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Matt Gander

Currently preparing to skipper from Ellos (Sweden) to Neustadt, HR 342

Profile

Adventurous and highly motivated I have a passion for sailing and travel. With a technical and practical background I have successfully applied my ingenuity and problem solving skills to the challenging world of yachts. My strong communication skills, determination and humour enable me to perform at the highest level.

Sailing Qualifications

RYA Cruising Instructor
RYA / MCA Yachtmaster Offshore (Commercially endorsed)
Basic Training
- Elementary First Aid
- PSSR
- Basic Fire Awareness
- Personal Survival
RYA Level 2 Dingy
PADI Open Water Diving Cert.
MCA / RYA Yachtmaster & Coastal Skipper Theory
GMDSS Long Range Radio Certificate & Satellite Endorsement
RYA Diesel Engine Maintenance
RYA Radar
RYA Powerboat Level 2
NCFE Professional Development Certificate of the Outdoor Industry

Sailing Experience

I first became interested in boats restoring an 18' 1953 Carvel built Estuary Cruiser with my Father becoming a competent boat handler around the Norfolk broads. I progressed

from sailing dinghies to yachts and completed my yachtmaster with UKSA where I gained experience as skipper and navigator on yachts ranging from a 45’ Elan to a 67’ BT Global challenge.

I have since gained working knowledge of most electrical and mechanical systems found onboard whilst skipper for PYDWW. Pre-departure checks, condition reports, safety briefs, provisioning, engine checks, rigging, electrical fault finding, weather routing, pilotage have all become my key skills to ensure a safe an enjoyable passage.

Having experienced varying conditions on both trans-Atlantic and trans-Pacific passages I am a competent, short-handed, heavy weather sailor with a healthy respect for the se

Yacht Deliveries

*Date*	*Boat*	*Route*	*Position*
May 06	Hallberg Rassy 37	Ellos (Sweden)– Neustadt (Germany)	Skipper
April 06	First 27.7	Gosport - Isle of Man	Skipper
April 06	Hallberg Rassy 37	Ellos (Sweden)– Neustadt (Germany)	Skipper
April 06	First 31.7	Hamble - Plymouth	Skipper
Mar 06	Ocenais 42	Gruissan (France) – Dubrovnik (Croatia)	Skipper
Mar 06	Oceanis 343	Frejus (France) – Vounaki (Greece)	Skipper
Oct 05	Ketch 90	Gibraltar - Antigua (Caribbean)	1^st mate
Sept 05	Reflex 38	Hamble - Cardiff	1^st mate
Sept 05	Hallberg-Rassy 342	Sweden - UK	1^st mate
Aug 05	Hallberg-Rassy 37	Germany - UK	1^st mate
July 05	Hallberg-Rassy 46	France - Portugal	1^st mate
June 05	Hallberg-Rassy 563	Spain - Carribean	1^st mate
Sept 04	K&M Bestevaer 60	USA - Australia	1^st mate
Aug 04	Benateau 57	France - UK	1^st mate
July 04	Peterson 44	USA - UK	Crew
June 04	Swan 411	Southampton - Levington	Crew

Other Qualifications

PhD Physics Heriot-Watt University
BSc(Hons) Applied Physics 1st Class
3 A Levels, 9 GCSE's

Work History

2000-03 Research Associate Heriot-Watt University
1996-2000 PhD Edinburgh

My research focussed on taking aerodynamic measurements from some of the most inhospitable places including jet engines, C4 explosions and more recently the Beagle 2 Mars Lander. This required optical, mechanical and electrical engineering skills

Other duties:

Project management (budget, target setting and time management)
Supervision and management of PhD students
Lecturing to Undergraduate students
Liaising between institutions
Acquisitions
Web and presentation design (HTML, Flash, Powerpoint)
Computer hardware installation

References available on request.

email: contact.matt@gander.me.uk