Eight Bells for Roy van Aller

27 June, 2024 - Roy van Aller, 77, passed on Sunday, 23rd June, after a very nice sailing trip on his boat in his hometown of Breskens, Netherlands. He became unwell and tragically fell into the water and died after unsuccessful resuscitation.

Roy was an iconic figure in the offshore sailing community. He was a much sought-after navigator on many competitive teams, such as Schuttevaer, Goodwin, and several Pro-motions.

After an impressive career as a captain in the fleet of another Breskens sailing icon, shipowner Piet Vroon, he settled ashore in Breskens, where he became Commodore of the Breskens Sailing Club and Race Officer for many offshore regattas. He was also an expert on safety matters on commercial vessels and racing yachts, making him an ideal member of the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations Sub-Committee and the ORC Congress.

Roy was also instrumental getting young sailors onto offshore yachts and teach them the first steps on his own cruiser-racer to become successful crew members on the top-level racing boats. He was honoured as a Knight in the Order of Orange Nassau, an honorary member of the Breskens Sailing Club as well as the Noordzee Club, and the Dutch Class Association of Offshore Racing.

We lost a very dear friend, and our sincere condolences go out to Sari, Tirza, Edwin, Kyra, and the rest of the Aller family.