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About Us
Many of the staff at Ardfern Yacht Centre are keen sailors with some having their own boats for cruising around the west coast, while others enjoy some local dinghy sailing or crewing for yacht races such as the Scottish Series, the Round Mull race or West Highland Week.
GENERAL MANAGER – MARK CAMERON
Mark began work at Ardfern in August 2002 first taking up the position of assistant workshop manager, before becoming workshop manager in January 2006 and general manager in 2009. He has a BSc (hons) degree in Yacht Manufacture and Surveying from Southampton Institute having obtained an HNC in Yacht and Boatbuilding Practice at James Watt College first. A keen sailor, he has raced aboard various yachts on the Clyde and west coast, most recently on ‘Sorr of Appin’ with other family and staff members. Mark holds a number of RYA certificates including, Dayskipper, Powerboat level 2 and DSCVHF license. When not out on the water he can normally be found playing in his Landrover.
WORKSHOP
WORKSHOP MANAGER – BOB FLECK
After qualifying as a marine surveyor and spending some time as a boat repair technician, Bob was appointed as workshop manager in June 2009. Having run a yacht charter and sailing school business for 10 years, he is currently the secretary and treasurer of the Association of Scottish Yacht Charterers. A professional skipper and RYA Yachtmaster instructor, he has a Diploma in Marine Surveying and a BA in Business Studies.
ASSISTANT WORKSHOP MANAGER – ANDREW ASHTON
With a background originally based in farming, Andrew joined the company in 2008 and also enjoys sailing, having acquired an RYA Day Skipper certificate in 2004 and completed the Yachtmaster theory course in 2007.
BOATBUILDING
MARTIN EVANS
Martin has been with Ardfern for just over 12 years and is one of the firm’s key boat building and repair technicians having been involved in, and overseeing, some major structural GRP repairs to yachts and motor boats in the yard. Having completed a boatbuilding apprenticeship with Westerly Yachts, he claimed the ‘South Coast Apprentice of the Year’ title for four years running. A professional Yachtmaster for 12 years, skippering an 80ft yacht, Martin has also served as a superintendent engineer in Spain and for two years was Westerly’s export sales manager.
MAITLAND BLACK
Maitland has also been at Ardfern for 12 years and is a key part of the boatbuilding team. With a part one, two and three City and Guilds in Yacht and Boatbuilding, he has worked for Swedish boat manufacturer Hallberg-Rassy both in Sweden and in the UK. He has also spent time working for a boat builder in St Lucia and St Kitts and has completed many yacht deliveries, including two Atlantic crossings. Over the last 10 years he has been restoring his own yacht, the 100 year old sloop ‘Zuleika’, to her former glory.
DARREN TAYLOR
Joining the company in 2006, Darren has a HND in Marine Engineering and RYA Power Boat level 3. Over the last couple of years he has worked closely with both Martin and Maitland in advancing his boat building skills and now works on many large projects including major structural GRP & FRP repairs. He has also undertaken yacht deliveries and is a keen yacht racer taking part in many of the sailing regattas on the west coast of Scotland.
ENGINEERING
DONALD CRAWFORD (DONDIE)
Dondie began work at Ardfern in 1974 and has been the mainstay of the engineering workshop for many years focusing on anything from a new engine installation to complex marine electronics problems. For 21 years he was a volunteer fireman for the village of Ardfern and surrounding area.
STEPHEN RYAN
A time-served engineer, Stephen has been at Ardfern for nearly 7 years, having previously worked for a private forestry contractor as a HGV mechanic specialising in electro-hydraulics. Also an experienced stainless steel welder and gas fitter, Stephen has carried out detailed stainless steel work that has ranged from minor alterations to major repairs. He is also a first aider with the Red Cross and enjoys motorcycling in his spare time.
GRANT FRASER
With an AEC in Engineering and a City and Guilds level 2 in Electrical Installation, Grant started work at the Yacht Centre in 2005. Holding an RYA Yachtmaster certificate, he has also worked for a charter company in Greece.
ROSS RUSSELL
Ross began working for the company in 2005 and as well as working closely with the rest of the engineering team, is currently studying for a HNC in engineering. As well as enjoying boxing, snowboarding, football and shinty, he has also taken part in the Round Mull race.
RIGGING
JOHN MACINNES
John has worked at the yard since 1995 and as the chief rigger has many years experience fitting new standing rigging, furling systems and running rigging, as well as being a crane and hoist operator. He holds an RYA Yachtmaster certificate and has sailed extensively around the West Coast of Scotland in his own boat. In his spare time, when not out sailing, he enjoys hill walking and water skiing.
PETER MCCARDEL
Since joining the yard in 2006, Peter has worked closely with John in all aspects of rigging and boat handling and now plays a key role in this section of the business. A very keen sailor, he has also sailed extensively around the West Coast and has taken part in many yacht races. Along with sailing, he enjoys Landrover rallying and playing rugby.
HOIST
COLIN NEIL PETERSON (CHINA)
China has worked at Ardfern for 26 years and is the main hoist operative, playing a key role in the layout of boats for winter storage. He carries out the majority of the yard’s antifouling each spring before the launching season begins. When not at the Yacht Centre he is a keen football and shinty supporter.
YARD
IAN SMITH
Having worked at the yard for 2 years, Ian now plays a key part in operating the new shrink wrapping service offered to customers. He has also been involved in many of the yard’s recent cosmetic improvements. Ian enjoys wood turning and photography and is also a first aider.
LEON KNASIECKI
Leon is responsible for the majority of the boat washing, polishing and internal boat valeting for the yard, having been with the company for nearly 3 years. A volunteer fireman for the village, he also enjoys hill walking in his spare time.
LEE HARDMAN
Joining the company in 2009, Lee undertakes many general yard duties and is currently learning to sail.
CHANDLERY
CHANDLERY MANAGER – GUY NEVILLE
Originally starting work at Ardfern in 2000 as a chandlery assistant for several years, Guy rejoined the business as chandlery manager in September 2009. With many years of racing experience on both dinghies and keel boats, Guy is an RYA racing coach and is currently the sailing captain of Craignish Boat Club, where he is involved with teaching local children to sail. He also holds a level 4 RYA Power Boat certificate, along with the RYA Shorebased Yachtmaster qualification. Guy is also a volunteer fireman for the village fire station.
CHANDLERY ADMINISTRATOR – DIANE CHADWICK
CHANDLERY ASSISTANT – ANDREW DODD
OFFICE
ACCOUNTANT - KATHERINE CROOKS
With an HND in accountancy and 18 years of experience working in private accountancy practices, Katherine was appointed as Ardfern’s accountant and office manager in August 2009. A Member of the Association of Accounting Technicians (MAAT), Katherine is responsible for dealing with all customer and supplier accounts in the business. She is currently learning to sail and also enjoys cooking and travelling.
BOOKINGS ADMINISTRATOR - BEA GOUDY
Bea has worked at Ardfern since 2006, and is now responsible for all pontoon, mooring and winter storage bookings administration. She has a bachelor degree in Public Administration from the Institute of Law and Administration in Poland, where she also spent time working for a Town Hall in Opole City. Since moving to Scotland she has become a Youth Leader with the local youth club and a member of Craignish Boat Club. She also enjoys cooking, reading, hill walking and snowboarding. | | |
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