Sea staff

OYT Scotland vessels are operated by a mixture of employed Sea staff and volunteers

Daniel Russell
Position: Staff Skipper

Dan Info

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Kerry McMillan
Position: Staff Skipper

Kerry Info

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Alistair Carter
Position: Staff Mate

I come from Durham in the north east of England. I finished school in 2007 after completing my A-levels. In my final year of school I got the opportunity to sail on board a tall ship called Prince William and after those 10 days I was hooked! I then went to the University of Nottingham and studied Geography. I took a gap year after graduating and volunteered for a sailing charity based in Kent. During my gap year I completed the ASTO Skippership Scheme. By the time I finished my year at the Morning Star Trust I knew I had to be at sea!

I'm really looking forward to sailing on the west coast of Scotland (very different to the south east coast of England). I'm also really to again be involved with an organisation that makes the development of the crew it's number one priority.

I'm going to be sailing in the role of First Mate on board Alba Endeavour. A great opportunity to learn about how the challenger boats sail and handle, as well as visiting some great places on the way.

I'm hoping that during my time at OYTS I will learn to be a better sailor, I'm also really looking forward to meeting lots of people from different backgrounds and with different interests.

When I'm not sailing, which my friends and family will tell you is hardly ever....I'm a bit of an adrenaline junky so love any kind of outdoor sports; mountain biking, hiking, snowboarding and rowing are my favourites.

I'm looking forward to meeting all if you through the season and at the weekend away in late February. I love the ethos of OYTS and hope to learn loads from you all this season as well as helping to make OYTS be even better than it already is through the developments we make during this season.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Laura Robertson
Position: Staff Mate

Hello!! Back in 2008, I attended the OYTS Training Seminar with the view of becoming more involved with the trust as a volunteer. I remember chatting to Nick Fleming (probably about how much I was enjoying my previous job) and he convinced me that coming to volunteer with the trust for six months as part of the Project Scotland scheme was a good idea. Well, I was enjoying myself so much that turned into a year! I've worked within sail training since at Gordonstoun school and I'm now excited to be back with OYTS.

I am going to be working as Staff Mate onboard the Trust's vessels. Things I hope to achieve while working with the Trust are to get more people interested and for them to come back as volunteers. Im also looking forward to playing a more important part in running voyages and ensuring that everyone has a great experience. Personal achievements would probably be to improve my youth working skills with young people from lots of different backgrounds, and to perhaps become better at the cereal box game...

Outside of work, I enjoy catching up with family and friends, going to nice places, making hats and sleeping.

I'm really looking forward to getting back involved with the trust, catching up with old friends and meeting new people.

Hope to see you soon!

Laura xx

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Craig McNeil
Position: Staff Mate

Craig Info

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Paul Steel
Position: Staff Mate

I started at OYTS at the age of 16 doing a Project Scotland placement starting as bosun and working my way up to 2nd Mate… After doing 1 season aboard Alba Explorer and two refits I moved on and went to the Caribbean to gain experience in working on posh yachts and doing deliveries. Now I’m back and working as 1st Mate aboard Explorer and looking forward to an exciting season and seeing you all out on the water.

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Peta Koczy
Position: OYTS Cadet

I first sailed with OYTS as a young person in 2009, following this I trained as a bosun and also sailed to the Faroe Islands on the Young Leaders Development Programme. At the end of last season I started the OYTS Skippership scheme to work as a cadet with the trust.

I'm really looking forward to working with the wide range of young people and volunteers that sail with the trust and also going to some awesome new places. Hopefully by the end of my year on the Skippership scheme I will have achieved my Yachtmaster and will be working towards my first mates assessment.

In my spare time I love to catch up with my friends and family. I also like cooking and baking and lots of outdoor sports like kayaking, skiing and dinghy sailing.

I can't wait to meet everyone volunteering this season new and old! See you all soon! :D

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Dougal Murray
Position: OYTS Cadet

Dougal's Info

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Ben William's
Position: OYTS Cadet

ben's Info

This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

Click here for information on the roles of our sea staff.