Sounding board group reception ship COA Hellevoetsluis

Opening:

• Since the last focus group meeting, the Assistant Site Manager AS has been promoted to Site Manager, effective February 1.
• The new Senior Management Assistant at CL introduces himself; he has been working at COA for some time now and has been based in Hellevoetsluis since March 10.

Minutes of the meeting on November 5, 2026: 

The minutes are approved. 

Action Items July 2, 2025 

• Sewer Problem (TvdD)
  We are in close contact with the municipality and residents of Kanaalweg Westzijde. There is good reason to hope that the problem will be resolved within approximately three months.
• Picnic tables (WM)
  No feedback has been received yet; WM will follow up on this. Local residents would also like to see space created on the quay for residents, so that recreational gatherings can take place more frequently on the upper deck as well, due to noise pollution.
• Parking lot lighting (COA)
  Resolved by COA with lighting installed on the opposite side; following complaints from passing traffic, the light was changed to green to prevent glare. The request remains in effect, with lighting required on the side of the bicycle parking area.

• Remove bus stop (WM)
  Has been removed.

  
  State of Affairs:

  World Cup Municipal Elections 

  Migration, along with housing, Health education, is one of the key issues in the municipal elections. A coalition negotiator has now been appointed, and it remains to be seen what will happen next. The agreement is that our ship will remain in Hellevoetsluis until December 31, 2026. Mr. H: The situation for status holders is unclear, and there is an article from the Province of South Holland stating that they will hold municipalities accountable under the Distribution Act. What will be do? with the status holders do?

  WM explains: 

• Some status holders have been assigned to the municipality Voorne aan Zee, which means the municipality will have to find housing for them; they are responsible for doing so. Due to a backlog, status holders are currently still staying at COA facilities, which means there is no turnover for asylum accommodations.
• Under the Distribution Act, the municipality Voorne aan Zee is required Voorne aan Zee 392 asylum places. This does not apply to individuals who have been granted refugee status. This requirement is imposed by the province. The Council will now have to consider this matter further; they have until April 2027 to do so. 

• JO: Does this include Ukrainians as well?
  WM states that different rules apply to this group and that they are not included here. 

  Currently, 137 beds are occupied at the Alessia facility. More residents are expected to arrive due to the closure of COA reception centers across the country and the high number of arrivals in Ter Apel. A statement from the Dutch government indicates that they will hold municipalities accountable under the Distribution Act. What will do? to the status holders do?

  In and around the ship Alessia (noise pollution/picnic tables) 

  At the previous meeting, issues such as noise pollution, trash in the water, and lighting that was shining into one of the apartments were discussed. The COA has addressed these issues. If there are any complaints, AS urges you to please contact the COA so that the issues can be resolved more quickly. At this time, nearby residents have not reported any complaints. Sound travels through the water, so the noise from residents talking on the phone on the upper deck can be clearly heard. 

  The COA, along with local residents, believes that placing picnic tables on the quay so that residents can sit there will reduce the noise, as the ship will then be situated between them. It is noted that things are currently very quiet on board, partly because a number of residents are working or attending classes.
   

  Agenda items submitted by local residents: 

  No agenda items were received via email. 

  IG: The dinner for local residents was viewed positively; unfortunately, there was little opportunity to talk with the residents. The COA noted that the high turnout was a pleasant surprise, which meant there was little space left in the restaurant for people to sit together at tables. The sounding board group has expressed a desire to see a follow-up. Collaboration with the sounding board group is a good option for improving contact between local residents and the residents; the sounding board group members are eager to contribute ideas for a follow-up. 

  After receiving the invitation from the COA, residents of Block A found a letter in their mailboxes with an unfriendly tone; this letter is being handed out. 

  HH: Last week, we heard loud voices and a loud bang. 

  COA: Security is taking action against loud noises on the boat because they are also disturbing our residents. A local resident noted that the noise may also have come from the fortress, where a party was being held.

  Any other business/announcements: 

  SR: We have been in contact with the municipality Voorne aan Zee the rats running around, including on the ship. We have not yet received a response. WM will forward this to the relevant department. Local residents are also complaining about rats and mice in their gardens and the surrounding area. 

  HH: Is there a specific group of residents on board, such as Syrians? 

  COA: No, we have people of various nationalities on board. SR: If something happens on the west side of Kanaalweg, between numbers 2 and 4, and I can’t reach CAO security—who can get there faster than the police—do we have any special enforcement officers (BOAs) or an environmental management team we can contact? 

  WM: No, there isn't one; in that case, you'll need to call the police. 

  The COA has provided SR with the correct contact numbers for COA Security.

  Scheduling a new meeting It has been agreed to schedule a new sounding board group meeting in September 2026.
  
   

Opening/Proposal Round:

All present introduced themselves.
 

Explanation delayed date for sounding board group meeting:

WM: explained that the change of Managers at the Hellevoetsluis location has caused
the meeting to be delayed. Today the new Deputy Site Manager
(started July 1, 2025) is present and she will chair the next meeting.

Questions from the focus group:

• MV: Indicates that after the previous sounding board meeting (Nov. 2024) the municipality
  Voorne aan Zee would contact them to start solving the sewer problem, concerning
  unpleasant odor on the Kanaalweg Westzijde. The only action so far
  has been a car with 2 gentlemen who opened the manhole cover and
  closed it and disappeared again. Other than that, there has been no noticeable action and no
  solution. The odor is still present. All residents of the Kanaalweg Westzijde
  1 to 19 have now submitted a written complaint to the municipality of Voorne aan Zee
  , again there has been no response. Now the question is what plan of
  approach will be made by the Municipality of Voorne Voorne aan Zee, Sewer Management Department
  and on what period of time a feedback can be expected. Residents of
  the Kanaalweg Westzijde do not feel that they are being taken seriously.
   
• JO: Assuming that the minutes reflect what was discussed the evening in question
  , the previous minutes had added additional topics that were not addressed at
  .
   
• IH: COA has indicated that noise measurements are being done, meanwhile COA
  colleagues are working on that. There are no official results yet. As soon as the results are known
  this will be passed on to those invited to the sounding board group.
  In addition, security is on board 24/7 to enforce noise control.
  How many decibels are permitted? That will be checked.
  IH: Has now driven past our location several times and she noticed in a positive
  sense that there was very little noise coming from De Alessia.
   
• JR: Indicates that water carries the sound, you can't take that away.
   
• JO+IH: Indicate that there is a hearing July 29, 2025, where local residents can ask questions
  to the municipality regarding COA's Emergency Shelter at
  Kanaalweg Westzijde 4A in Hellevoetsluis. The local residents have received a letter
  with plans about containers, the bicycle storage and a Restaurant at the
  Lighthouse these are however no concrete plans yet. COA has not received this mail/data
  and cannot report anything about this.
   
• IH: Safety and Incidents on the Ship? Did not occur after the
  startup period in 2024. Various stories/untruths are being circulated without review
  .
• JO: There are no reports showing up on P2000 Hellevoetsluis how is that possible?
  This question cannot be answered by those present.
  IH: Is there drug use on the boat? There are no worrying signs about this.
  2 of 2
   
• IH: Is it still the case that the boat is here until December 31, 2026, or is there an extension?
  Basically, there is no extension from the Municipality of Voorne aan Zee for De Alessia.
   
• WM: Are the news reports regarding the migration issues affecting the
  residents? Through various agencies, residents are counseled on these
  specific issues. Residents are kept informed in language groups about what is going on
  in politics and in their home countries.
   
• WM: Also from the Municipality of Voorne aan Zee , I participate in the
  residents' meetings and in doing so, I regularly stop by to have dinner with the
  residents.
   
• WM: There has been discussion within the Municipality of Voorne aan Zee about adjusting the
  house number, this will be discussed in petit committee with interested parties.
   
• JR: Containers are being overfilled. This is really enforced from COA and
  stakeholders are asked to strictly enforce this. The containers are emptied 2x
  per week. With regard to bicycle parking, it is indicated that COA
  has put a plan into action together with one of our janitors.
   
• IH: What if a fire breaks out on the boat? I'm worried about that.
  There is an evacuation protocol to escort residents out as quickly as possible
  . The crew of The Alessia takes the lead on this, COA follows the
  instructions. Some time ago there was a large evening exercise attended by COA,
  Crew, Fire Brigade, Police, Rescue Brigade and Mayor.
  After evaluation, it became clear that the cooperation went well. Once every
  month an evacuation is organized from the crew,
   
• COA: Permit waiver for crew, security, residents and supplies during the
  Vesting Days in August 2025 for Canal Road West Side 4 and 4A.
  Can there be picnic tables on the Land of Eel for our residents, they are
  now sitting in the grass among the Goose poop.

New sounding board group appointment in late October.

Action items: 

• Sewer problems (WM)
• Noise measurements (COA).
• Hearing (WM).
• Exemption during Vesting Days (WM).
• Picnic tables (WM)

Opening:

COA's Site Manager opened the meeting and welcomed everyone aboard De Alessia North Shelter Hellevoetsluis.

Introductions:

All present introduced themselves.

State of Affairs:

The Alessia houses about 140 residents of about 20 different nationalities. To ensure that they become familiar with the Dutch language and culture as quickly as possible, Dutch language lessons are given by a regular NT2 teacher. 4 Volunteers have joined this program, a 5th will start in January. Language buddies are involved in which our residents receive 1 on 1 Dutch lessons. Activities such as swimming lessons, gym and running group have been started. There are also residents working for River Roots (e.g. Cleaning). 

For labor market approach, an employee of the municipality of Voorne aan Zee comes twice a week to help residents create a resume and cover letters. He visits companies with the residents. Some residents have now found paid work. The municipality also provides workshops (e.g. Cultural differences). There are residents waiting for a bsn.

There is no opportunity for residents to cook for themselves. On other ships, this may be the case. River Roots provides the meals in Hellevoetsluis. The languages on the ship are Dutch and English, residents interpret for each other when necessary. An external interpreter is called in for official conversations.

Sounding Board:

Is there good representation for the Sounding Board now?
Those present seem to be a good representation of the area for now. Someone from VVE could possibly join. They can pass on questions from the neighborhood to COA or the Municipality of Voorne aan Zee. Next meeting the neighborhood police officer should be present. It is agreed that a meeting will be held once every 3 months.

Safety:

Security is present on the ship 24/7. In case of incidents, security is asked to handle this, when this fails the police/112 is called. There is also always contact with COA's on-call service, in addition there is good consultation with the BOAs and Police.
Generally there are small incidents where COA talks with the resident and where necessary a measure is imposed. For larger incidents, a Time Out can be arranged. These incidents occurred on the ship. In the start-up period there were some incidents, some of these residents were transferred. It is indicated that when you put different nationalities together, everyone has to get used to the new situation, but many of the residents are grateful to be allowed to stay here.

One attendee believes that not everyone fled to the Netherlands with the best of intentions and there can always be troublemakers among them.

One of the attendees manages to relate that there was more unrest on one of the previous ships; she suspects this was because the residents knew they would not be staying in Hellevoetsluis for long. Another indicates that in some places in her hometown there is nuisance from loitering youth.

When there are free beds, COA placement will consider which residents can be placed. No children may be placed on the vessels due to danger of drowning. When the ratio of men to women is not balanced, only men are chosen. Ultimately, the safety of local residents, residents, crew and staff is number one.

Set new meeting:

At the request of attendees please before March 10 due to vacations.

Round questions/communications:

• One of those present said that they felt misled by the Municipality of Voorne aan Zee about placing an asylum seeker ship in Hellevoetsluis. The ship is located too close to the new houses on the Veerhaven, as a result of which people will experience noise pollution.
  Answer: noise measurements are being carried out by the Municipality of Voorne aan Zee. COA is in favor of an AZC, unfortunately this was not possible.
• One attendee indicated that the Council of Voorne aan Zee has said, there will be no new ship in Hellevoetsluis.
• One attendee said he was critical; it was indicated that this very thing was appreciated.
• At Canal Road West Side 1 through 19, odor nuisance from the sewer is experienced during heavy and prolonged rainfall. This nuisance has also occurred during the period of the previous collection vessel. Is this due to over-pumping of the sanitary from the vessel to the free-fall sewer and can this be remedied, for example, by more phased over-pumping so that the capacity of the sewer can better handle it. Municipality of Voorne aan Zee is picking this up.
• There is a demand to share activities so that the area is more involved with our residents and can get to know each other in a fun way.
• After the minutes were circulated, 2 comments were received that we would like to bring to the next meeting.
• Around the Christmas period, again this year, for a period of four weeks, a reception ship from Krimpen aan den IJssel will come to Hellevoetsluis. This ship will dock at the lighthouse.

Closure:

The meeting will close at 9 p.m.