Born in the UK and raised in Cape Town South Africa from a young age, I finished school when I was 18 years old and chose trade college where I trained in plumbing and gas. After qualifying I went to live and work in the UK for a number of years where I mostly worked on commercial construction sites such as high rises, universities and hotels. During my time in the UK I started to think about a career change which was mostly motivated by my friends already working in the Super Yachting industry as well as the need for sunshine due to the unfortunate weather in the UK and feeling like I had outgrown the plumbing and gas sector as I did not find it challenging or rewarding enough to stay in it long term.
After completing all my basic courses I obtained my first job as a 3rd Engineer onboard M/Y Silver Angel back in 2011 and I have not looked back since then working on M/Y Lightning, Lady Lara, Sea Rhapsody and spending a summer with Polar Star in between full time employment. I am now rotational 2nd Engineer/ETO onboard M/Y INVICTUS where I have been since November 2020. My trade qualifications and ability to work well with my hands were the exact tools I needed to be noticed by one of the Chief Engineers onboard M/Y Silver Angel where I was employed as a temp 3rd engineer, shortly after leaving he contacted me and offered me the full time position which I gladly accepted.
The yachting industry is a very challenging and diverse place to work in and it offers what I believe to be the best job and lifestyle, no other job or industry that I know of comes close to what this industry offers. I currently hold my Y3 license and I will shortly be starting my SV Chief 9000kw 3000gt license and I plan to have a long career as a yacht engineer, and look to step up to Chief in the next 3-4 years.
A big thank you to Marjorie at YPI for putting me forward for this nomination, since meeting Marjorie in 2011 I have worked closer with her than any other crew agent and the jobs she has helped me secure have always been good ones. I look forward to working with Marjorie and YPI as I progress in my career.
