Dave Monks, male, 65
Ref 43567
| Nationality: | United Kingdom |
| Currently based in: | Isle of Skye, United Kingdom |
| Looking for: | Worldwide opportunities |
| Experience: | 8000 ocean miles / 2000 coastal miles |
| Hi. My name is Dave and I've just retired from my last job as a lecturer and tutor with the University of the Highlands and Islands. I have a background in the army, in aeronautical engineering, computing (operating, not programming), writing, medicine (as a dentist), teaching and travel. I have been sailing coastal waters in my home waters around the Hebrides in Western Scotland for 20 years. I learned how to sail on dinghies, and have sailed my own yachts for 20 years, usually single handed or occasionally short handed. I am an RYA Coastal Skipper with Yachtmaster Offshore Theory. I am also a qualified Commercial Powerboat (Advanced) skipper. I'm interested in finding a position as a Delivery Crew, Mile building, Competent Crew or Deckhand. I'm mechanically minded and know my way round an engine. I've also done the STCW 95, so have the usual first aid, fire fighting and sea survival stuff, as well as RYA VHF qualifications. Despite loving where I live, I'm not a great fan of the Scottish Winter and would love to get away to warm climes. In 2021-22, I crossed the Atlantic, with a friend, on my Colvic UFO 34. We travelled to the Canaries independently and joined with a small rally called the Viking Explorers. It was an eventful voyage, being knocked down, losing our self steering for a week, and losing our satellite comms, but it was also a great experience. I skipper my own yacht but would be very happy to work aboard a yacht skippered by someone with experience and happy to take orders and work as crew. I'm open to learn from fellow sailors and happy to work under orders. I can work shifts and watches and don't ever complain about being woken up at 2 in the morning to stand my watch. I can happily work alone, or as a part of a crew. I don't have an ego that needs massaging! I just love sailing in all its forms. I can cook, work below in a seaway, work shifts, keep watch, navigate, passage plan, pilot in close waters and now I'm retired, I just want to become the best seaman I can be. I have always been extremely interested in wildlife, especially birdlife. and I have a great part-time Summer job as a powerboat skipper, taking groups of 12 around the Hebridean islands in a 600 Hp RIB to show them the birds on the sea cliffs and the cetaceans we are so lucky to have in our waters. I really love my job and miss it in Winter. I'm pretty independent and my long suffering partner of 20 years is indecently happy with my plans to get away over winter, but if things turn sour during a voyage and we have to part company for any reason, I can always find my own way home. Let's face it. Not everyone will get on with everyone else, despite all best intentions! I'm an optimist but I'm not naive! On a happier note, I am very tolerant, am always mindful of other people and crew members in confined spaces and I hope pretty unannoying. I'm happy to Skype, or videoconference, and chat informally. Not sure If I've missed anything. If I have, just ask! | |
| Smoking: | non-smoker |
| Relationship status: | partnered |
| Dietary requirements: | None. I'll eat anything and try anything. I'm a pretty good cook if I say so myself. I do all the cooking at home. |
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| Number of years sailing: | 10+ |
| Sea miles sailed: | Ocean: 8000 / Coastal: 2000 |
| Nights at sea: | 50+ |
| I have experience as: | Captain (Offshore) |
| Sailing Skills | Experienced I have done this many times and am confident to help others less experienced. I am happy doing this day |
Competent I am competent doing this in daylight, or if there is someone more experienced with me |
Basic I have only done this a few times, but I am willing to learn |
None I have not done this before |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Steer a compass course |  | |||
| Keep lookout/watch-keeping | | |||
| Trimming sails – mainsail and foresail/jib | | |||
| Reefing | | |||
| Working the foredeck – setting sails including spinnakers and cruising chutes | | |||
| Navigating with GPS and paper charts at sea | | |||
| Anchoring and handling anchors | | |||
| Cooking at sea | | |||
| Using dinghies with outboard motors | | |||
| Heaving-to and other heavy weather tactics | |
Other nautical or cruising skills |
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|---|---|
| Using a sextant for astro-navigation | |
| Using VHF radio | |
| Diesel engine maintenance | |
| Outboard engine maintenance | |
Voyage History |
||||||
| Date | Boat | From/To | Miles | Role | # Crew | Rally |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | Colvic UFO 34 | Isle of Skye/Grenada | 5 | Captain | 2 | Viking Explorers (part) |
| 2019 | UFO34 | Essex/Skye | 1000 | Captain | 2 | None |
| 2008 | Tall Ship | Azores/Southampton | 2000 | Watch-leader | 40 | None |
| 20 | Many monohulls | Hebrides/Hebrides | 2000 | Captain | 1 | None |
