His experience of the private yachting industry started in 1983 when he became a deckhand / steward on board a privately owned Riva 60 Corsaro in Antibes, South of France. After a summer of extensive cruising in the Western Med, he enjoyed the
season so much that he came back each summer for a further 5 years to carry out the same role. Winter seasons at this time were spent as a ski guide and rep for a UK ski company in Val d’Isere, France.
His skipper at the time actively assisted and encouraged Chris to gain his own qualifications, and he duly became a skipper in his own right in 1988. Over the next 12 years Chris was Captain of several vessels from 50’ to 85’ and later became First Officer on two “megayachts” of 150’ plus. |
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With extensive travel of the Mediterranean and several Atlantic crossings to the Caribbean and back, Chris has covered countless thousands of sea miles carrying out charter and owner commitments. In doing so he’s gained an extraordinary knowledge of the business and an understanding of owners and their particular requirements.
In 2000 Chris returned to the UK to work with Europe’s largest supplier of boats, Peters plc, and has performed a variety of roles within the Company. These included being a PDI Inspector and the Company’s on-site representative at the Fairline factory, responsible for overseeing the cosmetic quality control of each and every Peter’s boat to come off the production lines.
Chris became the Skipper co-ordinator back at Chichester in 2002 where he was responsible for conducting demos, PDI sea trials, full technical handovers of vessels to owners, and deliveries of vessels throughout Europe. Managing up to 8 sub-contract skippers Chris was also responsible for scheduling all boat movements including Southampton and London Boat Shows.
Chris is now 47 years old and the Father of two delightful girls, Natasha (15) and Tamara (13). In January 2005 he married Susie and is now father to Benjamin (9 months), and Fergus the bump! |
