Name: Paul Brackley
Nationality: British
Age: 52
Current Yacht: Ambrosia III
Previous Yachts: AMB Fantasia/Land’s End, Candida A, Philanderer, Beaugeste, Blue Narwhal II, Ambrosia II, Magdalus III, Espiritu Santo, Xanadu, Lady Candy

OCEAN: How did you start out in the yachting industry? How did you work your way up to becoming a superyacht captain?

At the bottom! I started unpaid on a German converted North Sea trawler from 1905 cruising the Gulf of Lyon. We had only a depth sounder, magnetic compass and a good book of lights! After this ‘baptism of fire’ I got onto a 50-metre classic motor yacht as deckhand, moving to second engineer when the opportunity arose. I eventually rose to chief on various yachts and eventually as relief engineer on Ambrosia II whilst at the same time studying for the MCA Class IV Master’s licence.

As engineer, many of my earlier yachts were sailing yachts where I combined the maintenance of sophisticated electro-hydraulic sail handling systems with watch keeping. Sailing yachts also travelled more extensively at that time whereas motor yachts frequently wintered in the Mediterranean.

OCEAN: Where have you spent most of your time cruising as a professional yachtsman?

That’s hard to remember. The earlier years were spent in the Med during summer and the Caribbean during winter with a bit of ‘R ‘n R’ in Palma in between. I also spent a lot of time in shipyards, mainly in Viareggio and Livorno. In fact I spent so much time in Viareggio that I ended up buying the local restaurant, literally. Everyone is welcome to Il Bar Sotto il Mare in front of the Benetti main shed in Via Coppino, Italy.

OCEAN: You must have had some pretty exciting adventures in your time as a superyacht captain. What has been the most exhilarating and challenging to date?

That’s easier, It would have to be when our mast broke on a 38-metre sloop a few hours out of Funchal on the way to Antigua. We were heading due south to avoid another nasty depression that was tracking East when the mast snapped just above the first spreaders. This was quite a surprise as the manufacturer had just completed the annual survey and we were motor sailing with the mainsail completely furled. The swells were already quite big but we were able to secure the mast to the hull with very little damage occurring. However we were not able to motor and it was not safe to attempt to cut the mast.

We sent out a mayday from a jury rigged VHF and SSB and received replies from a merchant ship and the Portuguese navy who sent a helicopter. Cunning pilots offered to take the female crew off, which they did and then returned to Porto Santo. We remained waiting for a tow back to Funchal, which was only a few hours away. Unfortunately the weather worsened and by the time a Portuguese navy frigate arrived the waves were so bad their propellers were coming clear out of the water. Their captain instructed us to transfer to his ship as he could not remain on station as the forecast was for hurricane strength winds. We complied with his request stating our intention to return as soon as possible. The rescue was quite tricky transferring to a Fast rescue boat and in fact one Portuguese sailor broke his arm quite badly recovering the boat. After the passage of the storm we in fact recovered the yacht, but that would be another story altogether.

It will suffice to say, we won the race.

OCEAN: If you could cruise to one place in the world you haven’t already visited, where would you go?

Probably the west coast of America from Alaska through to Canada and the USA to Mexico.

OCEAN: You have been based in Hong Kong since 2003, what do you like most about living there?

I really enjoy mountain biking and doing at least an hour every night in Tai Lam country park with a 1,000-foot climb (and descent) before a cold beer at Le Bristol. On weekends, I go for longer tours and find the contrast between the bustle of city and the calm of nature to be quite relaxing. I have seen monkey, deer, porcupine and even cobra. Lan Kwai Fong? Where’s that?

OCEAN: Tell us a little about your company Central Yacht Ltd and what it specialises in?

We started off just surveying and representing owners, but with Xanadu we got more into the design, especially of the sundeck and various toys, including the tender. From that it was a short step to developing an entirely new arrangement that I new would be practical, efficient and luxurious. This was Lady Candy, which we presented to the eventual owner and was built in Livorno in 2013. We just delivered another 55-metre vessel based on Lady Candy (though not its exterior style, which reverts to Benetti), and she arrived in Hong Kong late this year. We also advise on marina, port facilities and crewing.

OCEAN: As build-captain for a number of Benetti Yachts including Lady Candy, Xanadu and Ambrosia III, can you tell us a little about the yard and your experience working with them?

I speak adequate Italian and find working with the Italian craftsmen and technicians very rewarding. I prefer to have meetings on board with the guys rather than around a table with office people who don’t understand the practical issues. After so many years, I am allowed a certain freedom to do this that is not possible anywhere else.

OCEAN: In general, what has been the most rewarding experience working with the owners throughout these builds?

The moment when Lady Candy came out of the shed for the first time was quite incredible! Unfortunately I was not there but at the airport meeting the boss. I really enjoy the creative element, finding solutions to owner’s problems.

OCEAN: What can you tell us about your current role with MY Ambrosia III?

We are coming up for the 10-year Lloyds survey and also doing a major cosmetic refit. I am also trying to upgrade a few systems, especially propulsion control, to improve reliability and economy.