As the ‘Head of Compliance’ with direct responsibility for all ISM, ISPS and MLC issues for SY Black Pearl, the largest private sailing yacht in the world.
In recognition of his extensive Maritime background and experience David was elected as an ‘Associate Fellow’ of The Nautical Institute in July 2012 and is the ‘Superyacht’ representative on the Marshall Islands Quality Council and Chairman of the Yacht Advisory Group for Europe.
David commenced his maritime career with a Deck Officer apprenticeship at Trinity House before completing a successful career in the Royal Navy spanning over 35 years. His postings included the Senior Naval rating at the Defence Intelligence and Security School and the Senior Warrant Officer at the Joint Service Intelligence Organisation. These postings led to David being awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for services to the Intelligence community.
For his final appointment in the Royal Navy David was selected by the 2nd Sea Lord as the ‘Command Warrant Officer’ of the surface fleet, the most senior position in the Royal Navy Fleet for a non-commissioned officer.
On leaving the RN David joined ‘Carnival UK’ as an ISM/ISPS Compliance Auditor before being promoted to ‘Fleet Training Manager’ directly responsible for all occupational Health, Safety and Security training throughout the Carnival UK fleet comprising of the P&O and Cunard Cruise liners.
Jan 2012 saw a change to the ‘Superyacht’ industry where David joined a US based Yacht Management company running the UK office in the position of ‘Senior Compliance Officer’. The position included the roles of ‘Designated Person Ashore’ and ‘Company Security Officer’ with full ISM/ISPS/MLC responsibility for 22 Superyachts.
During his time in the Superyacht industry David has assisted in the delivery and registration of a number of new build superyachts from 40 to 106 meters working with well know yacht builders including Lurssen, Feadship, Amels, Hakvoort and Oceanco.
For the last 18 months David has been employed by ‘Divergent Yachting Ltd’ as the ‘Head of Compliance’ with direct responsibility for all ISM, ISPS and MLC issues for SY Black Pearl, the largest private sailing yacht in the world. This involved constructing all the yachts SOP’s, Checklists, Safety Procedures and Risk Assessments and working with the legal team, flag state, Class society and Insurance Company to ensure a successful delivery and registration.
In recognition of his extensive Maritime background and experience David was elected as an ‘Associate Fellow’ of The Nautical Institute in July 2012 and is the ‘Superyacht’ representative on the Marshall Islands Quality Council and Chairman of the Yacht Advisory Group for Europe.
David has had a number of articles published in Superyacht related magazines and was recently on the expert panel at the ‘Superyacht Design Forum’.