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.
- Lead Instructor: Efficient Deckhand (EDH) Course.
- Royal Navy Veteran: 22 years of service, achieving the rank of Bosun and serving in multiple active conflicts.
- Lifting Operations Specialist: Extensive experience conducting LOLER examinations for the RNLI, tug fleets, and industrial factories.
- Marine SAR: 8+ years of active involvement in Marine Search and Rescue operations.
- Industry Expert: Over four decades of hands-on experience, ranging from commercial fishing to modern marine support vessels with Briggs Marine.
- Specialist Skillset: Master of traditional and modern splicing, knotting, and rigging.
Martyn is a true custodian of traditional maritime skills. He has a profound passion for ropework, dedicating his spare time to preserving the "skills of the past" that have served sailors for centuries. He runs his own specialist company, The Bosun Rope-works, where he produces everything from traditional bell ropes to modern Dyneema berthing lines.
His craftsmanship is renowned; his knot boards have been displayed at the Merseyside Maritime Museum, where he has also run workshops teaching knot-tying to the public. He was even commissioned to create a bespoke piece of ropework as a gift for HRH Princess Anne. While he champions tradition, he is equally enthusiastic about modern fibre technologies and splicing techniques, ensuring he stays at the forefront of industry developments.
