I joined Pumula a 37m built by Royal Huisman as a day worker between 02/10/2023 - 10/11/2023 in Auckand. Whilst I was onboard, I did various different tasks:

• Winch servicing (Lewmar 88, 111 and 122 Ocean Series)

• Polishing all deck fittings.

• General Maintenance.

• Removed anchor for galvanising and reassembled with kenter link.

• Helped in the engineering department.

• Painting (Awlgrip 545 and Topcoat / Awlcraft).

• Caulking.

• Tender driving (Using the yards).

I joined Black Pearl a 107m built by Oceanco as deckhand in Antigua. Since joining, I crossed the Atlantic logging 4,425 nautical miles. During the crossing and my time onboard, I undertook in:

• Full washdowns, polishing, detailing stainless, general maintenance, line handling, assisting during sailing manoeuvres and rig Wash.

I joined Hetairos a 66m Baltic Yacht as a day worker between 16/02/2023 - 17/02/2023 and 13/11/2023 in Auckland. While I was onboard, I undertook in various tasks:

• Polished the waterline with an electric polisher (3M Cut and Wax, 3M Finesse).

• General maintenance.

• Wash Down

• Drain Clearing

I then rejoined Hetairos between 13/11/2023 - 17/11/2023. While I was onboard this time, I undertook:

• Polishing all deck fittings.

• Boracol the deck.

• Clean scuppers and check for blockages.

• General maintenance.

I joined Drumbeat a 53m Alloy Yacht as deckhand in La Ciotat, since joining I have completed:

• 15 charters with the Owner

• 6 private charters

• 2 Mediterranean seasons covering France, Italy, Sicily, Sardinia, Greece, Corsica, Spain Balearic Islands, Gibraltar, Canary Islands and Cape Verde

• 1 Caribbean season covering Antigua, Barbuda, Saint Barts, Saint Martin, Terre de Haut, Martinique, Saint Lucia, St Vincent and Grenadines, Bequia, Tobago Cays and Union Island  

• 2 Atlantic crossings

• Faroe Islands and West Coast of Scotland

• 15 Months Onboard

I have logged 19,624 nautical miles.

My role onboard was full washdowns, polishing, detailing stainless, general maintenance, dropping the anchor, assisting guests with water sports and driving 2 tenders. A 6.2m Castoldi Jet Tender 182 HP and a 4.5m Rib 60HP.

I undertook general maintenance including varnishing, winch and windlass servicing, line maintenance, docking procedures and other tasks around the boat. I have also supported external contractors in maintaining, servicing and updating the PLC control systems onboard.

Completing Phase 1 of the Cadetship has allowed me to build the foundations I need to become a professional/experienced sailor within the yachting industry. Whilst working towards my Yachtmaster Offshore, I have gained over 2,500 sea miles and have obtained experience in basic engineering and yacht maintenance.

I started at UKSA in September 2020 and have enjoyed all aspects of Phase one training. Due to COVID-19 restrictions, I have had to work in a close ‘bubble’ of both trainees and instructors. Despite these initial restrictions, I have been able to complete all aspects of essential training safely and thoroughly. It’s been a great period of learning and training!

A list of my industry recognised qualifications can be found on the front page of this website.

I am currently working towards my Yachtmaster Offshore practical and to date have completed seven sea phases.

The first sea phase was based in the Solent, learning about how sail boats work and operate.

The second sea phase was skills and drills based including: MOB, mooring buoys under power and sail, mooring onto pontoons sail and power, anchoring and putting sails up and down.

The third was giving us an insight into passages by doing a mini trip from  Hamble to Poole. We then completed two longer passages from Cowes to Eastbourne and back. This is where I did my first skippered passage from Cowes to Eastbourne sailing 300 miles.

The fourth one was on the Farr 65 for 9 days where we did 1090 miles and did not stop the boat from when we left Cowes and returned. We went to the Lundy isles and back.

The fifth sea phase was passages along the south coast where we did 9 days at sea. We had to stop for 2 nights because we had engine problems. This highlighted to me that things can go wrong at times and these events need to be resolved quickly.

The sixth phase, was at sea in the Solent over 8 days, learning more water borne skills and drills.

The seventh sea phase was our self-skipper cruise for 5 days where we visited any of the Solent marinas building on our newly acquired skills.

During all this activity I am studying for my FdSC (Foundation Degree in Operational Yacht Science)

All in all, a very busy period of time in my Phase One UKSA Superyacht Cadetship

Completed Phase 2 - Paid Employment

SCC Offshore sail operations gave me a great opportunity to develop my nautical knowledge and skills, complementing the nautical training I received at unit level.  T.S The City of London is part of the Sea Cadet fleet and was commissioned in June 2017, I was very fortunate to be one of the first groups to set sail on her. I undertook two separate voyages and during one of them we competed in the Small Ships Race

During the two week long cruises sailing on the Rustler 42, I skippered, crewed, night sailed, raced, and helped prepare meals for the crew.

On these cruises I gained the Offshore Hand Level 1 (OH1) with an emphasis on safety which broadly equates to RYA Start Yachting Offshore Hand Level 2 (OH2) Broadly equates to RYA Competent Crew Offshore Seaman (OS) Offshore Watch Leader (OWL) Part of RYA Day Skipper requirement

From the ages of 10 to 18, I attended Weymouth Sea Cadet Unit twice weekly. I completed a variety of waterborne courses and competitions, specialisations and proficiencies such as sailing, powerboating, kayaking, windsurfing and marine engineering.

I have also been on Royal Naval vessels such as HMS Torbay, HMS Daring and HMS Bristol.

During my time with Sea Cadets I completed a number of Waterborne Qualifications and have spent much time on the water:

•  RYA YSS stage 1 - 4 sailing

•  RYA Seamanship Skills and Start Racing

•  RYA Dinghy Instructor Pre-Entry Assessment

•  Offshore – Grade 2 and Sail Seaman

•  Offshore – RYA Competent Crew Sail

•  RYA Powerboat Level 2 Planing, Displacement and Coastal Endorsement

•  Basic Navigation

•  RYA Youth WS Stage 1

•  BCU 1* Kayak (CCK)

•  Basic & amp; Intermediate Marine Engineering

•  First Aid – St Johns Activity First Aid

During my time with the cadets I was taught 6 values that I now use in my everyday life: Respect, Loyalty, Self-discipline, Commitment, Honesty and Integrity. The impact that these words had on me, led me to be given the honour of representing Dorset Sea Cadets as the Lord Lieutenant’s Cadet from October 2017 – October 2018.

I was promoted through the ranks from Junior Cadets to Petty Officer Cadet (the highest rank that can be achieved in the Sea Cadets). When I passed out, I was the highest ranked cadet in the unit. I gained CVQO qualifications and the honour of a Westminster award (See under Other Interests tab)

Who are Sea Cadet Corps (SCC)

Sea Cadets is a national youth charity founded in 1856 and has Queen Elizabeth 11 as Patron. SCC works with 15,000 young people between 10 and 18 years old across the UK. It has over 400 units across England, Scotland, Wales, Northern Ireland, Malta and Bermuda all run by 9,000 volunteers. It aim is to help equip teenagers with all the things they need to cope with and enjoy the big and changing world they're going into.

The platform SCC offers is built on the firm foundations of a Royal Navy ethos and its customs and traditions inspire work and focus of the SCC commitment to supporting teenagers today.  Inspired by the naval traditions, respect and self- discipline which flavour a way of listening to and speaking to each other, and some of our activities, like drill and parade. (https://www.sea-cadets.org/)