Meet the team

Sarah started her career as a watersports instructor before finding her passion in yachting. Sarah worked in industry for 4 years where she progressed to the position of Second Stew on a 32m motor yacht. She joined our team in 2023 and is a great asset to our superyacht stew course, where she teaches the intricacies of all the daily duties of a stew. When not teaching, Sarah is in the office, chatting to aspiring yachties who are looking to book a course with us. She is also one of our fabulous CV mentors.

George joined the team in 2023 as our Deckhand Instructor. Previously he had worked on superyachts starting off as a deckhand working his way up from Lead Deckhand to Bosun on vessels ranging from 50-90+m. During this time, he achieved his Yachtmaster offshore, EDH, celestial navigations and many more modules, aiming towards Officer Of The Watch 3000gt for yachts. If you’re on our Deckhand course he is a face you’ll see quite often.

Ben joined the team in 2024 after swapping the open seas for solid ground, bringing a wealth of experience from his adventurous years as a superyacht sailor. Specialising in performance sailboats, Ben began his maritime journey in 2018, kicking off his career with a Flying Fish Deckhand Course.

From there, he climbed the ranks to captain, while also diving into engineering. Close to completing his OOW 3000, Ben’s enthusiasm extends to mentoring aspiring yachties, sharing his knowledge, and inspiring the next generation of sailors. Whether on deck or in the classroom, Ben’s energy will have you excited about your next steps.

Angus has been involved in sailing and boating for over thirty years. Starting in sailing dinghies and small powerboats, his experience encompasses many types of power and sailing vessels throughout Europe. Angus started Powerboat training in 2001 and has since been clocking up in excess of 2000 training, skippering and delivery hours per year covering thousands of sea miles annually.

Clive joined Flying Fish in 2019 following a distinguished career as a navigator in the Royal Air Force, where he flew fast jets, served on overseas operations, and commanded the airfield in Gibraltar. With over 25 years of powerboating experience and instructor qualifications since 2004, Clive is a seasoned expert in Radio, Radar, and Navigation.

He specialises in navigation and weather, teaching Yachtmaster Shorebased and VHF courses, though he still enjoys getting out on the water to deliver Powerboat training. When not at Flying Fish, Clive can usually be found behind a camera or at the helm of his own RIB.

Ian has been teaching in the maritime industry for 15 years.  He joined the Flying Fish Team in January 2022 as an instructor.  Ian brings a wide range of experience to the classroom following service in the Royal Navy and working as an Operations Manager for a shipping company based on the Island.  He primarily teaches our STCW courses so you may see him during your stay!

If you’ve booked one of our courses, you will undoubtedly come across Rob. He teaches courses from STCW to Yachtmaster. Rob has been teaching since 2010 and within that time he has accrued thousands of miles crossing the Pacific and Indian Oceans.

Chris is a Captain on a superyacht, so is often busy travelling the Mediterranean. In 2001, he completed a Flying Fish Course in Australia, then stayed to teach for 5 years, before becoming a deckhand on a superyacht. Chris missed sailing, so spent a year skipping a yacht in the Clipper Round the World Race. Next he returned to superyachts, working his way up to Captain. Chris is a very busy man, but enjoys teaching at Flying Fish when his rota allows, helping to inspire our customers.

James began his seafaring journey at 18, starting a Cadetship at Warsash Maritime Academy in 2011. Since then, he’s travelled the globe as a Navigation Officer for BP, working on Oil and LNG Tankers. One of the most unforgettable places his career has taken him? Manaus, deep in the Amazon, navigating a 47,000-ton oil tanker!

Now the Captain of the Red Osprey at Red Funnel Ferries, James brings his wealth of experience to Flying Fish. He conducts STCW Training Courses, using real-world insights from his time at sea to make each session engaging and relevant.

Sarah joined Flying Fish in 2009 but has been a First Aid trainer since 2004 when she began teaching the subject to the Isle of Wight Ambulance Service. Since then she has spent a number of years teaching First Aid to children under 11 years old and has been part of a team that went into high schools to highlight the importance of road safety and the consequences of road traffic collisions.

Adam has been hooked on sailing since the age of 10, starting out with dinghies and earning his powerboat license by 14. By 16, he was already an instructor, sharing his skills and love for the water. A long-time RNLI volunteer and a key member of Flying Fish since 2021, Adam is also a Yachtmaster Advanced Instructor with a reputation for staying cool under pressure. He’s the kind of guy who’s seen it all, keeping things steady and making sure you feel like everything’s under control.

Paul started his maritime career in 2006, with experience up to and including taking command on passenger ships, container ships, offshore support vessels and superyachts. Paul joining Flying Fish in January 2021, teaching STCW, Powerboat and Seamanship.  He also sails as Captain aboard the RedJet High speed ferries to and from the Isle of Wight. He may well be the one to drive you to your course at Flying Fish!

Luke’s love for watersports began at the age of 12, and by 16 he was already a qualified sailing and powerboating instructor, sharing his skills to help others get on the water. Since 2009, he’s been dedicated to career development courses, ensuring trainees gain both the practical expertise and soft skills needed for success in the maritime industry.

Luke leads the team that trains you, creates essential resources, and keeps track of your progress. He also works closely with the RYA, delivering instructor courses and sharing his wealth of knowledge. Always approachable, Luke is keen to hear how your course is going and answer any questions about your future in the industry.

Heidi has been with Flying Fish for an impressive 25 years. Heidi runs our Seafarers Tax Service, helping yacht crew to claim the seafarers tax deduction scheme. If you’re joining us for a course you’ll probably be welcomed by Heidi on arrival day!

Born in Ecuador, raised in Italy and Spain, and fluent in three languages, she’s a globetrotter with flair! At just 19, Mishel boldly moved to the UK on her own and hasn’t looked back since. She joined Flying Fish in 2022 as our barista instructor, quickly impressing us with her passion and skills. Now, she’s the dynamic force behind our sales and social media, sharing her energy and creativity to inspire the next generation of superyacht professionals.

Robyn grew up in landlocked Shropshire (on the border of North Wales) and trained to be a primary school teacher. After losing her Dad to cancer at a young age, she decided there’s more to life, so took a career break and bought a sailboat! Robyn intended to sail around the UK and Europe for a couple of years with her partner and miniature Jack Russell, Scrappy, but living life on a boat was too much fun! Five years (and one daughter) later, she returned to land life in Portugal before moving to the Isle of Wight as she missed the sea too much and wanted to be closer to family. Robyn joined Flying Fish in June 2024 and is loving the combination of working with students again and combining it with her love of the Marine Industry.

Aimee grew up in Essex and discovered her passion for watersports at the age of 18, diving into dinghy sailing, multihulls, keelboats, and windsurfing. After leaving college, she completed a crew training course and found her way to the Isle of Wight. She quickly turned her passion into a profession, working as a Watersports Instructor, freelancing as crew for a corporate yacht company and working as a Dockie at Cowes Yacht Haven. It wasn’t long before her talent was spotted by Luke, who brought her on board at Flying Fish.

Aimee will welcome you on arrival day and make sure everything runs smoothly on your course and in the accommodation. During your STCW or Superyacht Crew courses, she also teaches as a Powerboat Instructor (PBI), Personal Watercraft Instructor (PWCI), Crew Trainer & STCW assistant. Outside of work, Aimee loves beach BBQs, paddleboarding, and participating in events like Cowes Week and Round the Island.