Presenters

Martyn Johnstone

Martyn brings an incredible 45 years of maritime experience to the South West Maritime Academy team. His passion for the sea was sparked at age 11 by his grandfather—an archetypical sailor—and led him to join the Sea Cadets in 1980. This early foundation launched a diverse and distinguished career that began in commercial fishing before moving to the Royal Navy, where he served for 22 years. During his naval service, Martyn operated globally as a Seaman and Bosun, conducting critical operations including replenishment at sea during active conflicts.

Since leaving the Royal Navy, Martyn has continued to work at the sharp end of the industry. He has spent the last eight years involved in Marine Search and Rescue (SAR) operations and currently works for Briggs Marine. He brings this wealth of real-world knowledge directly into the classroom, believing that true seamanship is best learned from those who are actively doing the job. His teaching style is defined by patience, deep technical knowledge, and a desire to see every student succeed.