I'm a 33 year old forester who besides the forests, has a passion for the salty seas and the sailing and island/coastal lifestyle.
Availability:
I currently have a full-time job. However during European summer I will be relatively flexible, also for trips on short notice. With some weeks in advance I might also be able to go for three to five weeks.
Sailing Experience:
I acquired the RYA Day Skipper Certificate (sailing, practical, tidal) in 2011 in New Zealand, since I wanted to feel more confident in sailing and handling a sailing vessel on my own. A few years beforehand New Zealand was also the country where I did my first 'sailing steps' through dinghy sailing and with skilled sailors on a self-built 38ft catamaran. Through my studies in southern Germany I had then a longer break with no sailing. However, in 2016 I got back on the water by joining a sailing vessel for over 5 weeks (as crew, mate and a couple of days as (co-) skipper) and since have been trying to sail twice a year. In spring 2018 I did the STCW10 course.
So far I gained experience sailing in New Zealand, Fiji (aprox. 400 nm), the Mediterranean, the Atlantic and North Atlantic (over 2000 nm, 65 night hours). I also worked for a whale and dolphin research foundation where I was responsible for looking after guests on board and helped with docking procedures (aprox.160 hrs on board). Through friends working on super yachts I at least know about the work and expectations of working on bigger vessels in a professional environment though I haven't gained experience in this field myself yet.
Plans & interests
Keep gaining experience. I'm planning to spend extra work hours and old holidays on the water crewing, maybe crewing professionally or maybe being a skipper myself?! I'm open and interested in all sorts of navigation from coastal (tidal and non-tidal) to offshore, curising, deliveries, mile building, anything.