MARK WELCH
British Passport (with USA Visas B1/B2)
Health: Excellent, non-smoker. Current ENG1
Languages: English. French and Spanish (Basic)
Interests: Current affairs, Motor bikes, Scuba Diving, Skiing, Cycling, Sailing Flying Fifteen
OBJECTIVE
I am endeavouring to maintain my success as a Captain by obtaining a long term position aboard an active vessel. I have a natural preference for sailing yachts and I would like to develop a mutually beneficial and rewarding relationship with a committed owner. As a professional seafarer I enjoy being involved in high-end operations which have the necessary funding to ensure best possible service and immaculate maintenance and safety.
QUALIFICATIONS
MCA Master 3000GT (Yacht) - completed 1998
MCA Marine Engineer Operators License, Chief Engineer Class 3
GMDSS Radio Operators License
RYA Yachtmaster Ocean (Commercial)
PADI Rescue diver
RYA Dinghy Sailing Instructor
Full, clean UK drivers license
University Sailing Colours
EXPERIENCE
I have spent 20 years as Captain on charter and private yachts both sail and motor up to 56 metres. I have done 6 transatlantic crossings and I have sailed over 140,000 miles covering most areas of the Mediterranean, Northern European waters and the Caribbean. I have also covered both East and West coasts of the USA and the Pacific Ocean from Auckland to Panama, including 2 transits of the Panama Canal. More recently I have also gained experience of the Suez Canal and Red Sea. Prior to obtaining a Captains license I was involved in a shorebased Yacht Management company for 10 years operating in the East Mediterranean.
Since leaving University I have been continuously employed in various areas of the Leisure Yachting Industry. I have accumulated over 25 years of professional experience and have made it my business to have a full time career in this occupation. My enthusiasm for this work has ensured that I have always sought to achieve personal development and progression through the tiers of the sector; I currently hold the highest available professional qualification for Captains working in the superyacht industry and I am endeavoring to find employment commensurate with that certification. I also hold an engineers ticket for private and commercial yachts up to 200 tons.
Duties that correspond with being the Captain of private and charter leisure vessels are many and varied and I believe that I possess many of the abilities and skills required.
CAREER HISTORY
2009-2010
During the last two years I have been working on various 56 metre Perini Navi Ketches. I spent 4 months as relief Captain in California aboard S/Y ZENJI, prior to that I took over S/Y BURRASCA during an owner charter in Italy and I was subsequently retained for 8 months to oversee a winter maintenance programme and yard work including hull painting in La Spezia, Italy. I have also done an Atlantic Crossing aboard S/Y SELENE.
In addition I have done relief work on S/Y MIKADO, S/Y GALAXIA and S/Y ANEMOS
2008
In 2008 I was Captain aboard S/Y GEORGIA during the last part of her refit and I then took the yacht to France to re-step the mast. Once she was ready for going to sea again, we went to the Suez Canal via Greece & Cyprus and into the Red Sea with the live-aboard owner and frequent guests.
This yacht is an MCA Cayman Flag Commercial Vessel managed by Camper & Nicholson, Antibes.
2006-2007
This was my first command of a Perini Navi - actually one of the original two sister ships. On S/Y CHRISTIANNE B we did extensive cruising in the Mediterranean with the owner, his family guests and charterers. We did a winter in Palma for substantial upgrade works plus two Italian haulouts in Cala Galera & Genoa.
The yacht was also presented in both the Monaco & Genoa Boat Shows.
This vessel is an MCA London registered Commercial Vessel used Privately and Charter through Cavendish White.
2005
S/Y THALIA is a stunning Vitters Ketch designed by Ron Holland. I took over from the outgoing captain in Greece for completion of the owners summer plans and subsequently took the yacht to Holland and into the Isjseelmeer for a major refit.
2004 - 2005
S/Y PARAISO was a new build from Alloy Yachts in New Zealand. I joined as Captain for the owners fit-out, launch, sea trials and the delivery to Tahiti for the owners first cruise.
We then took the yacht to Costa Rica, through the Panama Canal to Antigua and on to Newport Rhode Island.
2002 - 2004
As Captain on the first 34 metre Swan S/Y Song of the Sea we covered over 11000 miles with the live aboard owners. I joined in Palma and took the yacht to San Francisco. We were the star of the show at the BVI Swan Regatta and also visited many great locations along the way.
1994 to 2002
I have worked on many smaller yachts in my career and detailed information is available if required. I have worked my way up from being a freelance captain based in Turkey and then on to full-time employment as a Captain once I became qualified. I have completed contracts for private owners as well as charter yachts. I have covered many thousands of miles including Atlantic crossings and I have comprehensive knowledge of most areas of the Mediterranean.
Some of the work was short-term or relief and other jobs have been permanent appointments. The names are here for general information:
M/Y Grasshopper - 24m Technema
S/Y Evening Star - 21m Jongert Sloop
S/Y Runaway - 34m Valdetarro Sloop
M/Y Nonos - Horizon Elegance 76
M/Y Feng Shui - Ferretti 80
S/Y Jasmin - Jongert 19
S/Y Impression - Jongert 26
S/Y Owl of Abersoch - Moody Grenadier
S/Y Evening Star - 21m Jongert Sloop
S/Y Runaway - 34m Valdetarro Sloop
M/Y Nonos - Horizon Elegance 76
M/Y Feng Shui - Ferretti 80
S/Y Jasmin - Jongert 19
S/Y Impression - Jongert 26
S/Y Owl of Abersoch - Moody Grenadier