Polar expedition skipper looking for freelance work

PolarBear · 10 June 2013, 12:01

Greetings folks,

Firstly a big hello - I have spent some time reading through this forum and there are some good blokes on here and some good discussion - I cant quite believe I hadn't found it sooner to be honest. I hope to become a more active member, so please do ask any questions you might have, or just get in touch and say hello.

I will make this brief as possible -

I am a 28 year old male, just returned from the Arctic working a redbay stormforce for 3 months, prior to that I spent 2.5 years in South Georgia in the sub antarctic as senior boating officer for the British Antarctic Survey running 5.5 humbers, and 12m Mustang Marine rib workers, before that I was a SAR Mission Coordinator and Deputy Watch Manager for HMCG (Humber and Solent MRCCs) and volunteer lifeboatman. I am currently working towards STCW95 Master 500 ton unlimited, already have YM Offshore, Powerboat Instructor and numerous other bits of paper. Some of you might recognise my name from my articles in Powerboat and RIB mag about antarctica and rescue planning.

I am looking for freelance work starting immediately to fit around my studies. I will consider anything up to 200 ton - deliveries, instructing, charter, workboats - anything. I am based in the Solent area for now, but can travel.

Sorting a mobile phone today so can provide a number to interested parties.

Cheers chaps,
Matt Kenney

Rokraider · 10 June 2013, 12:29

Welcome to the site. Sounds as though you have had an interesting career! Good luck with your search.

PolarBear · 10 June 2013, 12:31

Cheers bud... I built a PAC 22 from hull up a few years ago - cracking little boats!

Rokraider · 10 June 2013, 12:49

Quote:

Originally Posted by PolarBear

Cheers bud... I built a PAC 22 from hull up a few years ago - cracking little boats!

Mine has turned into rather more of a project than intended. It will be a while before it is finished.

willk · 10 June 2013, 13:54

Welcome to RIBnet PolarBear. I like your last boat:

Redbay Boats Spirit of Lyngen Lyngen Lodge Norway - YouTube

kerny · 10 June 2013, 14:58

Welcome aboard Matt. Hope you have a good sense of humour you will need it on here

Poly · 10 June 2013, 18:09

Quote:

Originally Posted by PolarBear

and there are some good blokes on here and some good discussion -

that's you on Janet's hit list now

Rogue Wave · 10 June 2013, 19:20

With your background I would give BP a call and get on the ARCC'S they like Lifeboat/ MCA experience

The ARCC boats hang off Grampian ships which are owned by North Star shipping/Craig group. I believe that BP owns the ARCC boats but the management and crewing of them is handled by North Star, Queen Street Aberdeen

I think they do 3 on 3 off so plenty of time for study.

Also trailer bloke on this Forum runs a company that is fun to work for

PolarBear · 10 June 2013, 22:06

Quote:

Originally Posted by kerny

Welcome aboard Matt. Hope you have a good sense of humour you will need it on here

Cheers Kerny - some say I'm pretty senseless most of the time, but what little I have is for a good laugh...

Will - thats the badger.. the owner is driving in that vid, but Ive got a few of me own now aswell... good little boats by the Oirish there...

PolarBear · 10 June 2013, 22:08

Rogue wave - top suggestion there... I do have some north sea work on the cards mate, but I'll look in to BP none the less. Cheers for the thought...

AndyHendersonUK · 13 June 2013, 11:38

Hello everybody,

Ex ARRC cox'n here for the BP Arrcs. They are run by Vector Offshore, Bibby has just bid and won the contract for next round of contracts.

The ships are Caledonian Victory, Vanguard, Vigilence.....

Good work if you can get it and 28 on 28 off PM me if you need more info.

All the best

PolarBear · 13 June 2013, 17:30

Thanks Andy - top man.

I will have a little look in to it...

Matt.

PolarBear · 16 June 2013, 20:57

Hi guys - Im still looking for bits and pieces to fill gaps, so do let me know if you need anything at all..

PolarBear · 16 June 2013, 21:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by AndyHendersonUK

Hello everybody,

Ex ARRC cox'n here for the BP Arrcs. They are run by Vector Offshore, Bibby has just bid and won the contract for next round of contracts.

The ships are Caledonian Victory, Vanguard, Vigilence.....

Good work if you can get it and 28 on 28 off PM me if you need more info.

All the best

Hi Andy,

I cannot seem to get your email address to work -I will try again tomorrow - I have a couple of questions for you.

Cheers,
Matt.

AndyHendersonUK · 17 June 2013, 01:23

Hello mate, have pm'd you, with alternative email.

jonny1990 · 15 July 2013, 11:18

Hey Matt, unfortunatly not a job offer coming your way, but was wondering if you may be able to help a fellow boatie out. I was wondering if you may still have any contacts or still work for the antarctic survey. I have recently left the Royal Marines and served most of my time as a Landing craftsman. with plenty of small boats experience world wide including the arctic and my Yachtmaster ticket I Think I would be suitable for some similar work that you did and a point in the right direction would be greatfully apreciated. cheers buddy, Happy boating

PolarBear · 06 August 2013, 07:39

Johnny,

I completely forgot to reply to this one. As it happens it makes no difference for this year as the boaty posts are all filled, but the best (and only thing to do) is to keep an eye on the website at British Antarctic Survey - Homepages

There is the "Antarctic Employment Pool" which is made up of previously employed skippers which sometimes fill the posts, but if no one is available it goes external and gets advertised on the website. There may be other interesting jobs for you there - for instance as a Marine, you would be qualified to go as a mountain leader (what they call a general assistant!) basically looking after groups of scientists in the field for extended periods leading them across mountains and crevassed ice caps and helping them put tents up etc...

Matt.