Watch: A little collage of video clips… from Portland tidal race English Channel, Biscay, Mediterranean and Atlantic.
Seeking first mate/crew positions, UK/Europe and ocean crossings.
Particularly interested in crossings to Capo Verde, Azores, South America, west east Atlantic crossing, Indian Ocean or pacific crossing.
RYA day skipper with a VHF marine licence, Yachtmaster theory and 14,000 nautical miles; coastal (England, France, Portugal, Spain, Sicily, Greece, Turkey, Canaries, Tasmania, Thailand)
And off shore crossings (English Channel, Bay of Biscay x4, Mediterranean west/east, Atlantic east/west. La Gomera, Canaries to Gosport, UK via Madiera, Portugal, Spain and France.)
References below.
I’m comfortable with and enjoy solo night watches, sail trimming and all other aspects of sailing. I have meteorological and navigational skills. I’m resourceful, capable and enjoy problem solving. I have good sea legs and I’m calm pragmatic and level headed in challenging situations. I’m intelligent, able to hold the bigger picture whilst also having attention to detail. I’m hard working, hands on, pretty handy and keen to sail more.
When in the uk, I live a simple semi off grid life with a tiny home on a moorland farm in beautiful South Devon; this is balanced with simple living aboard a yacht or on land in the wilds of the south west Algarve, Portugal, where I hold residency. I’m otherwise quite nomadic and sail as much as possible. I'm well travelled and independent.
I'm a bodywork therapist, and qualified somatic yoga and mindfulness teacher, in private practice. Trained in first aid and CPR. Trained and knowledgeable in natural medicine and health care.
I love to have fun and have a passion for sailing and adventure. A dancer, artist, crafts woman, writer and rock climber. I’m a good cook (veggie/fish/low carb. No meat) and can do so while underway; I have been a chef/partner in a veggie restaurant. I've worked freelance in the media. Worked on motorbike and car engines. I can build structures and fix things. . I’m a bit of a jack of all trades really. I am relatively strong and fit. I’m courageous, I have stamina and I don’t get bored at sea.
I look and feel much younger than my years, I’m quite quirky. I love the ocean, enjoy sea kayaking and I’m a confidant swimmer. I enjoy a simple life. I enjoy being with people and I also enjoy solitude. I’m comfortable with myself, straightforward, open and honest.
I’m hoping to take my Yacht Master practical exam this year and I’m keen to keep on growing as a recreational and professional sailor. I’m available as crew or first mate on a paid or expenses basis.
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References:
Luka completed her Day Skipper Practical Sailing course with us in March 2022
During her time she showed great confidence in her approach to all aspects of the course, and has performed to an excellent standard to be awarded the “Day Skipper Sail” Practical Certificate
I am confident in her ability to perform her duties on any delivery.
David Masters
Principal
Portugal sail & power
Luka crewed for me on SY Bright Star for a day on my Beneteau 321, sailing from Dartmouth to Weymouth across Lyme Bay and around Portland Bill in a southerly Force 5, in September 2022. She was very capable both as a helm and as a crew, always thinking about how best to sail the boat, good communications and good company too. I'd be very happy to have her sail with me again.
William Brook-Hart
Hertfordshire. UK.
Luka joined me on my 'new to me' Etap 28. We sailed from Cattewater in Plymouth to Nos Mayo and back (via Rame Head/Cawsand)
Having never met each other, Luka was good to communicate with prior to our trip and subsequently was a pleasure to sail with. We spent the day learning from each other, taking it in turns to 'Skipper'. Conditions were good with a fresh F5 Easterly to navigate into on a fairly lumpy sea. Healing was fun as Luka's confidence enabled us to put my boat through waters I may not have negotiated on my own. Good tacking was required (and achieved) to get into Wembury Bay and the tricky entrance to the River Yealm. Our piloting skills were put to good use to round Misery Point an hour before low tide. Fore and (later) aft transit's were needed to guide us through 1.5m deep channel, not for the feint hearted with the stiff easterly testing the Etap's broad beam.
Following lunch on a mooring at Noss (allowing tide to go out and come in again over our exit bar), we set sail to run downwind towards Rame Head. Conditions were good through the day and Luka ensured our sail trim was kept in good shape as the Easterly subsided as the afternoon wore on.
A great days sailing with Luka culminated with us motoring back to my trot at Cattewater, where our good communication and close quarter skills made for a quick and simple mooring.
I'd happily sail with Luka again, not only was she competent and experienced, Luka was great fun to be sailing with.
Andy Deighton
'Darcy' Etap 28 owner
Plymouth, UK
Close
Luka: First Mate on challenging month long passage, La Gomera to Gosport.
To whom it may concern, I was lucky to receive, Luka, as crew on a recent delivery trip, starting in La Gomera, Canary Islands, finishing in Gosport, UK via Madeira. We had a wide range of weather on this trip; force 8 winds, large seas, rain and hail. 3 blue water passages and a Channel crossing. A torn mainsail mid-Biscay, various breakages and problems to solve en route (old boat!). Luka handled herself, the crew and the boat with ease throughout, she was actually the only crew member to see it through until the end. Luka is a very competent sailor and importantly always asks questions if she has any doubt. She is not 'gung-ho', she is confident and methodical. She knows how to interpret weather forecasts, complete passage plans and has a great holistic understanding of boats and sailing. She is observant and if she see's something that needs to be done, she does it. She has a wide range of knowledge, experience and is a very thoughtful crew member. She can also comfortably take the lead managing crew during manoeuvres. On a couple of legs on this trip we double-handed, something I do not usually do, but due to an understanding of her ability I felt totally comfortable with it. We completed the trip as a pair and it was extremely smooth. I'd recommend her as crew to anyone and would definitely sail with her again. Given the chance she will exceed your expectations performing any task and is well on the way to becoming a fantastic skipper herself.
20th Apr 2023