Ben Wheatley

Experience

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  TOPSAIL CHARTERS LIMITED

  Jul 2003 - Sept 2004

  Sailing Barge Mate

  Sailing as Mate, mostly on board SB Hydrogen, but also time as Mate on SB Thistle, SB Reminder, SB Cabby. Supporting the skipper with delivery of charters and daysails around the Thames Estuary, River Blackwater and surrounding areas. This role included a combination of time sailing between Spring and Autumn, and then maintenance activities over the winter including rigging, woodworking and all the other traditional crafts needed to maintain a 100+ year old wooden vessel.

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  NORTHERN MARINE MANAGEMENT LIMITED

  Sept 2004 - Feb 2013

  Deck Officer

  Sailing as Bosun from 2004 to 2008 and then promoted to Third Officer, Second Officer and Chief Officer between 2008 and 2011, these roles were held on board the TSYT Brigs Stavros S Niarchos and Prince William, UK-flagged sail training square riggers.Traditional Maintenance Skills, Traditional and Modern Navigation, People management, team leadership and general seamanship disciplines were learnt to a high standard and delivered in high-pressure situations in waters from the Mediterranean to the UK, Scandinavia, Atlantic and Carribean. Show less

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  Trinity Sailing Foundation

  Feb 2013 - Apr 2019

  Sailing as skipper of each of the foundation's traditional wooden sailing vessels; Leader, Provident and Golden Vanity. Delivering sail training voyages and adult charter holidays around the English Channel, West Coast of Scotland and Scandinavian waters.When not sailing, refit works were undertaken on all three of the organisation's vessels; working alongside contractors and supported by volunteer workers to achieve work to a fixed deadline.This included learning skills in many maintenance disciplines including rigging, sail repairs, woodworking and electrics. Show less

  • Operations Manager

    Oct 2015 - Apr 2019

  • Skipper

    Feb 2013 - Oct 2015
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  Seas Your Future

  May 2019 - now

  This role has involved taking command of the TS 'Pelican of London' - a three-masted sail training square rigger, and delivering challenging voyages around the UK, Northern Europe, SW Europe, North Atlantic Waters, Caribbean, Central America and sometimes Eastern Pacific.Within that role responsibility has been taken for the 47 crewmembers on board and their overall management, wellbeing and their experience of time at sea.An extensive knowledge of traditional and modern navigation has been put to good use every week, both in following good practice and also teaching trainees/cadets.When not sailing, refit and drydocking periods with the vessel have been planned and executed including regular liaison with yard staff, contractors, PSC inspectors, Surveyors, MCA representatives and other stakeholders. Organisational skills have been honed and tested to achieve these goals. Show less

  • Technical Engineering Manager (Superintendent) and Relief Master

    Jan 2024 - now

  • Master

    May 2019 - Jan 2024
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  South West Marine Consultants

  Jan 2024 - now

  Consultant

  This Marine Consultancy role includes Draught Surveying, Pilotage work and Safety Management System Audits.