My name is Pete and I'm a construction Rigger by trade. I started sailing a few years ago and have completed a few relevant courses including RYA Comp Crew, RYA Essential Nav and Seamanship, RYA Diesel Maintenance and RYA Day Skipper. As you can see sailing has been absorbing me.

I've been gaining some miles and good experience recently. Earlier last year I crewed on a trip from Port Douglas to Darwin.

In August I was on a course (Day Skipper) from the Gold Coast to Hammilton Island but unfortunately couldn't stick around for race week. After a couple of weeks at home I crewed a delivery from Sydney to Newcastle with kind winds and the cruising spinnaker up for around 6 hours straight which was a brilliant sail.

In September I crewed on a 35 foot Aluminium sloop from Newcastle to Brisbane with really fun skippers (2 brothers) and crew. We basically laughed our way all the way up the coast.

In October I helped to bring a 36 footer back to Bundaberg from Townsville after it was up there for Magnetic Island Race week. The skipper on that trip was a Master 5 and yachting instructor and a had the benefit of his knowledge for a couple of weeks.

December took me across the Tasman from Lord Howe Island, Australia to Opua, NZ. This was my first ocean crossing. 3 Blokes and no auto pilot kept us busy for the 8 day crossing. I was blessed with a substantial amount of experience on this trip with an RYA trainer / assessor as Skipper and also a Polish sailing instructor as 1st Mate.

February was a delivery from Newcastle NSW to Adlaide SA through the Bass Strait in a 40 year old steel Ketch which was a replica of Bernard Montissier's 'Joshua'. The Skipper on that had been twice around the world and he taught me about the Zen of sailing.

May was my second ocean crossing from Sydney to Noumea via Lord Howe Island with a couple of young surfers hunting the ultimate barrel.

All this tallies to a bit over 6500 Nm including 200 odd night hours.

clean & tidydiligenteasy-goingenthusiasticfriendlytrustworthyrarely/unlikely seasickopen minded

I work in the Oil and Gas industry and my profession requires my to stay current in qualifications including basic fire fighting, first aid and offshore survival. I also have to complete a comprehensive medical every 2 years so there is very little risk of illness on my part. I'm a very handy problem solver and enjoy getting my hands dirty and fixing things. My rigging background may come in handy as well.

After taking life a little too seriously for the last 12 months in managing a company it's now time to get some balance back and work towards my sailing dreams rather than the corporate life.

I'm used to shared living environments and know the importance of getting along with people in confined spaces. My usual working environment is sharing accommodation on large construction support vessel with 300 other people and without respecting your co-workers you do get very far out there.

In terms of interests I enjoy kayaking, swimming and golf but I wouldn't boast about my handicap. I like a beer as much as the next bloke and certainly fit the hard working yet laid back Australian reputation. I'm quick with a joke and fairly well read with no religious or political sensitivities.

My strength would be my engagement with all boat systems. I'm big on double checking. Navigation, Safety, Maintenance, Rigging etc could all use a fresh set of eyes when people are sleep deprived on long passages.

share experienceseek adventureface challengesgain experience

I have plans to eventually pack up my shore based life and buy a boat to go cruising.