Marine Experience
Graham has sailed various Benneteaux along the Eastern coast of South Africa, ranging from East London to Maputo (Mocambique), as well as Bavaria SV in the Langebaan area of the Eastern Cape (SA).
He completed a South Atlantic crossing on a Leopard 47 (Area 51) from Cape Town to Fortaleza (Brazil) ending in St Lucia in the Caribbean, delivering the catamaran to Moorings Charter Base.
After the delivery, Graham worked his way through the islands, assisting in the passage of a 47' Outremer from Antigua to St. Maarten. Finding himself in Fort Lauderdale, Graham did a delivery of a Hatteras 75 to Bimini (mate), and worked to refurbish a sport fisher before being taken up by Sweet Pea, a 127' Abeking Rasmusen MV, where he started off doing day work and was then employed for the season sailing from Fort Lauderdale to St Kitts and back, with various other excursions through the islands. The following season, Graham worked on the new Sweet Pea, a 165' Feadship of about 650 tons, doing day work for Captain Sally Wilkins (references available). Graham was then employed as mate on Portofino, in Hollywood Fl, shortly after which he was injured in a shore-side mishap, having to return home to recuperate (a shoulder seperation AC2). Graham returned to the industry as second engineer on Sweetpea in Seattle on 02 November 2008. Upon arrival in Fort Lauderdale, the owner indicated a need to cut staff as the boat was put up for sale. Graham departed the boat on 18 February, 2009.
Graham comes with solid references, and is sure to be an asset within any crew situation. He is a solid team player,works for his keep, has no delusions of grandeur, mixes well, is inclined to view life positively and steer well clear of inter-personal or yacht politics.
Diesel and other engine experience / exposure:
** Massey Ferguson 35X tractor (drove tractor – ploughing - on farm years before I drove a car. Helped in running maintenance and servicing)
** Serviced engines (VW 14 & 1600 cc 4 cyl; VW 2200cc 5 cyl; Ford 14 & 1600cc 4 cyl; Toyota 2200cc 4 cyl 4x4; Honda 1500cc 4 cyl)
** Military service SADF all diesel. Operational unit - running maintenance only - of light and light/medium diesels (Toyota, Mercedes truck and SAMAG – Mercedes based platform). Not employed in maintenance corps, so this was merely a “keep it moving” function.
** Yanmar and Volvo engines over 7 months. Running maintenance on shared basis during coastal sailing off SA east coast, SA Cape coast and Atlantic crossing.
** Engine room aspects
Deck experience:
High pressure spray painting; Two part teak treatment; Varnish work; Wood prep.; Dremmel; Power buffing; Bright-work; Tender (single engine): Lines & fending; Watch keeping; Plotting; Navigation; Passage planning; Gelcoat; Line repair; Anchoring; Radar and chart; Crane; Safety
Other experience / exposure:
Plumbing – Managed a domestic and commercial plumbing company as works manager for a year, often on a hands-on basis. Experience in PVC, copper, soldering, galvanised. Supply and soil.
Maintenance and refurbishing of AC motors (Impeller and drill) – non professional.
Graham's comfortable with captaining a yacht within his licence limits, navigation, passage planning, watch keeping, meteorology, 2 part teak prep; varnish; high pressure spray painting; plumbing; high pressure cleaning; dremmel work; basic gelcoating; sanding; power buffing and much more. He would like more involvement in all facets of the engine room (engines, refrigeration, water purification, air conditioning, computer management systems, dive centre) and any work would ideally allow him this exposure.
He has sailed in the region of 19 000NM at date of website completion. He is happy with Charter or Private work, under Motor or Sail.