MARINE INNOVATION
A breath of fresh air FOUNDER AND PROUD OWNER OF SEPSYS, WILLEM VRAETS HAS WORKED IN THE YACHTING SECTOR SINCE HE WAS A TEENAGER. Six years ago, after realising that there aren’t any specialised companies in the Netherlands for air intake separation systems in the maritime sector, Mr Vraets founded SepSys. He knew he was the right man for the job, after gaining years of experience and extensive specialised knowledge in marine & offshore air intake systems. ALL PHOTOS COURTESY OF SEPSYS.
Willem Vraets, founder and owner of SepSys.
2 4 | S Y I 2 0 2 1 | Volum e 1 6 | Issue 3
Sepsys.indd 24
S
epSys is a Dutch company that provides turnkey HVAC (heating, ventilation, and air conditioning) solutions. The company develops and manufactures air intake separation systems in the Netherlands for marine & offshore applications worldwide. The key values of the company are quality products, innovation, flexibility, great customer service, and a personal touch that derives from Mr Vraets’ passion for the industry. The SepSys head office in Hoofddorp is only a stone’s throw away from Schiphol International Airport and Amsterdam.
Superyacht industry Mr Vraets explains, “Due to our flexibility and eye for detail, we have the pleasure of serving some of the finest yacht builders and refit yards worldwide. In addition, we often work for yachts directly. We have seen an increasing interest in air intake systems from owner’s teams in the recent years. Due to the pandemic, yacht owners are becoming more aware of the vital need for high quality air on board. Our services include ship visits and on-site replacement of mist eliminators and filter systems and that is why you can find our products on some of the greatest superyachts
ever built. We aim to design our equipment to make installation as easy as possible. When designing parts that need to be serviced on a regular basis, such as filter systems, we try to avoid the need for using tools and often create illustrated manuals so any crew member can do the job. My older brother Joeri Vraets, Technical Director at SepSys, taught me to always aim for making life easier for yourself. I consider this a great engineering rule.”
Products Mr Vraets continues to explain, “With regard to air intake, it is important that only air comes in. The yacht, it’s technical equipment, valuable interior and often fine pieces of art must be protected against harmful effects caused by contaminants such as salt water, dust, bugs, sand, and soot. The problem is not just corrosion, but these contaminants also form a breathing ground for health threatening problems like bacteria, mould, fungi, and viruses. Actually, the air intake separation system can be compared to the masks we wear to protect ourselves from breathing in any harmful contaminants. Our mist eliminators and filters are used for air
The SepSys head office in Hoofddorp is only a stone’s throw away from Schiphol International Airport and Amsterdam.
s u p e r ya ch t-i n d u s tr y. co m
19-08-2021 09:15
