Ships Ahoy!

Prior to YBC and Big Picture, Sam attended a private boys only high school in Perth, Western Australia. Sam was not enthused. He was not happy. Bringing home ʻbusy workʼ assignments day in and day out that were of no interest to him caused arguments with his parents and stress to all parties. His passion from an early age was boats. Hence Samʼs enrolment at YBC Big Picture in 2008 at the age of 13.

At YBC Sam was encouraged to fully explore his ʻboatʼ passion. Sam immersed himself in sales, design and construction, mechanics, crewing/decking, skippering, navigation, all of which he experienced in various internships with professional and caring mentors. In each he had to go out of his ʻcomfort zoneʼ so as to test his passion in that particular area of marine life. The highlight was ten days on the high seas on the sailing ship Leeuwin II.

Sam completed 14 weeks, twice per week internship on a sardine fishing trawler based out of Fremantle. 3am starts were required each time. Back on land he was required to participate in the full fish processing process.

Over 100 patrol hours (early morning and late night) at sea and on the Swan River on the Maritime Safety patrol vessels was another internship experienced by Sam. This he enjoyed very much. He stills maintains regular contact with his mentors at Marine Safety.

Whilst still at school, Sam had the opportunity to enrol at TAFE to begin and complete his full coxswain course. also began part time work with a local tourist charter boat organisation, a job he still holds while fulfilling the requirements of a four year marine technician apprenticeship.

Going from a Big Picture school back to a mainstream senior high school proved to be very boring for Sam, even though he experienced much success by finishing first in many of the ʻsubjectsʼ he studied. It proved again to be ʻbusy workʼ where he did what was required so the boxes could be ticked. He was adamant that that would not occur again. He made contact with two elite large motor yacht skippers from the Mediterranean, interviewing one in his lounge room, which further fuelled his passion.

Sam is now living his dream of life in the marine industry. He continues to take the steps towards his goal of operating his own charter boat business. With full coxswain qualifications, sea time towards his Master 5 Skippers Certificate in conjunction with his Marine Technician apprenticeship, Sam spends his weekend as a trainee deckhand with the large tourist operator, Captain Cook Cruises. With his own 5.3m 140hp cabin cruiser, Sam spends his spare time on the river or his favourite of cruising across to Rottnest Island discovering the various bays. He is now inquiring how to purchase high quality boats that are for sale in the US and importing them into WA for sale.

Sam will be 17 in September!

BPEA would like to thank Sam and his dad, Andrew, for sharing this story with us.