Oliver Mills-Nanyn
This is the blog of Oliver Mills-Nanyn, an experienced deckhand with a passion for travel, adventure and photography. This blog will explore various aspects of Oliver’s seafaring career and his hobbies, covering topics such as safety precautions superyacht crew must adhere to, the Yachtmaster exam, windsurfing and sailing regattas lined up for 2023.
Career and Education
Having worked as part of the crew on several motor and sailing yachts, Oliver knows the importance of crew safety precautions while on board. For example, it’s important that the potential hazards of the anchoring process are carefully assessed and any identified risks mitigated as much as possible. This should include the identification and clear marking of snapback zones and danger areas around anchoring equipment.
Oliver has many seafaring qualifications, such as the RYA PWC, the RYA PB 2 and the RYA Yachtmaster Offshore accreditation. The latter givers participants the skills required to skipper a cruising yacht on passages during which the craft is 150 miles or less from harbour. The course culminates in an examination, during which a participant’s skippering skills, general seamanship, boat handling, navigation, safety awareness and knowledge of meteorology, signals and the IRPCS are assessed.
Hobbies and Interests
Oliver loves a variety of water sports, including windsurfing. Classed as an extreme sport, windsurfing is an adrenaline-filled but potentially risky activity and, as such, it’s vital that participants take sensible steps to reduce the risk of coming to harm. Precautions to take include always wearing a lifejacket and helmet, always attaching the uphaul to the sail when going out onto the water, and always letting someone know where and when the windsurfing will take place so the alarm can be raised if necessary. Taking classes at an RYA certified centre is highly recommended.
Sailing Regattas
Seafarers regularly take part in one or more of the sailing regattas that are held throughout the year. In 2023, these include:
The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup
The Maxi Yacht Rolex Cup, which will run from 3rd to 9th September and is a highlight of many Maxi racing calendars. The race is staged off the Costa Smeralda in Sardinia and attracts highly skilled crews, dedicated owners and exceptional yachts.
The Les Voiles de St Tropez
The Les Voiles de St Tropez is scheduled to run from 30th September to 14th October 2023. The event is the largest gathering of Maxi yachts in the world and is organised by the Societe Nautique de Saint Tropez, in partnership with the International Maxi Association.