In 1962 at the age of 13 Paul entered HMS ‘Conway’ Merchant Navy Training School where he was taught ‘ to sail o’er the waters’ He joined the Blue Funnel Line of Liverpool as an apprentice deck officer in 1966 and achieved a Master Mariners Certificate in 1978. 

In 1979 Paul joined Plymouth School of Maritime Studies as a Lecturer. For 12 years he was involved with cadet and deck officers training. He also taught RYA Day Skipper and Offshore shore-based courses. Following the closure of training at Plymouth in 1992 Paul transferred to the Shipping and Logistics Group of the newly formed Plymouth University. He became Head of Group in 2000. In 2006 he was appointed to be an Associate Director of Plymouth University’s Marine Institute.

Paul was awarded the Merchant Navy Medal for ‘services to maritime training and to the Nautical Institute’ in 2013.

In July 2014 Paul retired. Paul first became involved with the Tectona Trust in 2009 as an Adviser and from 2018 as a Trustee. He became Chairman in 2019 following the unexpected death of Roger Crabtree.

Paul - Chair

Chris first sailed on Tectona when she was the sail training vessel for the Plymouth School of Navigation and he was a cadet there. He served as a navigating officer with Shell and obtained a BSc in Nautical Studies at Plymouth. On obtaining his Master Mariner’s Certificate, he “came ashore” into positions with Shell International, including Marine Operations Manager in New York, General Manager Chartering, MD of Marine Personnel in the Isle of Man and culminating as GM of Shipping Standards worldwide. After retiring from Shell he became the Maritime Director of the Confidential Hazardous Information Reporting Programme, a charitable trust that receives and follows up reports of near-misses.  He is a Member of the Nautical Institute and is a keen dinghy sailor. Chris was pleased to become a Trustee when Tectona Trust was established in 2009 to help people, particularly those recovering from mental health or addiction problems, benefit from the experience of voyaging on a fine traditional sailing vessel.

Chris - Secretary

I’ve been sailing since I can remember and was lucky to grow up sailing on the West coast of Scotland. I became involved in sail training in 2010 and since then have spent my summers volunteering and working through gaining my professional qualifications. After graduating from university I worked in a different profession for three years however I never quite managed to quell the urge to be at sea again.

It was Tectona that brought me to this beautiful part of the south coast and since sailing on her I’ve had the privilege to be part of creating some lasting memories on some truly life changing trips. I’m excited to be part of the team that will be sailing with you on board next season and I look forward to the journeys we will undertake together. 

Jen -1st Mate

My love of sailing and being at sea began on a voyage as part of the tall ships races back in 2005. I had never dreamed of being a sailor before that trip but something about the power and otherworldliness of the sea changed me in a big way. I came home with a self-belief that I hadn't realised I was lacking. Over the years I gradually built my path to becoming a professional seafarer, collecting great experiences and memories along with my qualifications.

Somewhere along this path I came across a very unique boat with a very special history; Tectona! I sailed on her as a volunteer in my late teens and I am very proud to sail on her as a skipper now! Sailing many miles in many different boats has led me to appreciate that amazing things happen to people who go to sea. Every trip I make on Tectona I see people change into the very best of themselves. They begin to respect themselves and others a great deal more. This is something I wish to share with others and I look forward to sailing and sharing it with you, cup of tea in hand!

Aidan -Skipper

My love of tall ships started on the Lord Nelson sailing with able boded and disabled people. I was feeling low and needed an adventure. Being at sea with others, challenged by the environment and the weather it became a life changing experience.

Hauling ropes, working as a team with my watch, sailing under the stars with huge white sails…it was just what my soul needed.

I now live in Plymouth and have found the Tectona Family and I am working hard to raise funds to let people in Recovery share the experience I had.

Jen - Raiser of Funds

I have had the privilege of being on board Tectona as a leader of my Scout groups expedition during the summer of 2018. An incredible experience that will stay with me for the rest of my life. After hearing all about the amazing journey that Tectona and her dedicated team were about to embark on, I wanted to help in anyway I could. With a background in product design, I decided to offer my skills to the team to aid them in developing their Brand. 

​

The brand that has been created in partnership with the Sailing Tectona Team and reflects the fun, friendly, adventurous and life changing experiences that Tectona and her team provide. I count myself incredibly lucky to work with such a passionate team and to help, even in such a small way, develop this organisations future. I wish Sailing Tectona all the best for its future.

Graham - Media