1937 marked the festive opening of the present-day location along the Rokin of Reederij P. Kooij. The picture shows Mr. P. Kooij hoisting the flag. Before its opening, the company was already located at the then unfilled Rokin.
Picture of unfilled Rokin

Since the 1950s, Reederij P. Kooij has had its own yard, where all launches are maintained under the company’s own management.

During the winter season, most boats are brought ashore for maintenance purposes, ensuring that all boats are ready for the peak season.
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Reederij P. Kooij was established in 1922
Reederij P. Kooij arose from humble beginnings when a young schoolboy, Piet Kooij, found a bicycle among the litter. He mended the bike and exchanged it for a broken-down motorbike, which he also restored and traded in for an old boat. He managed to sell the boat for 500 guilders.

In the winter of 1922, he stumbled across a motorboat in the Rokin, which had in the meantime been filled. As usual, the motto was to “buy and repair”. This time however, the boat came complete with a launch license. Kooij didn't ponder too long over his next move. Boasting no previous experience, he began transporting passengers along the canals of Amsterdam. He managed to regale his first 14 tourists with a canal boat tour lasting several hours. The passengers complained of hunger and thirst: Piet Kooij hadn't yet worked out how long a tour was meant to last.

During the Second World War, all boats were confiscated by the Germans. Fortunately, Piet Kooij, with the help of Canadians, managed to be reunited with some of his boats in the north of Germany after the war.
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"Houston, the Eagle has landed!" A mere 4 months later, Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins found themselves aboard ship with Reederij P. Kooij during a visit to Amsterdam.
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Rokin
Centraal Station
Leidseplein
Amstel/Munt
Damrak

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