Personalised category 1 Preparation Support

Obtaining a category 1 safety certificate for the first time can be a daunting prospect. I can support you in this process to ensure that it is smooth and you are properly prepared.

My name is Angus Willison & I am a New Zealander who has sailed small boats offshore since 1993 ranging from South America to Langkawi in Malaysia. I have refitted my own boats in preparation for ocean voyaging & been involved in new builds on behalf of owners & builders who require technical oversight.

I spent over 10 years as the head Yacht Inspector for New Zealand running the safety & technical programme for yachting in New Zealand & latterly as an elected member of the World Sailing Offshore Special Regulations sub committee.

As a Yacht Inspector I have assisted hundreds of people prepare their vessels to safely & enjoyably sail internationally. As the head Yacht Inspector I held very high standards for the vessels that I was responsible for & in a few cases was criticised for upholding those standards. In other cases I completed consecutive inspections for owners who appreciated my thoroughness.

I have provided governance oversight for international & domestic sailing events & provided regulatory oversight for organisations allowing them to operate within the appropriate legal framework. I have been instrumental in accident investigations involving New Zealand registered vessels off shore & domestic accidents resulting in fatalities.

I have advised the Maritime New Zealand, the Coroners, various Harbour Masters, Police, & the New Zealand Customs service on matters relevant to yachting.

I have sailed with all age groups. My wife & I took our young family from New Zealand to New Caledonia, a distance of almost 1000 nautical miles, when the youngest was 3 years old. Eighteen months later we embarked on a voyage from French Polynesia to Australia. My long time delivery crew is now 82 & he has just completed a 1000 nautical mile voyage from Noumea, New Caledonia to Mackay, Queensland, Australia in June 2023.

I am an active delivery skipper most recently delivering a 12 metre catamaran from Tonga to Auckland where I was tasked with mentoring the owner who was a proficient sailor but had not completed any offshore miles

I hold the following yachting qualifications,

• RYA Yachtmaster offshore
• RYA Yachtmaster ocean (shore based)
• STCW
• Advanced sea survival
• Offshore medic

Discounts available for Island Cruising & Down Under Rally members

For more details please contact me on:

Phone & WhatsApp: +64 21 560 011

Email: angus@willison.co.nz