Arnold appointed IWA vice president for five year term

Harry Arnold has been appointed as a vice president of the Inland Waterways Association (IWA) for a term of five years.

Although well known as a leading waterways journalist and picture archivist – Arnold is the Boating Business inland waterways correspondent -, and as the long standing former editor of IWA’s members’ magazine Waterways, Arnold has for many years been closely involved with the waterways movement.

He is a stalwart volunteer and supporter of the IWA’s campaigning activities and was pre-eminent with his work for the IWA during the initial stages of the recent parliamentary campaign, during which there were a number of occasions when he represented the IWA; standing in for the chairman.

Arnold’s appointment signals a change in policy of the association in appointing working vice presidents, who will, in future, be appointed for a fixed period of five years, but whose tenure may be renewable.

See below for picture of Harry Arnold.

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Ayers and Spears are new chairman and deputy chairman at YDSA

Richard Ayers has been appointed the new chairman of the Yacht Designers and Surveyors Association (YDSA). Ted Spears has also been appointed as the new deputy chairman. Both will serve for the next two years.

Ayers also becomes vice president of parent company the Yacht Brokers, Designers & Surveyors Association (YBDSA) working with Nick Ryley, recently appointed YBDSA president.

A long-standing member of the YDSA, Ayers has extensive experience, starting his surveying career in 1989. His first job in the marine industry was trainee boat builder at Souters on the Isle of Wight. He followed this with the boatyard management course at Southampton Institute.

In the years that followed he managed various boatyards, build and repair projects including the construction of a 50m cold moulded timber Dhow to Lloyds 100AI+, commissioned by an Arab Sultan.

Spears comes from an established boatbuilding family on the River Swale at Conyer. He has designed and built a wide range of different steel and wood composite boats, moving into surveying 12 years ago. He retains an interest in the family boatyard business and supports his son Ewan and daughter Victoria who now manage it.

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Bavaria Yachtbau finalises the strengthening of its management team

Dieter Berndt has been appointed chief financial officer and Klaus Hammen has been appointed chief operating officer at Bavaria Yachtbau GmbH.

This latest round of senior executive appointments, which became effective January 1, 2008, finalises the strengthening of Bavaria Yachtbau’s management team following the company’s acquisition by Bain Capital in July 2007.

Mr Kay Schwabedal was named chief executive officer in November, 2007. Rudolf Müller continues as a key member of Bavaria Yachtbau’s senior management team, reporting to Schwabedal.

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Kirk joins International Safety Products

Andrew Kirk has been appointed as the first UK sales executive at International Safety Products based in Bootle.

He will be responsible for selling the full range of ISP lifejackets and immersion suits, including the company’s professional grade Challenger range of lifejackets.

Kirk will also liaise with buyers for ISP’s manufacture of branded, customised lifejackets.

ISP and its customers will be Kirk’s introduction to the UK marine industry. Having previously worked in the retail section of the Royal Bank of Scotland, he nevertheless comes from a family of keen Ipswich-based sea fishermen and is now looking forward to becoming part of the of the industry’s professional side.

See below for picture of Andrew Kirk.

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Retiring as a superyacht captain Lacey joins Doyle Sails

Simon Lacey has joined Doyle Sails International as a key staff member. Based from the Doyle loft at Shamrock Quay, he will be responsible for both design and production of major superyacht projects.

Before he took to the sea as captain, Lacey had undertaken all the development work for a number of major projects, including wind tunnel testing and sailcloth development.

His experience racing high performance superyachts and completing numerous ocean deliveries gives him a unique knowledge of sail performance requirements in these large yachts. Having recently retired as captain of the 122’ SY Ghost and prior to that, SY Velsheda, Lacey is well known and respected in the superyacht industry.

His role will include supporting Doyle overseas lofts with major sail design projects in addition to sales and marketing coordination worldwide.

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Routledge moves to McMurdo

Mark Routledge has joined McMurdo as operations manager. He will manage the manufacturing and supply chain in the company’s expanding factory environment, working closely with key suppliers.

Routledge brings with him a wealth of expertise from his career to date and had more than eight years of experience as operations manager in the electric and electronic sectors in international blue chip companies.

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Russell joins OYS

Paul Russell has joined Ocean Yacht Systems as a project manager.

Working alongside the management team, he will provide valuable extra management coverage to ensure that OYS’ clients receive high standards of product quality and customer care and attention.

Russell has more than 20 years experience in the rigging world, in both marine and architectural fields. He started rigging work with Spencer Rigging based in Cowes, working with a variety of major projects, prior to joining Navtec, in its sales team for custom rod and hydraulics covering all northern Europe operations.

He then rejoined Spencers as general manager until his recent move to OYS, based at Bournemouth Airport.

Over the years he has been involved with many prestigious projects such as Mirabella V, the J Class yachts Velsheda and Shamrock V, the 43m Perini Navi Paz, the classic superyacht Adix and schooner Windrose as well as the Pendennis-built MITseaAH.

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Salter moves to MDL’s new Sant Carles Spanish marina as the UK marina manager

Neil Salter has been appointed as the UK marina manager at MDL’s new Spanish marina, Sant Carles.

Salter, who has been with MDL for nine years, will relocate to Spain from his position as marina manager at Brixham Marina. The announcement follows the appointment of Angeles de la Riva de Bustos as the company's Spanish marina manager earlier this year.

Salter brings with him a wealth of experience, having managed all four of MDL's West Country marinas at some point during his time with the company. He has also completed the International Marina Institute's Certified Marina Manager's (CMM) qualification and the Institute of Management's Diploma in operational and industrial management.

See below for picture of Neil Salter.

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Warden Owen joins RORC as CEO

Eddie Warden Owen will join the RORC as its chief executive officer from late February and Ian Loffhagen will become the new racing manager.

EWO will be responsible for the overall management of all aspects of the club’s core activities. Loffhagen and Mike Urwin, the technical director in charge of the Rating Office, will report to the chief executive.

EWO joins RORC after having an impressive sailing career spanning over 25 years in the international sailing arena. He has raced in most of the classic offshore regattas around the world, Admiral’s Cup, Southern Cross Cup, Fastnet Race and Middle Sea Race.

An accomplished match racer, he has been involved in seven America’s Cups, the most recent as coach to the Spanish team, Desafio Espanol 2007, in Valencia.

Loffhagen has been deputy racing manager at RORC for seven years and takes over from Janet Grosvenor as racing manager from March 1, 2008. The club will recruit a new deputy racing manager to support Loffhagen and Grosvenor will continue to work for RORC with responsibility for management of events such as the Red Funnel Easter Challenge, the IRC Championships and the Rolex Commodores’ Cup.

See below for picture of EWO.

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