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Mal Saunders, male, 65

Ref 48870

Nationality: United Kingdom
Currently based in: Bath, United Kingdom
Looking for: Worldwide opportunities
Experience: 5000 ocean miles / 26000 coastal miles
Having completed a trip in 2022 from Guernsey, via Spain/Portugal/Gibraltar to Gran Canaria to complete the ARC Transatlantic to St Lucia as first mate, I am looking for any interesting opportunities in 2023/24. I have sailed boats of one form or another all my life, and also enjoy cooking, motorbikes, rugby and playing the guitar. I had the opportunity to give up work 8 years ago after a long career in engineering and construction working all over the world, and have now got into volunteering for the local rugby club and a charity, using the skills I learnt at work to help them grow and develop. Hopefully I can bring many skills to a boat as I am currently also helping a friend rescue a 72' schooner and rebuild/refit it to get it back on the water where it belongs. I like to think I can get on with most people, and can find a way to fit in with most crews. I have done loads of offshore sailing (within 150 miles of land), mostly racing on the JOG and RORC calendar over the last 25 years, crossing the channel to France, Holland or around the Channel Islands, and over to Ireland. I have also done a significant number of race weeks (Cowes most years,Ramsgate,Dartmouth,Cork) and cruised from UK to the Med, at various times all round the Med from Gibraltar to France, Italy, Greece, Turkey, Croatia, Tunisia and Egypt, and further afield at Rhode Island and around various of the Caribbean Islands. With only a few Ocean/Bluewater trips under my belt I am looking to venture more in to this aspect of sailing, and to build on my Oceanmaster theory to secure my full YMO qualification.
Smoking: non-smoker
Relationship status: married
Dietary requirements: None, although I do prefer a boat where the crew like to eat well rather than chocolate bars and pot noodle all the time.
Languages: English; Some French and German, and just started learning Turkish
Social Links:


Mal’s Sailing Experience
Number of years sailing: 10+
Sea miles sailed: Ocean: 5000 / Coastal: 26000
Nights at sea: 50+
I have experience as: Captain (Offshore)
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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 x
Keep lookout/watch-keeping x
Trimming sails – mainsail and foresail/jib x
Reefing x
Working the foredeck – setting sails including spinnakers and cruising chutes x
Navigating with GPS and paper charts at sea x
Anchoring and handling anchors x
Cooking at sea x
Using dinghies with outboard motors x
Heaving-to and other heavy weather tactics x

Other nautical or cruising skills
Using a sextant for astro-navigationx
Using VHF radiox
Diesel engine maintenancex
Outboard engine maintenancex
Repairing or making sailsx
Using radarx

Other nautical or relevant qualifications
Qualification Awarding Level Year
STCW Proficiency in Medical Care MCA 2023
Yachtmaster Ocean Theory/Shorebased RYA YMO 2022
Offshore Sea Survival RYA/World Sailing 2019
STCW 95 Maritime and Coastguard Agency UK 2012
CEVNI Test RYA 2009
National Powerboat Crtificate RYA Level 2 2009
Yachtmaster RYA Offshore 2003

Voyage History
Date Boat From/To Miles Role # Crew Rally
2023 Garcia Expedirion 45 Nassau, Bahamas/Norfolk, VA. USA 1000 Watch-leader 2
2022 Garcia Expedition 45 Oporto/Gibraltar 460 Watch-leader 4
2022 Harmony 52 Las Palmas, Gran Canaria/Rodney Bay, St.Lucia 3000 Watch-leader 11 ARC
2022 Garcia Exploration 45 Guernsey/Oporto 650 Watch-leader 2
2012 72 Antigua/Antigua 600 Crew 12 Caribbean 600
2009 40 Cowes/Plymouth 600 Watch-leader 8 Fastnet
2007 40 Cowes/Plymouth 600 Watch-leader 8 Fastnet
2003 37 Cowes /Plymouth 600 Watch-leader 8 Fastnet

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