Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Mike has been a sailor from the age of sixteen.  His chartering experience includes several years working as a charter captain for both The Moorings and Sun yachts in the Caribbean.  He worked for five years on a 112’ sloop and also a year on a 100’ cutter, chartering and cruising in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, Europe and the East Coast of the United States.

Mike knows SAFARI very well, having (as of mid-June ’07) logged a total of 8,000 miles onboard, including two Atlantic crossings.  For the last 30 years his life has revolved around boats and people and is described as “easy to get along with and loves meeting new friends.” 

In the thirty years since he started sailing, Mike has sailed over 200,000 sea miles, averaging nearly 7,000 miles a year.  His voyages include one circumnavigation - mostly single handed - and sixteen Atlantic crossings.

In addition, Mike has a multitude of yacht racing experience including 3 Aghullas races in the Southern Ocean, numerous Antigua race weeks, Rolex cups and Swan weeks; plus local races in different countries around the world.  To his credit he has himself built three yachts for his own use, a 37 footer with a fiberglass hull and two 47 footers: one with a steel hull, and a trimaran, with a plywood hull. 

Thrilled to now be captaining a high performance catamaran, Mike says, “… on a truly magnificent yacht like SAFARI, I look forward to once again giving others the vacation of a lifetime.”

 Licenses and qualifications:
Yachtmaster Offshore
Diesel/Petrol Mechanic
PADI Rescue Diver
Royal Navy Diver