Below are the profiles of the key members of the team undertaking the repairs to Gipsy Moth IV in New Zealand.
Richard Baggett, GMIV Lead Skipper |
Richard is the lead skipper for Gipsy Moth IV and has been deeply involved in every aspect of the project since the very beginning. Richard flew out to Rangiroa the day after Gipsy Moth IV struck the reef and has been with the boat ever since.
Richard has worked for the UKA for the past 8 years and has an enormous amount of sailing and maintenance experience from his years working in the superyacht industry. Richard will skipper Gipsy Moth IV from Auckland to Sydney once the repairs are completed.
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Chris Fewtrell, Shift Leader |
Chris Fewtrell has played a key role for the project in New Zealand even before the yacht arrived. It was through Chris's connections in the industry that we were able to secure the support of Emirates team New Zealand. In addition Chris worked tirelessly to promote the project in New Zealand and to identify the skilled labour required to carry out the work. With Chris's background in sailing and through his experiences with the GBR team he has been an invaluable asset to the project. |
Bob Wilson, Project Manager |
Bob Wilson has been a boat builder for 40 years. He started working for his father Brin Wilson & went on to run the business after Brin’s death in 1974. He is now runs a marine consultancy after selling the boat building business approximately six years ago & is project managing the Gipsy Moth repair. |
John Macdonald, Marine Surveyor |
John Macdonald Marine Services Ltd. were contacted by the UKSA team shortly after Gipsy Moth IV struck the reef at Rangiroa. John is a highly respected member of the marine industry in New Zealand and was a great help to the project. Despite his existing commitment John flew out to Tahiti to undertake the initial survey of the damage to the yacht. This was followed by an infra-red survey when the yacht arrived in New Zealand. John is working closely with the team undertaking the repairs to ensure that the work is completed to the required standard. |
Nigel Clarke, Shift Leader |
Nigel Clarke has been a great help to the project, running the night shift. Nigel is a very experienced sailor & has worked with the last GBR challenge. Coming from the UK Nigel is now enjoying life in Auckland with his wife & daughter. |
Sean Regan, Team NZ |
Sean Regan is the project manager for the building of the ETNZ boats. Sean has been a great help to the project in helping the Gipsy Moth IV team with the facilities at the Emirates Team New Zealand base in Auckland. |
Martin Bubenzer, Shipwright |
Martin Bubenzer has been a boat builder for 20 years. He is currently contracting to Nick Saul the current owner of Brin Wilson Marine Ltd. He has been one of the main shipwrights on the project, working on the hull repair & refitting of interior. |
Michel Bel, Marine Electrician
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Michel Bell is working for Electrics Afloat Ltd. (EAL). He is a marine electrician who is carrying out test & repairs to all electrical systems including replacing a large proportion of the interior wiring on the starboard side. |
Jamie Bruce, Boat Builder |
Jamie Bruce has a local boat building repair company call Fuimus Marine. He is a qualified shipwright & has worked on projects such as Stormy Weather and Shenandoah. He enjoys a challenge & has been a great asset to the project. We would recommend him to any future employer. |
Colin Davidson, Shipwright |
Colin Davidson has been a shipwright for 15 years, working for Colin Brown shipwrights Ltd. He has been working with Martin Bubenzer on the main repair & interior. |
Phil Chatfield, Marine Engineer |
Phil Chatfield has been in marine engineering for 40 years. He served his time with his father at Chatfield Engineering before taking over the business. Phil has supplied the replacement keel bolts at a knocked down rate & is pictured lending a hand at the fitting stage.
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Craig Hamer
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Craig Hamer is 4th year apprentice for Brian wilson. He has been working on the hull repair as a ship wright. His work has been to a very high standard. Richard Baggett has been very impressed with the skills of both apprentices & would recommend them to any future employer.
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Johnny Ellis
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Johnny Ellis is in his 5th year of his apprenticeship with Brian Wilson. He has also been working as a shipwright on the hull repair. Johnny has been an essential member of the team. Richard Baggett has been very impressed with the skills of both apprentices & would recommend them to any future employer. |
