Nico Vasseur joined the Netherlands Navy in 1980. After completing the Naval College he sailed as Watch Officer on several ships.
In 1986, he graduated in underwater acoustics at the Naval College, and became Staff Officer Operations of the MCM Flotillas.
In 1989 he followed the Principle Warfare Officer course, specialising in anti‑submarine warfare, and went on to fill the position of Principle Warfare Officer on the HNLMS Pieter Florisz. He served on her in the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Shield.
In 1991 he took command of HNLMS Sittard, a coastal minesweeper. From July 1993 until June 1996 he worked for NATO at the Undersea Research Centre in La Spezia as a Programme...