Cruising Instructor & former RAF Officer looking for a position as Captain, 1st Mate, 1st Officer or Security Officer.
Hi - I've just joined Crewbay. I'm interested in finding a position as a Captain, 1st Mate, 1st Officer, or Security Officer.
It's quite ironic that I was commissioned into the Royal Air Force and not the Royal Navy considering my love for the water and apprehension of flying. Having said that, I did have my gliding flying license at the age of 16, a year before my RYA Level 5. My flying qualifications stopped there and I went on to gain my RYA Dinghy Instructor, RYA Race Instructor, and then through to becoming an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore and Oceanmaster (theory). I have recently had my Yachtmaster Offshore Commercially Endorsed.
My sailing experience is extensive and ranges from dinghies through to 80-footers. Sailing in the military was rewarding; it emphasized the importance of teamwork, sailing in conditions that were more 'expedition' focused rather than 'fun', and really was a solid basis to build on. Coupled with this 'expedition' style of sailing whilst in the military, I also took away training trips to introduce novices to a more gentle pace of sailing in warmer shores. I have since been routinely sailing throughout the Medditerean, the Caribbean, and Asia but with more emphasis on fun than adventure. I know what makes a memorable trip a good memory instead of a bad memory!
I left the military over 20 years ago so please do not think that I am rigid, authoritarian, and all of those other stereotypes. During the military, I was more security-focused so not barking orders and drilling personnel. Since the military, I have had worked in the Health & Fitness industry, lived for four years in Indonesia working with farmers and fishermen within a free-trade-type commodities set-up, then event management, followed by domotics; this included automation (Crestron, Control4, Lutron, Rako, Somfy), electronic security, and networking.
So, why am I on here? I have always wanted to just be on boats but family circumstances would been too restrictive. Had I had done this before, I would have been a different person, trying to balance family life and work life. My absolute priority would not have been to the boat, the crew, or the owner. It now will be. I can now also appreciate the needs of a family whereas before, perhaps, I would not have had that understanding.
I would ideally like to find a skipper role but would equally appreciate a first mate position on a larger vessel. I am very easy-going and very well organised. I take care of myself and take pride in whatever I do; I do not cut corners.
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