Joshua Caleb Sunderland

I joined the vessel in South Africa and went through an extensive maintenance period. Following the month of work on the hard. We set sail to the north, this entailed sailing to Namibia - St Helena - Ascension - Cape Verde - Azores - France - Denmark - Sweden - Netherlands. As the captain of the boat, I was responsible for all the maintenance, navigation, cleaning and documentation. The vessel is a 56ft Oyster called S/Y Astahaya.

• Quickly learned new skills and applied them to daily tasks, improving efficiency and productivity.
• Used critical thinking to break down problems, evaluate solutions and make decisions.
• Servicing, installing and repairing a range of navigation equipment from basic handheld vhfs to VSATs.

The delivery was from Cape Town, South Africa - Victoria, Seychelles. My responsibilities included: Preparing the vessel for departure (provisions, bunkering, covering the vessel, passage plan, preventative maintenance). Watch duties, safely navigating the vessel, sailing, cooking, all maintenance of the vessel and preparing for the handover.

I worked as a deck cadet for Meridian Adventure Sail for 21 months. Through this cadetship program, I was trained to be competent in engineering, deck, sailing, interior and service. My duties were regular maintenance of all equipment onboard, washdowns, teak scrub, polishing stainless and gelcoat. The vessels I worked on were Lagoon 620 sailing catamarans. From the 7th July 2021 - 04 June 2022, I became the acting master of one of the catamarans in Indonesia.

The academy teaches those who enlist, a deep respect for the ocean and principles that will guide them through life. Succeeding here means that you have excelled at one of the toughest and most revered academies.

Engineering:

As a cadet, I learnt all aspects of engineering onboard. I was educated in everything from plumbing, electrics, servicing a variety of engines and generators, principles of a combustion engine and how to care for it. I became well versed in hydraulics and reverse osmosis and how to service the different onboard equipment. I learnt invaluable problem-solving skills and practical and efficient solutions to all situations.

Sailing, Spars and Rigging:

I was taught in depth knowledge of spars and rigging. Knowing where I am going, how to get there safely and what I will encounter along the way from a heavily researched passage planning. How to understand how weather effects your decisions, movements and gain spatial awareness that sets you ahead.

Galley:

I Studied the fine details of how to prepare and present food to the highest standard. How to anticipate the guests needs and recognize cues and nuances to deliver extraordinary culinary experiences.

Deck and Interior:

I maintained everything on deck as well as all the interior spaces of the vessel. From teak decks to linens, i learned how to approach the vessel from a professional perspective. I managed correct stowage, inventory reporting, ordering and monitoring supplies, as well as the vessels accounting.

• Conducted comprehensive safety drills for fellow crew members, reinforcing proper emergency response procedures and maintaining a high level of preparedness at all times.
• Supported shipboard firefighting efforts with expert knowledge of fire suppression systems usage.
• Improved docking procedures by implementing efficient line handling techniques, reducing time spent in port.
• Increased crew productivity by providing clear communication and direction during complex operations such as mooring and anchoring.
• Assisted with navigation duties, accurately plotting courses and monitoring weather conditions for smooth sailing.
• Contributed to successful voyages by performing regular maintenance on essential rigging components and ensuring their proper function.
• Assisted in the management of onboard inventory levels by conducting routine checks on supplies and equipment needed for daily operations.
• Promoted a positive work culture by mentoring junior deckhands and sharing accumulated industry knowledge.
• Provided support to engineers during engine room tasks when necessary, contributing to top-notch mechanical performance throughout voyages.
• Maintained the cleanliness and organization of all deck areas to ensure a safe working environment for crew members.
• Completed regular vessel inspections to identify deficiencies and coordinate corrective actions.