Van Lutyens was an engineer at a Euro Sea Gas Control Rig.
Van Lutyens and Frank Harris recommended shutting off the gas supply after recent problems, but John Robson refused to listen to him. He fell under the weed creature's mental control, but was eventually freed thanks to the Second Doctor. (TV: Fury from the Deep)
Behind the Scenes
In the novelisation, he is given the first name of Pieter.