AT THE HELM
Owain Rowlands talks to Frances and Michael Howorth about his job as Chief Officer and Relief Captain aboard Ulysses and explains why it’s important to be professional
Why did you join the superyacht industry? I come from a long line of seafarers. Both my father and my uncle are at sea serving in commercial ships and I spent quite a lot of my childhood at sea on ships with my dad. I guess it was inevitable that I would go to sea. I started by volunteering with the RNLI in Moelfre Anglesey, North Wales.
Which is your favourite Mediterranean port and why do you like it?
I always enjoy entering Bonifacio with its beautiful cliff face and the village sitting up at the top with all the tourists looking down on the water. It can sometimes be a challenge to manoeuvre the yacht all the way down to the berths at the bottom of the inlet but when you eventually get down there it always feels like a great achievement.
What is your favourite restaurant or bar in the Mediterranean and why is it special? There are a few I enjoy but one that jumps out at me now is the Beef Bar in Monaco, it has great steaks. I like it for its elegant architecture, chilled atmosphere and gorgeous view on the Fontvieille port.
Which is your favourite Mediterranean anchorage and why do you like it? I have a few favoured spots in and around Corsica but Girolata on the west coast of Corsica must be my favourite. The red cliffs and little coves you can visit with the tender are just beautiful.
How does being at sea in yachts affect your family life?
I have now got a new born son and I am sure that addition into my family will complicate the way I spend my time at sea away from home making things a little more stressful.
What makes your yacht special? I love the colour of this yacht. Her black hull and cream topsides really stand out and make her look very special.
What would be your ideal yacht and where would you like to sail in her? To sail in an explorer yacht would be a dream come true. I would love to venture off the beaten track and I have always wanted to transit the North West Passage.
40 | AUTUMN 2017 | ONBOARD
What is the worst weather you have encountered at sea?
There have been a few times I have been out in rough weather with the RNLI. The Irish Sea can be a challenge but the one that springs to mind was as we rounded Cap Corse at the Northern end of Corsica. That night we found ourselves fighting a 4 to 5 metre swell. It was not much fun.
Do you have a pet hate and if so what is it? I find it troublesome when I encounter crew who drink too much.
If you had a magic wand what would you change in job?
I would really like to see my colleagues who serve in superyachts report near misses and incidents by using confidential reporting services like CHIRP so other people within the industry and new people coming in get to learn from other mistakes.
Name your top 5 fantasy charter guests? I guess if I invite Hugh Heffner he will bring a few bunny girls with him!
What’s the most curious request you have had made of you by a guest?
I was once asked if we can keep moving the yacht when she was at anchor so the sun doesn’t get into their eyes.
What is the most funny superyacht experience you can recall?
It happened a little while ago when one of our junior deckhands posed a question after he had been part of our crew for some time. He asked “Why do engineers wear a clover leaf on their epaulettes?”
What do your crew do really well? They work well together and best of all we always have a laugh.
What advice would you give to someone new entering the industry? Keep your head down work hard and maintain your drive, set a goal and aim high.
How do you think your crew talk about you behind your back?
I hope it’s good stuff but not everyone sees eye to eye all the time! After all, I hold a
position of responsibility and sometimes have to use an authority that can get some crewmembers talking among themselves!
What have you learned from your crew? I learn something new from them every day.
What do you believe the next big thing in yachting will be?
Yachts will continue to get larger and that’s a shame because truthfully I think they are getting too big for their owners to truly enjoy and they are getting so big our job will get even harder and eventually less enjoyable.
QUICK FIRE QUESTIONS
What was the last film you saw in a cinema? Hatton Garden Heist
Your favourite style of cuisine? Indian
What food do you most dislike? Mexican
What would your last supper be? Steak and chips with pepper sauce followed by Chocolate Soufflé
Name 3 of your dream dinner party guests?
My mum, dad and my sister who sadly past away
Where would you most like to visit? Patagonia
Where would you want to retire? Anglesey, North Wales
What sport do you most like to watch? Rugby
What is your best childhood memory?
Cruising in the Caribbean
Do you have any pet peeves? Crew who do not sign in and out
What’s your most treasured possession? My new born son Shane
What have you done spontaneously lately?
Bought a house without even seeing it
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