I was born in New Zealand and have lived close to the sea all my life.
My professional maritime career began in 2000, I gained early sea time experience working aboard commercial cruise vessels close to home in New Zealand’s Marlborough Sounds.
At the age of 16, under supervision, I was allowed control of a 20m vessel. Soon after, I gained my Inshore Launch Master’s Certificate of Competence.
When I was promoted to captain a tourist vessel, I was one of the youngest skippers in New Zealand. These formative years of boat handling and seamanship in often variable weather and sea conditions have given me a deep respect for sea and the maritime industry.
In 2008, I entered the world of super yachts on the Mediterranean Sea onboard a 52m motor yacht earning the position of bosun. In 2010 I gained my first international commission as captain of MY Oomka.
I have captained vessels cruising Italy, France, Spain, Montenegro, Croatia, Greece, Turkey, Singapore, Thailand, India, Maldives and New Zealand accumulating around 200,000 NM as captain of both charter and private vessels.
During this time, I was involved in the build of three new vessels giving me a comprehensive overview of all aspects of modern yacht design.
