.
Described as “one of the guiding lights of the yard and its workforce for decades”, Albert Sr joined the family business in 1955 and spent 60 years growing the shipyard.
In the 1990s the fourth generation of Hakvoorts, Klaas and Albert Jr, joined the family firm. In 2014, the brothers took over the running of the yard, allowing Albert Sr to retire.
The yard received the Royal designation in November 2020, which, the yard said, “was the crowning achievement for a man who did more than anyone to earn the yard this honour”.
Paying tribute to Albert Sr, the yard said: “The superyacht industry is full of characters but Albert will be remembered as one of the finest. He was a man without airs and graces who never forgot a face and had a kind word for everyone he met.
“A humble man who took the same warm and kind-hearted approach to billionaire clients and first-year apprentices alike, he leaves behind an unrivalled legacy of boatbuilding and a world of friendships and memories.”
Royal Hakvoort launched the 63.7 metre explorer Scout in 2019.