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Latest News
22/07/2010 - Classic Mylne Ketch Returns to Greece
 pyd are proud to have been selected to help deliver 'Alinda V', a classic 78' LOA ketch, back to her owner in Greece this summer. This Mylne-designed gentleman's cruiser was built on the Clyde in 1934 as 'Fiumara' and is now being restored to the highest specification by Southampton Yacht Services in her original style.
(Picture: A Mylne & Co)
21/07/2010 - pyd Bring Back a Brace of Princesses
 pyd have received the unusual instruction from leading global marine insurance company Pantaenius to bring back a Princess 58 and Princess 57 from southern Ireland to the Hamble for repairs. Two specialist crews were flown into Cork to join the boats. The delivery passage across the Irish Sea and up-Channel is being made under escort by an appointed tug, and under strict wind and sea state limitations, for safety reasons. This prestigious task reflects pyd's flexibility and multi-role capabilities on all types of vessel, sail or power, anywhere in the world.
07/07/2010 - Another pyd skipper approaches the 100+ deliveries mark
 Long standing pyd skipper Bryan Walker has just arrived in Turkey on board a new Beneteau 57.
Bryan is a former fireman, who changed careers a dozen or so years ago and has worked as part of the pyd team since 1999.
He is a Yachtmaster Instructor, and since starting with pyd he has completed 93 deliveries, covering in excess of 100,000 nm - we fully expect to be able to break out a smart new 100+ jacket for him by London Boat Show 2011!
26/06/2010 - pyd feature in new book 'The islands that time forgot' by Graham Morse
 “Now we had ridiculous time pressures – our oldest son Peter and his family were joining us on the boat one week later for a three week family holiday. We also had to appoint a boat yard to do refit work in the autumn. Philip Coatesworth the Managing Director of Professional Yacht Deliveries knows a things or two about crew, so I ‘phoned him to discuss the situation and see if any of his delivery skippers might be looking for a career change. I thought that perhaps a skipper who had not run an owner’s boat before might be a good bet – we could work out how we would operate together. He understood the problem and told me 'Couples can be difficult, Graham. If you have a problem with one it will always be defended by the other. If you have a male skipper and mate you can deal with each person separately. Do you remember Luke Windle? I think you should consider him.'
I did, and I liked him when we met. Philip told us that he was young but had been given responsibility early on and was now very experienced. The reports he got from the crews who sailed with Luke were always excellent. It was a very strong recommendation and as we had no time to spare we arranged to interview Luke at a hotel at London Heathrow airport before we flew back out to Newport…”
Graham Morse is a pyd client who first approached us to help deliver his Discovery 55 across the Atlantic and then subsequently for crew selection advice on his 78 footer 'Moonraker'
19/04/2010 - New HR40 arrives in the UK
 “It has been a pleasure to do business with you again and in particular I must congratulate everyone involved for delivering our new boat to us so quickly and in such perfect condition. I am certain that because of the snow and ice conditions we had in the Baltic logistically it must have been a nightmare, but for me pyd made it a completely stress free experience from start to finish! – Well done!”
18/03/2010 - pyd Clipper Challenge skipper in second place across the Pacific
 Long standing pyd skipper Peter Stirling is sailing a brilliant race across the Pacific and is currently in second place as this report from the Clipper Challenge web site confirms:
“Jamaica Lightning Bolt’s skipper Pete Stirling is also fairly up beat after success at the Scoring Gate. ‘The crew were duly ecstatic about it and much hand shaking, hugging and back slapping was had by all. Before the last leg I had really developed a dislike for the whole scoring gate part of the race. We hadn't benefited in any way whatsoever but had seen other boats take advantage. Now, however, having got five scoring gate points out of the last two races I'm actually getting to quite like the concept!
We have been slowly gaining ground to the north over the last couple of days but I have now decided we have gone far enough. From now on it is east all the way with maybe a touch of south in it. The weather is now horrible with constant rain, fog and very cold, although we do have a favourable wind. There is also a very deep low pressure system moving in to the north of us in a couple of days’ time which is going to bring gale force winds once again.”
Pete is an excellent skipper with the great talent of always bringing home a happy crew and as a mark of our confidence in him we’re actually putting a small wager on ‘Jamaica Lightning Bolt’, which is currently third overall winning the whole race.
05/02/2010 - Sailing Apprentice Scheme 2010
 At this time of year pyd always has a surge of applicants who are keen to apply for the limited number of places available on our highly successful Sailing Apprentice Scheme. The Scheme has now been running for 5 years and Apprentices have come from all walks of life and have aged from their early 20s to mid-60s. Their common ground is a passion for sailing and a will to break into the exclusive area of professional skippering in the global marine industry.
All candidates are interviewed by a pyd director and their motivation, prior experience and aims are discussed in detail. Those who are already qualified to YM Offshore will sail on our professional deliveries as First Mate, gaining invaluable first hand experience of yacht and crew management at every stage of the delivery process. We aim to provide a wide variety of delivery passages, ranging from the Baltic to the Mediterranean and further afield, including a trans-ocean passage that can be used for the RYA YM Ocean assessment (astro navigation and log). During an attachment of around 6 months, the apprentice will cover a minimum of 10,000 nm on many different boats and in all sea conditions. At the end of their time with pyd, apprentices can develop their sailing and yacht management skills to a level that would allow them to apply with confidence for skipper appointments in many areas of the marine industry. For the moderate cost involved we believe that the pyd Sailing Apprenticeship Scheme is a sound investment in any professional sailor's future.
To ensure the highest standards of professional mentoring, we take on a maximum of 10 Sailing Apprentices each year and we are already half way to filling the 2010 quota. Anyone who may have an interest in joining the Scheme this year should get in touch with Bill King as soon as possible on 01539 552130 to discuss their suitability and options. Don't miss the boat!
05/02/2010 - pyd at Eurasia Boat Show February 12th and 13th 2010
 Phil Coatesworth MD of pyd will be at Eurasia Boatshow 2010 in Istanbul on February 12th and 13th as a guest of Mr E Galip Kaynar principal of the Turkish Hallberg-Rassy dealership.
As the show’s press release says: ‘Eurasia Boatshow 2009 was the second biggest boat and yacht show organized ashore. More than 200 small, medium or mega-size boats were exhibited in the fair, the importance of which was emphasized by Tony Rice, ICOMIA General Secretary.
The most important names and key decision makers of the marine sector visited Eurasia Boatshow 2009. In his speech at the VIP opening day of the show Tony Rice, The ICOMIA General Secretary (International Council of Marine Industry Associations), stated Turkey's importance for the Mediterranean Region with its fantastic coasts and also the yacht industry being developed in the country.
Eurasia Boatshow hosted 5.721 international visitors from many European countries including Netherlands, Germany, UK, Italy, Bulgaria and Greece. Chairman of the Board of NMMA (National Marine Manufacturers Association) Thomas Dammrich and the Head of Great Lakes Boating Federation USA (with around 10 million members), Ned Dikmen were also among the visitors of the fair.
Some of the international brands participated to the fair are as follows ; Giant Motoryachts, Atlantis, Intermare, Delphia, Comet, Sealine, Glastron, Fairline, Regal, Northshore, Ferretti, Riva, Beneteau, Azimut, Bayliner, Maxum, Meridian, Polaris, Galeon, Carianda Yachts, Criscraft, Archamboult, Riviera, HanseYachts, Bavaria, Sanboat, Larson, Hallberg Rassy, Nimbus, Board Cruise, Jeanneau, Rinker, Northstar, Mastercraft, Tomcat, Stringray, Rancraft, Alson, Chaparral, Bat, Classic Cruiser, Taylan, Star, Egemar Liberty, Ada Board Yard, Alfa Beta, Barbarossa, Bonito, Posedion, Turbotsan and Apex.
The goal of Eurasia Boatshow is to provide new international perspectives to the sector in a familiar fair venue and with 22 years of experience and professionalism of CNR Fairs to become the best exhibition through Europe.’
pyd look forward to being on board.
09/12/2009 - British Embassy Reception - Paris Boat Show, 7 Dec 2009
 As a member of the BMF, pyd was proud to be invited to a Reception to mark the 49th Paris Boat Show, held at the British Embassy in Paris on 7 Dec 2009. Organised by the BMF International Development team and hosted by the British Ambassador, Sir Peter Westmacott, the Reception was a showcase for British excellence in the marine industry. It was attended by a large number of leading French industrialists from the marine sector and was a great opportunity to develop the pyd profile across the Channel / La Manche.
Representing pyd was Bill King, seen here alongside our display in the splendour of the Embassy's ballroom. Bill also attended the Paris Boat Show as part of pyd's continuing efforts to expand our overseas market even further. With numerous deliveries of French yachts during 2009, including Allures, Beneteau, Jeanneau and Ovni, pyd is keen to establish itself as the leading delivery company for these major yacht builders.
08/12/2009 - pyd feature in Practical Boat Owner magazine
 We were pleased to be asked to help when we were approached recently by Rob Melotti the News Editor of Practical Boat Owner magazine, the UK’s leading monthly full of tips on how to get and stay afloat.
Rob was preparing an article on yacht transportation and asked for our take on the practicalities of crewed yacht deliveries – particularly over long distances.
You can see the finished article (pun!) on page 43 of the January edition of PBO. And do remember that we were quoting from major port to major port. That’s all a ship can manage and if your boat is in a marina down the road, or you want her moving a week after the ship has left, there really is no comparison at all on either price or flexibility.
15/10/2009 - MV Western Belle in the Irish Sea - Again!
 We were very pleased to assist Ulverston 'Steamers' Ltd once again in moving their restoration project MV Western Belle from her temporary berth at Maryport to Liverpool, where her hull and decks will be renovated by Mersey Heritage Ltd. MV Western Belle is a 1930s vintage passenger ferry that plied the waters of Plymouth Harbour for many years, followed by periods of work at Dartmouth and on the Thames. pyd brought her around from London to Maryport last year, via Land's End, which required careful handling in the open sea for a vessel with relatively low freeboard.
On the latest occasion Western Belle seemed to have a charmed life, as she survived unscathed when the lock gate at Maryport Marina was breached during a fierce gale and tidal surge a few days prior to her departure. Many of the yachts moored in the marina were badly damaged but Western Belle was tucked against the wall and was missed by the rush of incoming water.
The passage to Liverpool down the Irish Sea was carried out by a select pyd crew during a short period of settled weather and her twin Sabre engines behaved impeccably all the way, never missing a beat, which does credit to the maintenance team from Ullswater 'Steamers' Ltd who looked after her at Maryport. We understand that she will be returned direct from the Mersey to Ullswater for her final refit before a ceremonial re-launch by Christmas of 2010. We very much look forward to being there for the occasion!
08/10/2009 - pyd deliver to Genoa Boat Show
 For many years pyd have been asked to help out with deliveries to various boat shows around the World, including London, Southampton, Barcelona, Genoa and Annapolis.
This work is of course extremely prestigious because boat builders only entrust their most precious assets to people on whom they can rely completely.
At Genoa this year for instance pyd were responsible for the delivery of some extremely high quality boats including:
Truly Classic 65 ‘Mozaiek’
Oyster 655 ‘Daena’
Oyster 54 ‘Surya’
Najad 570 ‘Ko-Ko.
We think that’s a real vote of confidence in our standards, attention to detail and commitment to completing even the most demanding of projects with the minimum of fuss.
29/09/2009 - pyd at Southampton International Boat Show 2009
 Once again pyd was at the Southampton Boat Show, which enjoyed a week of superb weather for the second year running. The sunshine was matched by a buoyant mood and yachts and services were selling strongly, marking the early stages of a resurgence of business in the marine industry. As well as assisting Transworld on the Hallberg-Rassy yachts, PYD delivered a total of six Oyster yachts between Ipswich and Southampton at either end of the Show. The yachts formed the nucleus of the impressive Oyster Brokerage Show at Saxon Wharf, which also saw a healthy client interest this year. We saw many old friends and clients and made several new ones, which helps to make this annual event so worthwhile in the PYD calendar.
23/07/2009 - pyd skippers come 2nd in UK Mini Fastnet
Well, it’s quite a while since I wrote one of these, but my new mini campaign is officially back on the road and I thought I’d drop you all a line to let you know how it’s going.
I didn’t do any races after the 2007 Transat, but there were plans afoot for me to race the new Koopmans VQ32 on the OSTAR, unfortunately it transpired the boat was not going to be ready in time. So, I approached Martin Kay of Domosofa.com who still owns my old mini and very kindly agreed to lend me her for another go at the Transat.
Apart from being lucky enough to have been lent the boat as well as receive much appreciated help once again from my industry sponsors, I don’t have a main backer this year, so I have had to try and get the boat ready between offshore deliveries with pyd, which has left me with very little time for the refit. But, against all odds, David Rawlinson (another veteran mini sailor and fellow pyd skipper) and I managed to get GBR 500 in the water and ready (ish) for the start of the 2009 UK mini Fastnet from Plymouth.
To say It was a struggle is an understatement; four days before, she had no deck gear, no decals, no mast, no electrics, no keel and was on a trailer at Full Bar Composites in Penryn where she had been undergoing a major refit. I drove her up to Plymouth on the arrival deadline and after launching her and stepping the mast, Dave and I worked solid 16 hour days to get all the gear on and wire her up. At the race briefing three days later, we had our first pint and said, ‘She’s ready!
Well, that’s what we thought anyway! At the tow out, the first problem showed up which was that the wind instruments were not working properly which was minor, but annoying. Then, as we gently put her through her pre start paces (the first time Dave and I had sailed a mini in nearly two years!) we found that a new sheeting system I had installed wasn’t going to work. Luckily, I had prepared for this and with 20 minutes to the start set to work on changing it back.
With a real crummy start, we crossed the start line along with the 12 other mini’s and beat out into the worsening south-westerly winds to round the Eddystone Lighthouse. This was a new course for 2009, which would take us up to the Needles Fairway buoy before heading back down the channel to round Scilly, then up to Fastnet and around the Cork fairway buoy, before turning home. A total of around 700 miles (in the end, almost all upwind!!!)
We had been out about an hour after the start when the main halyard pad eye pulled out of the deck, in my dietary zeal to shed boat weight, I had changed all the metal pad eyes for carbon/spectra lashings and this one I had obviously not made correctly, either way, it was a real warning as all of the pad eyes were like this. It was a tough decision, but considering the forecast conditions for the rest of the race, we decided to turn back in order to change them back to metal ones for safety. This was a qualifying race for me and finishing way outweighed racing.
So, gloomily, we came about and sailed back into QAB where we took just over an hour to change all the pad eyes in a formula one style pit stop. It took us about another hour to get back to where we had turned, putting us about three hours behind the fleet, but although there were some serious contenders in the race, we felt confident we could catch up a little. That evening we pushed hard under fractional kite and 25 knot winds down to the Needles where to our delight we saw our first two minis. We didn’t know at this point that these were the two leading boats! They disappeared offshore whilst Dave and I took the decision to stay inshore and use the tides, this obviously paid off, as after 24 hours from the start, we were unknowingly in first place!
Dave and I just kept plugging along in the 30 knot headwinds using the headland tides to great advantage and saw no mini’s until the Scillies, where we once again saw a single good looking mini round about two miles ahead of us. The wind at this point dutifully headed us and lined itself up perfectly from the Fastnet rock, as you would expect, and so we tacked our way up to the rock in soaking wet and cold conditions. (did I forget to mention, that the pad eye problems had left some really good leaks in the deck? Well, we were sleeping in between 2 and 4 inches of water for six days... nice!)
About half way up to the rock, Dave reported that a mini had tacked behind us, we were pretty sure this was the same one we had seen at Bishop rock, so were pleased we were making good vmg. As it happens, this mini was Xavier Haize on his Manuard proto, but what we weren’t aware of was that at this point, Xavier, a single Pogo one and us, were the only minis left in the race! All the others had retired due to injury, rigging failures or other problems in the horrible upwind conditions.
The rest of the race up to the rock saw us trading tacks in the lightening winds until we finally both rounded the Fastnet, Xavier just ahead by about a mile. The wind that evening drew lighter until we were both becalmed, however, we just managed to wriggle out of it with our narrower and less ‘draggy’ hull overtaking Xavier and rounding the Cork fairway mark in first place. Once again, the winds dutifully backed and presented us with a nice tight reach back to lands end in about 25 knots.
The shipping forecast had been constantly saying the winds were going to back further round to the south and increase to gale 8, so we sailed pretty high and slow in order to get some south in hand, which was the right thing to do, so were really surprised to see Xavier crack off and point way below the direct course and head for North Cornwall!!? We thought he was crazy, but as it turned out, the wind didn’t come in from the south for another 40 hours, in fact, it actually freed off to the west which was obviously perfect for Xavier who must have had considerably more accurate weather info than us.
In these strong reaching conditions, the powerful Manuard hull excels, and there was just no way we could keep up, and so our lead slowly turned into 2nd place as we headed towards Lands End. The wind gods finally smiled on us from here on in and we managed to gennaker up to the Lizard and fast kite sail into Plymouth about two and a bit hours after Xavier in second place in class and overall.
In the end, we lost it on the return leg due to weather info and hull form power, but, what we were very pleased with was, that if you take our three hour pit stop out of the race times, we actually sailed the course in a quicker time than Xavier, and considering we were tired from launching, had old sails and no training, I think we did quite well!
The next race should probably be the Transat in September, and so from now till then, I will be based in Cornwall where I’ll be training and optimising the boat with the help of Tacsail, a great piece of software that logs your vessel data for later replay, so that you can pin point weak areas and work out your exact polars for on the water optimisation.
So, it just remains to say thanks to everyone who has helped me get back on the water and I promise to keep in touch with updates over the next couple of months.
All the best, Andrew Wood
*article courtesy of Andrew Wood GBR500 Mini Transat campaign 2009 http://www.solochallenges.com/
** David Rawlinson is campaigining for the 2010 Velux 5 Oceans race http://www.davidrawlinson.co.uk/index.html
01/07/2009 - Danny Watson leads Cat Zero project
 Former pyd skipper Danny Watson has been appointed to head up the innovative Cat Zero project in Hull.
Danny cut his teeth with pyd several years ago and completed many passages as mate before being appointed as one of our group skippers.
His profile via Cat Zero’s web site follows below:
Danny Watson graduated from the University of Edinburgh as Batchelor of Commerce with Honours in 1993. Danny’s business career started with Tullet & Tokyo Forex money-brokerage. He then moved into sports management and sponsorship negotiations, by establishing an agency with Duncan Goodhew whose clients included Ian Botham.
Danny’s professional sailing career started with private charters, leading to skippering for Professional Yacht Deliveries Ltd. He then became the Skipper of the Ocean Youth Trust North West, working with young people. His next move was into round the world yacht racing as the Skipper of the Qingdao in 05/06, and trained the crew. The contract was extended to 07/08 with Clipper Ventures, when he became the Skipper of the Hull & Humber, which won overall second place. Danny again had responsibility for crew training and supported Hull’s Tag Team (part of the Wilberforce 200th Anniversary celebrations).
As well as having raced twice round the world, he is a highly qualified Yachtmaster Ocean with Commercial Endorsements, and holds Master Yachts Class IV.
To find out more about the project and see if you can become involved why not visit the web site at http://www.catzero.org/pages/corp
30/06/2009 - pyd Joins British Marine Federation
As part of our commitment to professional standards and to the industry in general we took the decision earlier this year that we should apply to join the BMF. We are pleased to say that our application was accepted in May and we look forward to playing a full part in helping to promote the marine business with our many industry friends and colleagues.
30/06/2009 - Great Egret goes trans Atlantic!
 We were recently responsible for the delivery of extra cargo to the Caribbean, when the Great Egret Georgino joined Farr 60 ‘Sweet Chariot’ en route for Antigua on her fifteenth crossing under pyd’s command.
Georgino joined around 500nm West of the Cape Verdes as part of a group of six birds which descended on the boat at dusk one evening. The rest disappeared by morning, but Great Egrets are not routinely found far out at sea and Georgino wisely decided to remain on board until we had safely delivered him to the West Indies. During the ensuing 11 days he particularly enjoyed breakfasting with the crew, but also became an entertaining dinner table guest.
Understandably he was reluctant to leave when ‘Sweet Chariot’ docked in Falmouth and the crew were just as sad to say farewell to an unusual shipmate.
30/06/2009 - Two pyd skippers selected for Clipper Round the World Race 2009/10
 At pyd we have had a long association with the Clipper Challenge Round the World race by virtue of the fact that many of their skippers have been members of our team either before or after the race itself.
Names from the past include Danny Watson, skipper of ‘Qingdao' in the 2007 race, who started as a deckhand with pyd in the mid nineties; Sam Fuller Skipper of New York in the 2005 race has worked with us on number of occasions as have Ed Green, Rupert Parkhouse and Adam Kyffin, who took Liverpool Clipper round the World 1n 2002. In fact Adam has recently been back on board with us delivering a brand new Beneteau Oceanis 54 up to Estonia.
We should also mention the race’s founder and driving force Sir Robin Knox-Johnston kindly signed a batch of his brilliant book ‘Force of Nature’ when we gave them as presents a couple of years back – he also let us use an extract from the book in our Christmas cards that same year.
We were delighted therefore when it was announced recently that two of our long standing group skippers have been allocated boats for the 2009-10 race, which starts in September.
Forty three year old Peter Stirling has been with us for over ten tears and was already an experienced sailor when he joined. He took his experience to new levels during his time with us completing at least 70 passages including memorable ones from Martinique to Thailand aboard Chris Gordon’s CNB77 ‘Chrysalis T’ and the first Sweden Yachts 80 from Scandinavia to Turkey ..in December! He also heroically nursed an ancient steel schooner back from Bombay to Turkey managing to reduce the resident rat population by an estimated 50% en route.
Matt Pike is the other successful candidate from the pyd stable. Now 40, Matt joined us as a deckhand some years ago and worked with us on numerous deliveries gradually building his experience and qualifications until he was offered a skippering opportunity in 2001.
In between periods as a charter skipper he has worked extensively on our deliveries and learned to cope cheerfully and resourcefully with all the problems that going to sea entails.
We will miss them both over the next year and a half, but very much expect to see them back. Importantly they have left behind numerous capable skippers and mates who have benfited from their guidance and leadership over the years.
We know they’ll both do a really good job for their sponsors and their crews and in the meanwhile we’ve placed a confident wager on who is going to be the first of the ten skippers home!
‘photo credit: Clipper Ventures PLC
20/12/2008 - pyd AT THE LONDON INTERNATIONAL BOAT SHOW 2009
 Once again pyd will be present at the London International Boat Show at ExCel for the entire period from 9-18 January 2009, where you will find us at the Hallberg-Rassy stand (N017A) as guests of Transworld Yachts, for the tenth year in succession. Please make a point of dropping by to see Phil and Bill for a general chat or to discuss your sailing plans for 2009 and how we might help achieve them.
As you will see, pyd is expanding its activities into other areas of yacht operations, including total management packages, the Sailing Apprentice Scheme and the unique Flying Skipper Service, which offers a dedicated and professional Skipper for pre-purchase advice, sea trials, planned and emergency maintenance, refit supervision, new equipment specification and gardiennage.
Whatever, whenever, wherever – call pyd,
14/11/2008 - September 2008 - Southampton Boat Show
 Taking advantage of an excellent venue at the Southampton Boat Show in September 2008, pyd's Training Director, Bill King, presented a Completion Certificate to a delighted Ankie Eeken, who is the first female graduate of the company’s innovative Sailing Apprentice Scheme. Ankie, who is Dutch and a former IT manager, joined the scheme in March 2008, having already completed the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore qualification at the UKSA and with close to 9,000 sea miles under her belt. Her aim was to broaden this experience under the direct mentorship of professional pyd skippers during delivery passages that ranged from Falmouth to Oban in a Grand Soleil 45 to an Atlantic crossing from Trinidad to Ipswich in a Hallberg Rassy 46. In doing so she added a further 15,527 nautical miles to her tally over a six-month period and a great deal of hard-won experience in all weathers and sea conditions. In her final assessment of the scheme, Ankie said:
‘This apprenticeship has been of great value for me, it is well built up and I feel confident now to make the step to skipper level … I have learned more in six months than in twenty years of sailing / training before.’
Ankie’s experience exactly matches the purpose and aims of the Sailing Apprentice Scheme as originally developed by pyd's founder, Phil Coatesworth. Those who have successfully passed the rigorous assessment standards of the scheme come from many backgrounds but all share the determination to expand their knowledge and credibility as skippers, with a view to possible employment as professional delivery skippers in their own right. In Ankie’s case, she is looking forward immensely to having the opportunity to deliver yachts on behalf of pyd during the 2009 season and the company has every confidence in her proven ability to do so, safely and to the highest standards of seamanship.
21/08/2008 - New director joins pyd
 Bill King is joining pyd as a director from September 1st 2008. Ahead of his official joining date he will be out and about on deliveries and meeting clients at various boat shows.
Bill recently retired from the RAF as a Squadron Leader after a varied career, including front line operational experience in both Northern Ireland and Afghanistan. His final posting was as air operations planner at NATO HQ in Ramstein, Germany. He has lived and worked in the UK, Cyprus, Northern Ireland, Turkey and Germany.
Bill’s sailing experience started with club dinghy sailing in Ramsgate harbour, but really took off during his service in Cyprus. There he cut his nautical teeth on an elderly Nantucket Clipper and a very Spartan UFO 34, as well as a leaky Drascombe Coaster in which he cruised extensively along the Cypriot coast. On return to the UK he took his Day Skipper qualification.
Since then, Bill has worked his way through the RYA / MCA cruising training programme and is now a Yachtmaster Offshore (Commercial) and Cruising Instructor. While serving, he was the Offshore Sailing Secretary for the RAF Sailing Association and participated in numerous offshore racing events as well as the STA Tall Ships Race on three occasions. He has also instructed courses at Gosport and organised numerous sailing expeditions for service personnel in sea areas from Norway and the Western Isles to northern Spain and the Greek islands. During a three year NATO posting to Izmir, Turkey he owned a Wauquiez Pretorien 35, which he cruised the Aegean and Mediterranean coasts of Turkey, with his young family as crew.
Bill has taken early retirement from the RAF, with the specific aim of bringing his transferable skills and managerial experience to pyd. He is confident that his involvement with the company will help strengthen the management team and looks forward to developing and applying his own ideas for the future, particularly in the areas of administration, training and yacht management.
Bill will live with his wife, Seema, a maths teacher, and their two teenaged children near Windermere.
13/06/2008 - Famous Contessa 32 crosses the Atlantic
 TRISTAN GOOLEY...
Tristan Gooley, 34, is vice chairman
of Trailfinders, the travel company founded by his father, Mike, and is
a prolific adventurer.
He crossed the Atlantic to achieve his dream of becoming the second man to have both flown and sailed solo across the Atlantic. He completed the first part of the challenge flying a single-engined Cessna Caravan from Goose Bay, Canada, to Oxford, England, via Greenland, Iceland and Scotland in May 2007.
The second part of the challenge involved sailing his Contessa 32 ‘Golden Eye’ solo across the Atlantic. pyd helped out by delivering the boat down to the Canaries in the Autumn of 2007 and back from St. Lucia to Chichester in 2008.
Tristan’s father Mike Gooley is also a client of pyd
Tristan used the challenge to raise awareness of prostate cancer, a disease that kills one man every hour, and pay tribute to Steve Fossett, the only other person known to have achieved both solo feats. Steve is missing, presumed dead in Nevada, America, following a routine flight in September 2007.
At the end of the inbound delivery Tristan wrote:
"I took the boat out a couple of days ago and although I didn't get a chance to get the sails up was very happy with her condition.
Job well done!
Funds left my account today and should be with you shortly.
Thanks alot
Tristan"
See Tristan’s website:
www.atlanticchallenge.co.uk and also an article about the trip at:
http://www.atlanticchallenge.org.uk/YMarticleApril08.pdf
30/04/2008 - Crewing with pyd
 If you have RYA Day Skipper or above qualifications or equivalent experience we'd love to have you on board one of our deliveries this season.
We’re having an extremely busy year at pyd and continue to be involved in many exciting deliveries as well as a variety of yacht management and evaluation projects.
This season we have deliveries of both new and classic boats to and from the Mediterranean, the Black Sea (Bulgaria and the Ukraine), Scandinavia, several trans Atlantics and trips down the Red Sea, across the Indian Ocean to Thailand.
As always we are on the lookout for new crew who will enjoy working hard and sailing with some of the most experienced skippers afloat.
We have immediate requirements at the beginning of May for an experienced Yachtmaster qualified individual to join us as Mate on the delivery of a 44' boat from the Caribbean to Portugal.
Please call our crew coordinator Jan Younger on +44 15395 52140, complete our crew application form or send an email to crew@pydww.com to register and find out more.
There is no fee for registration
05/03/2008 - pyd SELECTED FOR EVALUATION OF NEW WAUQUIEZ PILOT SALOON 55
Leading French quality boat builder Wauquiez have selected pyd to carry out a series of sea trials aboard their new Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 55.
Henri Wauquiez built his first yacht in 1965 – and the company’s sailing boats remain famous around the world for their signature comfort, speed, and reliability. Earlier models such as the Elisabethan 29 and Prétorien have given way to Centurions and Pilot Saloons, but the team at Wauquiez are still motivated by their founder’s passion for excellence in seaworthiness and performance, styling and construction.
That’s why Marketing & Sales director Joel Jarrijon was keen to involve experienced outsiders in fine tuning the functionality of their latest flagship the Berret and Racoupeau designed Wauquiez Pilot Saloon 55.
“We have some of the world’s finest designers and boat builders involved in this project and already we know she will be a winner...” says Jarrijon. “ But some of our people have been living with this project for three years and it is inevitable that they get close to what we have done so far”.
For this task, Wauquiez demanded a professional, thorough and experienced team to provide a detailed analysis of their new flagship under real sea going conditions. Joel Jarrijon finally selected pyd (a company that has built its reputation on thoroughness and professionalism) to undertake their evaluation in a week of intensive sea trials in the very testing conditions of the North Sea.
Formed in 1995, pyd has increasingly diversified into yacht management and training from its core involvement in the global yacht delivery market, where they work for many of the World’s leading boat builders. The heart of the business is a 35 strong group of highly experienced skippers supported by literally hundreds of crew and it is three members of this team, with tens of thousands of sea miles between them, who will undertake the evaluation before reporting back to the project management team at Wauquiez.
11/01/2008 - London International Boat Show 2008
 It’s London Boat Show time again and pyd are on the Hallberg-Rassy stand as usual, supporting their private clients as well customers from across the industry both in the UK and overseas.
The boat show is always a great opportunity to sit down and talk through plans for the coming year and Phil Coatesworth, as well as long standing pyd skipper Brendan Budd, will be on hand throughout.
Apart from yacht deliveries pyd’s services now include a burgeoning yacht management and crew provision function, whilst on the training front there is own boat tuition and the unique Sailing Apprentice programme on offer.
So whatever your need there’s lots to talk about and we look forward to catching up with all our friends old and new over the next ten days.
PS The London International Boat Show is at Excel in London’s Docklands from January 11th-20th
26/11/2007 - pyd at the ARC 2007
 The pyd team were in evidence at the start of this year’s ARC in Las Palmas supporting customers old and new as they prepared to set out across the Atlantic.
The pyd girls (actually lent by the skipper of ‘Caliso’ from his crew) got a great reception giving out essential ARC kit in the form of an eco friendly ‘shopper’ and a logoed Frisbee to the top 100 boats and the team look forward to seeing them in use in the shops and on the beaches in the Caribbean.
If you’re going to be out in St. Lucia from the 13th-20th of December and want to talk about getting your boat home, or any other aspect of your future cruising plans do get in touch with the team on +44 7968 306245
PS We’ve got another 100 Frisbees to give away as replacements for any lost overboard en route! Just stop us and ask on the pontoons at Rodney Bay
19/10/2007 - pyd sailors in the Mini Transat
 Incredibly after over 3000nm of racing pyd Skippers Andrew Wood and David Rawlinson are only a place apart in 25th and 27th respectively. In distance terms they are only about ten miles away from each other as they fly down to Fernando de Noronha off the coast of Brazil the final staging point before their arrival in Bahia in about a week’s time.
Their positions put both firmly in the top third of the mini Transat fleet a remarkable achievement given that both boats are far from new and in David’s case he is almost entirely self funded.
Needless to say we’re very proud of them both!
18/10/2007 - pyd instructed on delivery of famous Swan 65
 The manager of this well known Swan 65 was so impressed by the pyd crew he saw delivering an Oyster 485 in to Oban, Scotland earlier in the year that he had no hesitation in approaching us for help when the need arose.
Nittan II is a Swan 65, Hull Number 8. She was built by Nautor in Sweden in 1974 .
Originally built as ANNA OF THE SEA, later as XARGO III she competed in the Whitbread Round the World Race 1981-2 and was placed 6th. Other Swan 65’s had competed in two earlier Whitbread Races with great success, including winning the first race and a second place in the second race.
In more recent years the Swan 65 has become renowned as a fast and most comfortable cruising yacht. They are equally suitable for private family use or for charter. Yet, they may still be raced with great enjoyment and some success, particularly at such events as The Nioulargue, Antigua Race Week and the Swan Regattas.
Since her success in the Whitbread Race, NITTAN II has changed hands a number of times. Each owner has maintained and updated her, including a refit in England 1990, and further refurbishing in 1993, 2002 and 2004 at Silvers on the Clyde.
She is bound for the Mediterranean
03/10/2007 - Andrew Wood and David Rawlinson in the 2007 Mini Transat
 The two British Sailors in this year's competition are both pyd skippers.
They are pictured here after making 28th and 35th place respectively in leg one down to Madeira.
Photo courtesy of the dailysail.com
18/09/2007 - pyd skipper Andrew Wood sets off in the 2007 Mini Transat
 Hi all,
Just a quick one to say were actually off on Tuesday morning. It's been a really busy 10 days here and I'm pleased to say the boat is looking as good and I'm feeling happy with her.
It's been a long time getting here and I'm really looking forward to setting off in the morning. the weather is looking like we should have some fast reaching across Biscay and if were not too slow over Biscay, some heavy surfing down the coast of Spain.
The guys at Kemp will be doing their best to keep you up to date with news as it unfolds, but you can also check the latest news and positions by visiting the official race site www.transat650.org
Cheers for now, Andrew
11/09/2007 - pyd's innovative skipper apprentice scheme featured in Yachting World
 Tony Smith writes about his experience as an Apprentice with pyd and how it helped his career.
There are a limited number of places available on the 2007 intake and applications are now being accepted for 2008. If, like Tony Smith, you think you would benefit from 10,000nm of varied and mentored sailing alongside experienced professional skippers, and are committed to achieving the highest standards of seamanship, please get in touch with Jan Younger the scheme’s administrator on +44 (0)1539 552140
28/02/2007 - Trans Atlantic berths
We have an extraordinary number of trans Atlantic deliveries coming up between now and mid Summer.
Voyages range from the Caribbean to the Northern UK, US Eastern Seaboard to Azores and Sweden to Nova Scotia. Typical duration is about 5 weeks
If you have the necessary experience and qualifications as well as high personal standards please give Jan Younger a ring on +44 1539 552140 or email crew@pydww.com
05/12/2006 - Eight pyd boats crossing the Atlantic at once
The Oyster 53 ‘Magic’ has just arrived in St. Maarten in the Netherlands Antilles after a routine 36 day crossing from Northern Italy, and behind her a further seven pyd boats are in the Atlantic bound for similar destinations:
- The Moorings Cyclades 39 has, for a boat of her type, been quick ever since leaving Les Sables d’Olonne in Biscay France a month ago and should arrive in Marsh Harbour, Abacos in a few days.
- An Oyster 485, which started from Palma, Majorca three weeks ago leaves Mindelo in the Cap Verdes this morning bound for Barbados with an owner’s crew and a pyd Skipper and Mate aboard.
- The Kelly Peterson 44 ‘Golondrina’ en route from Horta, Azores to Fort Pierce, Florida is on an unusual route, which we haven’t done before, but is making very good time. Helped by regular weather routeing advice form the office her non stop passage to the US should be competed inside 25 days.
- Meanwhile the 90 foot Gulet designed ‘AWOL Again’, also ex Palma and bound for Antigua, is re-fuelling this morning in Las Palmas. She has a crew of six and is on an urgent delivery to Antigua after the last minute cancellation of a long arranged ship transportation, with the possibility of her missing a valuable New Year charter booking, led to pyd being called in.
- Malo 45 ‘ White Egret’ was supposed to be competing in Rally Antigua, but some last minute mechanical problems made the owner decide that he would leave getting her to the West Indies to professionals and fly out to meet his boat in Antigua before Christmas. She left Puerto Mogan in Gran Canaria yesterday.
- Farr 60 ‘Sweet Chariot’ is due in Las Palmas in three days time en route from Lymington to Antigua on what will be her seventh crossing with a pyd crew on board.
- And stylish Granny of the fleet the very pretty Sparkman and Stephens ‘Tomahawk’ from 1938 is holding her head high in mid Atlantic as she attempts a podium finish in Racing Division B of the ARC. pyd skipper in charge is Julian Hawe, who has been at the helm since September when ‘Tomahawk’ left Fowey in Cornwall for the Mediterranean.
05/12/2006 - 2007 intake for the Skipper Apprentice Scheme
The third intake of pyd skipper apprentices will be in February 2007.
This innovative scheme is designed to give qualified Yachtmasters the opportunity to build their experience with ten thousand miles of varied sailing over a six month period.
Apprentices sail as Mates to experienced pyd skippers on a variety of delivery trips and will during their placements see a range of differing boats, as well as visiting new and unfamiliar ports. Candidates will also make at least one passage which will enable them to take qualifying sights for the Ocean Yachtmaster exam.
In summary on completion of the scheme apprentices will have:
· Covered 10,000 nautical miles in a range of locations and sailing conditions
· Completed an ocean qualifying passage with the opportunity to fulfil the seagoing requirements for the RYA/MCA Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate
· Planned, victualled and executed (with support) an ocean qualifying passage
· Gained experience as a volunteer crew aboard yachts of different sizes and complexity
· Sailed with several Skippers experiencing different leadership methods allowing the development of an individual’s own management style.
· Developed skills to promote crew management, discipline and care
· Understood and devised watch keeping routines taking into account crew numbers and skill level
· Gained an understanding of the legal documentation requirements for vessels at sea
· Handled entry and exit procedures in foreign ports
If you are a qualified Yachtmaster committed to developing your career and interested in participating please email Jan Younger (jany@pydww.com), who is responsible for managing this intake.
21/03/2006 - An owner reports back
….I cannot let this opportunity pass without commenting on the outstanding service you have provided.
The delivery was made in Winter conditions in February , over a distance of 1990 sea miles from Glasgow , Scotland to Barcelona, Spain. The crew experienced snow at the departure date and storm force winds during the journey of 15 days, nevertheless the delivery was made on time and the cost was completely in accordance with the quotation that you provided. Additionally, I received from you a progress report on the journey every 48 hours.
Upon arrival the captain gave me a comprehensive and detailed written report relating to the boat and its systems throughout the journey and I consider this to be very valuable. The fact that the report is included in the delivery fee is an added bonus.
On the day of their arrival I had the pleasure of a very enjoyable and informative lunch with the captain and crew, each of whom I consider to be first class.
It has been a pleasure working with you and I will not hesitate to recommend PYD to any person who is considering delivery of their boat.
With best regards,
John Pickworth owner yacht ‘Marathon’
21/02/2006 - New X-70 delivery contract goes to PYD
 It’s not often that any yard, even one of the major European boat builders, has a new seventy footer on the market, and boats of this size and quality are extremely important to both their builders and proud new owners. Just such can be said of the new X-70 from the famous Haderslev yard on the East Coast of Jutland, which PYD have recently been instructed to deliver to Antibes in France.
PYD Managing Director Phil Coatesworth said proudly yesterday ‘This is an extremely interesting, high quality, yacht with a technically advanced build and systems profile and we were naturally very pleased to be awarded the contract’
During the delivery which will be run by a Skipper, Mate and deckhand from PYD, assisted by one of the owner’s permanent crew, the office will be liasing with the design personnel as well as the yacht’s owner and providing feedback on the performance under what will be a wide range of conditions.
As Phil comments ‘I think it's very much this level of service, as well as the high standard of our crews which has led to our working with so many of the leading yards Worldwide’
21/02/2006 - Presentation to HROA
Managing Director Phil Coatesworth was a guest speaker at the annual New Members Day of the Hallberg-Rassy Owner’s Association held at Chichester Yacht Club on Saturday February 18th.
Phil was one of four speakers talking about various aspects of ‘getting your new boat home’ and naturally enough he talked through what PYD can provide, which was summarised as follows:
“Simple, straightforward, worry free, professional movement of your pride and joy from and to almost anywhere”
Following the 45 minute talk, which included numerous photos of pyd boats on delivery, there was a question and answer session with advice on many aspects of bringing a boat down from Sweden both with, and without, professional help.
As Phil said afterwards one of the great satisfactions of our business is that we have long terms relationships with our clients, who often become our friends as well, and this has enabled us to provide help both formally, and otherwise, with so many aspects of boat ownership over the years.
17/01/2006 - PYD at Dusseldorf and Miami Boat Shows
 Staying in touch with a Worldwide client base and keeping up to date with new developments in the industry have always been fundamental to the pyd approach.
Boat shows are a key part of this process and with a very successful London Boat Show just competed and several new clients coming under contract pyd people will be at the other two leading early season events.
During the last week of January Managing Director Phil Coatesworth will be at Boote Dusseldorf and in mid February fellow Director Kevin Scott is spending time at the Miami Boat Show as part of a series of visits to key US based customers.
If you would like to meet up at either of these two events please give us a call on +44 1539 552130 to arrange an appointment.
06/09/2005 - Oyster say thanks
We recently delivered the new Oyster 53 'Principessa of London' from the yard to Lagos, Portugal.
On completion of the trip Jean-Pierre Cardin Oyster Marine Ltd.'s Project Manager wrote:
"Just back in office today.
Found your delivery report in my in tray. Thanks for that, well done.Liked the first page with all the passage and fuel consumption summary info. very useful indeed!
Thank you and your team once again for your (as usual) excellent services."
brgds,
JP
06/09/2005 - Satisfied Contest 55 owner
At PYD we have a rigorous routine of checking direct with clients at the end of every delivery to make sure that they were entirely happy with the performance of both the office team as well as the skipper and crew on board.
This procedure is an important part of our quality control and continuous improvement programme and it is in place to ensure that we keep on getting things right - and find out early when we don't
It’s especially satisfying though when customers write in spontaneously as this Contest 55 owner did (and many others do) the other day:
“Many thanks for arranging the successful transport of Nicky Tam II to Breskens under what were quite difficult circumstances. They left her in perfect condition and I am very grateful……………………Top marks for a job well done - thanks again!”
09/06/2005 - TOP Skippers work for PYD
The quality of PYD skippers has always been fundamental to the high standards which we routinely achieve on our deliveries.
Amongst the 23 boats we currently have at sea the skippers include:
Adam Kyffin – Skipper of ‘Liverpool’ in the 2002 Clipper Challenge, who is en route Palma from Antigua and has just arrived in the Azores on a Beneteau 50.
Ed Green – Skipper of ‘London’ in the same race, who hast just delivered a new Beneteau 523 into Palma ex Les Sables d’Olonne
Luke Windle Skipper of the famous Whitbread all girls boat 'Maiden', on a subsequent trip from the UK–Cape Town, who is on a Discovery 55 in bound for Palma ex Grenada
Andrew Wood RYA Yachtmaster of the year and Musto Cruising Yachtsman of the year for 2004 who has just left Barcelona on a Hallberg-Rassy 53 bound for Grenada.
Joining these next week is Rupert Parkhouse Skipper of ‘Glasgow’, again from the 2002 Clipper Challenge, who takes the helm of a brand new Oyster 66 bound for Spain.
It’s serious people such as these who have led to our becoming in the last ten years Europe’s largest and most respected yacht delivery specialists.
20/05/2005 - PYD go classic!
PYD recently completed the unusual and demanding task of moving MV ‘Totnes Castle’, the 1949 passenger steamer which is on the National Historic Vessels Register, from Plymouth to Whitehaven.
The Ullswater Navigation and Transit Company has acquired the sixty eight foot ‘Totnes Castle’ and required professional help sailing her to Cumbria before she was put onto a low loader for the road journey across to central Lakeland.
The vessel was originally built in 1949 as the ‘Berry Castle’ for the River Dart Steamboat Company, by the well known ship builders - Philip & Son Ltd of Dartmouth.
She left the River Dart during 1972 and traded on the River Medway as the ‘Golden Cormorant’ before returning to Dartmouth in 1977.
Clearly moving such an important boat required considerable experience and special skills, which PYD were able to put on board in the form of a Skipper, Mate and Engineer as well as a deckhand.
Afters several days preparation and checking by the crew the passage went extremely smoothly the only incident being when help was offered to a distressed paraglider as they sailed past St. Bees Head. Apparently the unfortunate aviator had lifted off from the top of the cliffs only to go down rather than up! He ended up on the beach and the crew having seen what had happened approached the shore to offer assistance. Luckily there were no injuries and ‘Totnes Castle’ continued on her way only to be greeted in Whitehaven by the grateful paraglider.
On completion of the voyage the client wrote
‘Kevin
Two things. Firstly, thank you and your guys for a highly professional and friendly service. I would be more than happy to recommend your excellent service to others.
Secondly, a gentleman turned up on the quay this afternoon looking for 'Totnes Castle'. He got into difficulties whilst parascending/paragliding (not sure which) somewhere near St Bees, and was well appreciative when your guys went to offer assistance. He was very keen to pass on his thanks & appreciation to Peter and his crew, and we promised to do so. I would be most grateful if you could convey that message to them.
Please let me know the cost incurred to transport the smoke floats back to Mike Bettinson. He tells me that they should be returned to Voyager Yachts at Southdown, Millbrook.
Kind regards
Christian’
03/03/2005 - World's leading charter company give PYDWW a ringing endorsement
Once again this year we are moving a tremendous number of new boats for Sunsail the World’s largest yacht charter company. As befits their status they are a demanding company, with very specific operating methods and so it was particularly pleasing to get the following feed back:
“I indeed was very happy with your performance.
I really appreciated your reactivity, availability as well as the feedback you provided.
I am sure that this successful partnership between PYDWW and Sunsail will result in future opportunities for every one of us.
Thank you very much.
Best regards,
Thibaut de Montvalon
Assistant Group Resources Manager – Sunsail”
23/02/2005 - Mediterranean Delivery Crew
Mediterranean deliveries are flooding in (excuse the pun!) and for capable crew at Mate (you must be a Yachtmaster) and deckhand level (capable of standing an independent watch at night), we have berths available throughout March and April. Passages include South of France to Croatia, Greece and Turkey, and whilst it’s not baking hot down there at this time of year, it’s very unlikely to snow!
If you are interested in helping us to deliver brand new charter boats across the Med. and think you can match our high standards, why not give Crew Coordinator Jan Younger a call on +44 1539 552140 or e mail her at crew@pydww.com
16/02/2005 - Early Season deliveries
We’re already extremely busy with early season boat movements and once again it looks like being a record year for our 10th anniversary.
Much of our business comes from repeat customers and long standing relationships - the kind of loyalty generated by experiences such as this from a recent owner who wrote in:
"I was most impressed by the crew’s professionalism and competence, both of which were of an extremely high level. They were also most tolerant and understanding of an amateur like myself in their midst.
I enjoyed the trip immensely."
Thank you
Victoria 38 owner
09/02/2005 - SKIPPER APPRENTICE PROGRAMME
You may have seen the following letter from our Managing Director, Philip Coatesworth, in February’s Yachting World
Dear Sir,
Your extremely balanced editorial on the Yachtmaster qualification in the January magazine will hopefully help to raise the profile of a topic which will be close to the heart of many involved in the employment of commercial yacht skippers.
We at PYD have long argued that the current Yachtmaster certificate, whilst an excellent qualification for the leisure yachtsman, is completely inadequate for anyone hoping to Skipper in a commercial environment. The problem lies not with the schools, most of which do a first rate job, but with the RYA’s syllabus which is simply not demanding enough for those wanting to earn their living at sea.
The key lies in raising the requirements for the commercial endorsement of the basic ‘ticket’, so that it is only awarded on the basis of , say, ten thousand very varied miles and perhaps a rigorous further examination.
Depending as we do on an extremely high standard of Skipper being available we will be introducing our own Skipper Apprentice Programme in 2005. The objective of this scheme will be to take relatively inexperienced Yachtmasters, who show promise, and over six months getting them up to a minimum of 10,000nm on a variety of passages Worldwide. During this period they will voyage as a Mate to a number of different skippers and complete at least one ocean crossing. They will also visit numerous ports, see some ‘real’ weather and experience a number of different boats, whilst being mentored throughout.
Naturally there’s some self interest in all of this since we hope the best of these individuals will go on to become PYD Skippers, but we hope it will in its own small way help with the wider issue, which the RYA or the MCA really must address.
Yours faithfully,
Philip Coatesworth
Director
This letter has already generated considerable interest in the scheme, which is due to be launched in the early Spring of 2005. If you think you might be interested in participating why not get in touch with crew coordinator Jan Younger to find out more tel +44 1539 552140 email crew@pydww.com
09/02/2005 - DELIVERY CREW
This is our tenth anniversary year and we have another extremely busy season ahead.
If you have good sailing experience, think that you could make a contribution to three or four person crews delivering yachts literally all over the World, and would enjoy sailing with some of the most capable yacht skippers afloat, why not get in touch with Jan Younger our crew co-ordinator about the opportunities.
Jan can be reached on tel +44 1539 552140 or email crew@pydww.com
20/01/2005 - PYD Skipper receives TWO prestigious awards at London International Boat Show
PYD Skipper Andrew Wood has been in the news a lot recently.
On 12 January on the RYA Stand at the Schroders London International Boat Show. RYA President HRH The Princess Royal presented him with the prestigious RYA Yachtmaster of the Year award after impressing his examiner with his capabilities proven during his exam.
James Stevens, RYA Training Manager, commented: 'He was an outstanding and truly exceptional candidate in every respect. He has not only sailed as skipper from the UK to New Zealand in his 42ft steel cutter, but on the return trip went from NZ to Alaska and through the Northwest passage to Greenland and home.'
At the time of making this passage Andrew was only qualified as Coastal Skipper, but prior to undertaking his Skipper assessment and joining the PYD Skipper team Andrew needed to have the qualification to back up his exceptional experience.
Andrew's examiner Michael Stratton said, 'Andrew is one of the most competent seafarers I have ever examined for the RYA Yachtmaster®. His seamanship and navigation is outstanding, exceeded only by his modesty.'
A few days earlier at the same show Andrew, his father and his girlfriend Zoë Birchenough won the Musto International Cruising Award 2003-2004
Chatting at the show 'Woody' said: "We had a few scary moments but there was one in particular when we got stuck in the ice for 10 days and very nearly ended up there for the winter. Fortunately a storm came though and pulled the ice offshore enough for us to get off. It piped up to about 40kts and it was our only chance to get off. We count ourselves as very lucky. It was tough crashing though the growlers and bergs in a 40kt breeze but it was our only choice." Zoë added: "We were sort of preparing ourselves but weren't looking forward to the 1,000 or so tins of baked beans we had stashed away."
To read the account of the Woods' epic voyage watch out for the February issue of Yachting World.
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