Please tell us a bit about yourself
I am a Commercially Endorsed Yachtmaster and have logged 45,000 miles. I learned to sail with the Sea Scouts in the early-1970s, then moved onto yachts in the 1980’s and did a lot of racing. This led on to sailing around the world in the early-1990s as First Mate on a Challenger 67 in Chay Blyth’s very first “wrong way round the world” race. My sailing was limited over the next 25 years or so due to work and family, but after I retired from my office job in 2020, I started to volunteer 8-10 weeks a year for TSYT and other sail training charities. I also qualified as an RYA Navigation Instructor in 2024 and worked with Sue Geary to present TSYTs first Day Skipper Shorebased Theory course for young people in 2025.
Please tell us a bit about your role at Tall Ships Youth Trust
I am a volunteer mate. I support the skipper to run the boat and work with them, and the watch leaders, to deliver our youth development programmes enjoyably and safely. I also get involved in repairing things that break and have developed a particular niche in sorting out “problems” with the heads!
What has been your most memorable moment at Tall Ships Youth Trust?
Any time we slightly change the trajectory of a young life for the better is memorable. One voyage that comes to mind involved a school group. One of the young people picked things up very quickly. He became the go-to person for his school mates on the boat who had not learned as quickly as him. The obvious confidence boost this gave him was remarkable. The school’s deputy head – who was on the voyage – told us the young person would never have achieved this in a normal school setting.
What is one thing you think people should know about Tall Ships Youth Trust?
Although we deliver our programme on boats, youth development is more important than learning to sail.
Please describe your job in three words
Demanding, Rewarding, Fun
If you were famous, what would you be famous for?
Very dark tea, I really do like it deep coppery brown!
