Watch: Sailing NOVAS - Delivery - Exiting Horn of Africa (Somalia to Socotra)
Captain, Delivery Captain, - Sail & Motor
Yacht captain with sailing and motor command, ocean deliveries and refit experience. 51,000 NM logged, 2,000+ days at sea, command from 12 m to 51 m (largest command 51 m / 499 GT) across the Atlantic, Pacific, Mediterranean, Red Sea and Arabian Sea.
SEEKING: Captain (sail or motor), Delivery Captain, or Mate on sailing yachts for deliveries. Available now, willing to relocate. Based in the Canary Islands.
EXPERIENCE (newest first)
Captain, Bali 5.4 sailing catamaran, Dream Yacht Charter, Balearics, 06/2026 - 09/2026
Principal Captain and Owner's Representative, WavePirates.com, 06/2020 - Present
Captain, MY Windora (Damen FCS 2610, 25.75 m, Jersey flag), CargoKite GmbH, 05/2025 - 05/2026
Delivery Captain, SY Novas, two deliveries during leave from Ocean Warrior: Turkey to Jeddah (09/2024); Djibouti to UAE via Socotra and Oman (02/2025)
Captain, M/V Ocean Warrior (51 m, 499 GT, Dutch flag), Sea Shepherd Global, 12/2023 - 01/2025
Head of Maintenance, Lava Yacht Charter, 12-boat fleet, 10/2018 - 11/2019
Refit of a 24 m tourist submarine, 2024: refit supervision and 3 days of testing
QUALIFICATIONS
RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean (Power & Sail), commercial, 200 GT. Spanish Capitán de Yate Unlimited 3000GT (PPER - Comercial). STCW Basic Safety, STCW Advanced Medical Care, ENG1, Spanish Maritime Medical, GMDSS GOC, MCA AEC 1 and 2, ECDIS (STCW, IMO Model Course 1.27), PDSD, HELM Operational Level, STCW Prevention and Response to Violence and Harassment (UK MGN 718), PADI Divemaster. Court Surveyor (Perito Judicial), Spain. PhD Business Sciences.
LANGUAGES: Spanish (native), German (native), English (fluent), Italian (basic). Non-smoker, no alcohol, no tattoos.
zinhard.com | linkedin.com/in/zinhard
Close
Working as a deckhand under Captain Tristan Zinhard
Working as a deckhand under Captain Tristan Zinhard aboard Windora was a transformative experience for my maritime career. Tristan is a commanding presence who runs a tight, disciplined, and exceptionally safe ship, but his greatest asset to a crew is his passion for instructing. From day one, he took an active role in my professional development, conducting hands-on training in hull machinery, corrosion mitigation, structural integrity assessments, and advanced deck operations. He possesses a rare teaching ability, translating complex mechanical and meteorological concepts into clear, actionable logic on deck, even during high-stress situations. Tristan expects precision in watchkeeping and maintenance, but he gives you the exact tools and knowledge to achieve it. As a delivery captain, his deep technical expertise guarantees the vessel is cared for like his own, and his leadership ensures the crew operates at peak efficiency. I would sign onto any transit under his command without hesitation.
26th May 2026