Scott Whittaker

2014-Present: Captain / Asset Manager - Private Client

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• Managing Director, Marine Operations: Oversee and coordinate all aspects of marine services.

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96-foot Expedition Yacht (“Gayle Force”) - Jaluit, Marshall Islands

• Responsible for comprehensive vessel/logistics management as well as overall crew coordination and direction. Served as Ship's Captain onboard for a year-long journey of 25,000 nautical miles, following major refit /upgrades noted below. Safely navigated to ports of call including Patagonia (via Panama Canal), Antarctica, Robinson Crusoe, Galapagos Islands and more. 

• Closely consulted with owner throughout acquisition of  "Gayle Force," including detailed evaluation of the boat's structural and mechanical status. Prepared boat for sailing and served as Ship's Captain to navigate and pilot the vessel and its 30-foot trailing Safe Boat ("WireLine") for an initial cruising season in the Bahamas, Virgin Islands and Caribbean; coordinated all staffing, boat maintenance, shipboard clearances, logs, licensing and provisioning. Then managed comprehensive and strategic maintenance and refit/improvement project, including upgrading all major onboard systems; outfitting the boat for extreme climate cruising in domestic and international waters; and completely replacing exterior coatings. Also managed extensive boatyard security measures during Hurricane Irma.

 

74-foot Horizon Vision ("Seascape") - Sanibel, Florida

• First retained as captain to pilot the "Seascape" from Victoria, British Columbia, to and through the Panama Canal as well as extensive regional cruising in both Atlantic and Pacific waters; then retained as consultant to manage the successful completion of navigational equipment installation, including coordination of numerous warranty items and major maintenance projects, in Costa Rica. Ongoing maintenance management as required.

 

2011- 2013: Whittaker Marine - Multiple Clients

Based on Vashon Island in the Puget Sound between Seattle and Tacoma, Washington

Integrated a wide array of marine consulting services, ongoing maintenance management, and operations support as both Captain and Captain of Record. Special projects included:

 

Captain: 112-foot Westport ("Rent Spent")

• Served as relief captain for three months of cruising between Queen Charlotte Islands, British Columbia and Southeast Alaska; coordinated boat transition for yard maintenance at end of season.

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Consultant / Project Manager: 82-foot Horizon ("Jessica")

• Assisted an experienced boat owner on a late-season trip to/from Alaska with a detailed, time-sensitive electronics equipment project; first traveled aboard with owner from Seattle to Alaska to assess the problem and devise a solution for it; then, while underway on the return trip, collaborated from the boat with numerous Seattle-area contacts to design and build a custom radar arch that significantly upgraded the owner's electrical bridge navigation equipment; the arch was successfully completed and seamlessly installed upon the boat's arrival in Seattle, and the refit allowed the owner to continue his voyage south to the Panama Canal in a safe and timely fashion.

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Consultant / Project Manager / Captain of Record: 58-foot Hattaras Cockpit Motor Yacht, 1971 model ("Time Out West")

• Consulted closely with an east coast client to locate, acquire and prepare his "dream boat" for a personal adventure-cruise from Seattle to Alaska; coordinated some 20 special projects to ensure the boat was properly prepared for the trip (e.g. upgraded navigation and communication system); also located and coordinated the purchase of a 20-foot dragger/fishing boat. Accompanied client on the journey north to Alaska, assisting him with navigational notes for making the return trip on his own after a six-week sojourn in Alaskan waters. Upon client's successful solo-voyage back to Seattle, coordinated vessel haul-out and routine seasonal servicing and then located secure, long-term, out-of-water, covered storage for the boat.

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Consultant / Asset Manager: 105-foot Odyssey

• Collaborated with Deloitte Consulting, Vancouver, British Columbia, to manage the preparation of a 105-foot Odyssey motor yacht located in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, for presentation during the annual Yacht Show. Coordinated interactive customer visits prior to the show, resulting in an offer that closed three months later. 

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Consultant / Asset Manager: 70-foot McMullen & Wing Pilot House Sloop ("Maya")

• Carefully reviewed this unique, older boat at a broker's request and was impressed with its character and untapped potential; personally contacted the owner with a hand-written list of fairly inexpensive (though somewhat time-consuming) projects that could help him make the boat significantly more sale-ready. Ultimately worked with the owner intermittently for two years to refurbish the boat, including a haul-out for major rudder service, a/c and furnace system overhauls, and extensive deep cleaning. The boat was then reintroduced to market and sold quickly at a meaningful profit.

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2009-2010: Operations Manager / Electrical Consultant

Bowhead Transport - Prudhoe Bay, Alaska

• First served as consultant to Bowhead Transport and lead electrical technician aboard the M/V Stryker and the M/V Garrett to develop and execute a detailed plan to upgrade AC/DC electrical systems in Prudhoe Bay. Work was scheduled and successfully managed during challenging off-season weather conditions in order to maximize running time for the operating season. After completing the project and bringing both of the boats online, served as Senior Marine Operations Manager for summer operations at Bowhead in Prudhoe Bay.

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2008-2009: Consultant / Captain

58-foot Grand Banks motor yacht ("Desert Eagle") - Marshall Islands 

75-foot Fleming motor yacht (“Vamoose”) - Multiple Locations

• Managed on behalf of the owner a complete refit project for the 58-foot yacht "Desert Eagle" and then directed its move to market and facilitated its subsequent sale. Closely consulted with owner throughout acquisition and purchase of a 75-foot yacht "Vamoose."

• Managed and coordinated subcontractor work to bring the "Vamoose" to owner's detailed specifications. Served as onboard Captain for the "Vamoose," safely transporting guests and crew during six months of extensive cruising, including routes along the Connecticut and Hudson Rivers, the Long Island Sound, the New England Coastal area, Chesapeake Bay, the Bahamas, Florida and the US Virgin Islands. Managed all aspects of staffing, maintenance service, shipboard clearances, logs, licensing and long-haul provisioning. Ultimately directed the preparation and move of the “Vamoose” to market and successfully coordinated its subsequent sale.​

 

2004-2008: Captain / Consultant

79-foot Nautor's Swan sailing yacht (“Gyre”) - George Town, Cayman Islands

• Closely consulted with owner during acquisition of 79-foot sailing vessel "Gyre," rigged as a sloop. Performed detailed survey of vessel and managed work crew and yard during systems refit. Safely secured and navigated vessel to transport guests and crew to numerous domestic and international ports. Managed all staffing, maintenance service, shipboard clearances, logs, licensing and long-haul provisioning

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2003-2004: Captain / General Manager

Prince William Sound Charter - Anchorage, Alaska

70-foot Hatteras and 44-foot Chris Craft

• Safely piloted both vessels to transport guests and crew throughout the southeast Alaskan coastal region, the Inside Passage, the west coast of British Columbia, and the Puget Sound. Managed acquisition and sale of both of the vessels as well as providing overall service and maintenance management. 



2002-2003: Consultant / General Manager

58-foot Hatteras (“Islander”) - Seattle, Washington

• Managed work crew and yard oversight for total vessel refit including rebuild of motor and heating system, along with complete refinish of boat's interior and exterior. Removed and replaced all working and operational systems.

 

​​1997-2002: Captain / Operations Manager

65-foot Hatteras Sport Fisher (“Alaska”) - Seward, Alaska

• Safely navigated vessel and transported guests and crew through challenging Alaskan waterways. Managed all maintenance, repairs and service performed on the vessel. Provisioned vessel for frequent excursions and planned and prepared meals onboard.

Corporate/Private Retreat - Sitka, Alaska

• Supervised extensive remodel of private island retreat. Provisioned retreat for frequent guests. Organized day outings and overnight excursions. Planned and prepared special-occasion meals for guests. Managed all repairs and maintenance on site. 

 

​1990-1997: Owner / Operator

Pacific Yacht Service - Seattle, Washington

• Supervised custom work and repairs to wooden, fiberglass, steel and aluminum vessels as well as the installation of marine systems including electronics, heating and cooling, waste and water, hydraulics, propulsion, auxiliary power, gen-sets and inverters. Managed employees and daily shop operations including sales, project development, project scheduling, invoicing and collections. 

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​​1988-1990: Boat Builder / Sales & Delivery Support 

Brookins Boat Works - Honolulu, Hawaii

• Built cold-molded mahogany runabouts, including hands-on participation throughout the entire construction process as well as sea trials. Assisted company owner with sales initiatives and marketing activities involving vessel delivery and presentation at numerous national boat shows.

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​​1980-1988: Boatyard Manager / Progressively Responsible Yard Positions

Puget Sound Boatyards - Seattle, Washington

• Worked from the ground up in various Seattle boatyards, including CSR, Indigo, Best Boatworks and Northlake Boatyard. Initially performed rigging and repair work; then graduated to installing electrical and navigational systems, heating and cooling systems, and re-powering main engine and inverter systems. Served as project lead on numerous projects and ultimately as yard manager.

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