Simon Jinks
Director of SeaRegs Training and Plymouth Sailing School
Simon has a background in technical maritime journalism and writing in the marine press, including Yachting Monthly, Motorboat and Yachting and Motorboats Monthly. He was then a Chief Cruising Instructor for the RYA, managing the Yachtmaster programme for sail and motor vessels and RYA navigation and safety courses. This led him and his wife Vicky to launch SeaRegs Training over 15 years ago where Simon leads the development, design and delivery of marine training courses, the provision of safety, training and technical documentation and technical advice and consultation for vessels and organisations.
Vicky Jinks
Director of SeaRegs Training and Plymouth Sailing School
With a wealth of maritime experience both on and off the water, Vicky is a very competent dinghy and yacht skipper, and her career prior to SeaRegs included working for the International Sailing Federation (ISAF) and Olympic Solidarity, part of the International Olympic Committee. Along with her husband, Simon, Vicky started SeaRegs training over 15 years ago and has navigated the company forward to now include over 10 employees and 7 boats.
Graham Walker
Chief Instructor
After a short Army career, Graham continued to pursue his passion for teaching and love of the water as a powerboat instructor in Salcombe. After a few years, and having graduated from Plymouth University with a degree in Building Surveying, Graham arrived at SeaRegs Training.
When not on the water, Graham is a keen skier and outdoor sports enthusiast, who spends his time off the water up in the mountains or anywhere else an adventure may take him.
Rachel Miller
Office Manger
Rachel moved to Plymouth in September 2022 to complete her master’s in clinical psychology at the University of Plymouth. She is originally from Texas, so Plymouth was a nice change of pace and location. She loved living in a city close to sea and decided to move over permanently. She loves spending her weekends at the beach and on the water (when its warm outside).
Rachel is responsible for our apprenticeship and enrolment administration here at SeaRegs, she spends most of her time emailing and chasing the apprentices to ensure they complete their tasks.
Jen Roles
Maritime Training Coordinator
Jen has previously been working in various roles in the events/hospitality industry, so maritime is rather different! She has always loved being near or on the water. As a child, she was taught me to row by her Dad on a family holiday in the lake district, and has since enjoyed anything that involves a paddle – Kayaks are good, but paddle boards are better! Jen has two children who are also starting to get used to the boards too.
At SeaRegs, Jen works part-time in the office (Monday to Thursday and every other Friday) to support the admin staff.
Jack Chivers
Instructor
Jack has grown up on and around the water. With a particular interest in traditional and classic vessels. As with many of our team Jack started dinghy sailing at a young age. Progressing to teaching dinghy sailing as soon as he turned 16. While completing his degree in Outdoor Adventure Education at Plymouth Marjon University Jack took the opportunity to expand his experience in a variety of sailing vessels. Progressing to senior instructor at dinghy sailing centres and working in the deck team on large square rigged sailing ships. Towards the end of his degree Jack took on a full time role in sail training as 1st mate on a variety of large traditional vessels.
When not at work Jack enjoys working on and sailing his own yacht, a Bruce Roberts 370C. Jack’s passion for all things nautical is palpable and he is in his happy place when sailing on, or working on, boats of any kind. Jack looks forward to meeting you and helping you to achieve your goals on the water.
Bryan Mermagen
Freelance instructor; Powerboat and Motorboat, RYA Shore based Courses
Originally a climber and mountaineer, Bryan changed his career path in his mid-30’s when he started his adventure at Plymouth Sailing School.
After gaining his Dinghy certificate, his first excursion was to demonstrate to his wife his new skills by sailing up the river Tamar. Not having taken much notice of the tide lectures, he found himself trying to return home against a strong tide and dying wind, returning home 2 hours late.
Bryan built his confidence and experience by racing GP14's, Laser's and Sigma 33's, as well as delivering vessels of all shapes and sizes.
Even as an instructor, he is still learning and the advances in technology and the unconquerable weather makes this industry a very rewarding sport and career. You’re never too old to start!
Chris Greatorex
Engineering Instructor
Chris joined the Royal Navy at 16 as a Junior Mechanic, starting on steamships he was later selected for Artificer training and went on to serve in various ships and shore establishments before leaving as a Charge Chief after 23 years. Realising that the sea was still in his blood he then joined P&O Cruises as a 4th Engineer, this new career saw him serve worldwide on P&O, Cunard, Princess and P&O Australia ships in a variety of roles through the ranks before being promoted to Chief Engineer 2015, finally retiring from the cruise industry in 2021.
In his spare time he enjoys walking, particularly along the South West Coast Path.
Scott Breckenridge
Freelance Instructor
After spending 20 years as a Royal Marine, Scott embarked upon a career in Maritime Security within The High-Risk Areas of the Indian Ocean, Somali Basin and Arabian Sea.
He is now a freelance Maritime Security Consultant accredited by both DfT and MCA to deliver security courses in the maritime environment.
Originally from the historic shipbuilding town of Clydebank, he learned to paddle his dad’s Klepper Canoe on Loch Lomond and the Firth of Clyde.
His interests now include driving a safety boat for his local Sailing Club and paddling on the Exe.
Scott is also an alumni of the University of Plymouth.
Jerry Webster
Freelance Instructor, teaching our ECDIS, SQA Radar, Crowd and Crisis Management, Security, PSSR, and VHF/SRC courses
Jerry first went to sea as a Cadet with the Cunard Steamship Company in 1977 he served on a variety of ships during his 4-year cadetship before taking his 2nd Mates ticket in 1981. He moved to Rowbotham Tankships in 1982. The Company owned the largest fleet of coastal product & chemical tankers trading around the NW European continent, whilst there Jerry worked up from 3/O to Chief Officer, gaining his Masters Certificate in 1988.
After a couple of years ashore as Assistant Marine Operations Manager, he moved to P & O Ferries, running from Portsmouth to Le Havre & Cherbourg for 15 years, serving on conventional, cruise & HSC ferries, working up from 2/O to Master, gaining the first command in 1997.
Jerry had a short spell as a “Fleet Safety Specialist” with Northern Marine, undertaking ISM Auditing and Fleet Training on ro-ro vessels & VLCCs.
In 2008 Jerry joined Meridian Marine Management as Master serving on many of their ro-pax & ro-ro vessels in the Baltic, North Sea & English Channel and laterly Travemunde in Northern Germany to Ventspils in Latvia.
Paul Cunningham
Freelance Instructor, teaching our MCA HELM (O), PSSR, Survival, Stability and Master 200 prep courses. Paul also teaches and assesses our AEC course and instructs navigation to ocean level
Paul started his career as a commercial fisherman (chief engineer). After 9 years at sea, he joined a firm of Marine Engineers as a Sales and Engineering Director.
Paul has gained numerous qualifications through the years and spends his time instructing, vessel surveying and compass adjusting. Relief Captain and/or deliveries of yachts and Superyachts to 3,000 tons. Marine Consultancy to a diverse selection of navigation and technical engineering companies within the marine market.
Joe Lovelady
Freelance Instructor, MCA HELM (O), Stability and Master 200 prep courses
Joe was the Chief Admiralty Pilot for Plymouth, overseeing the safe passage of thousands of military, auxiliary and commercial craft, including the vast nuclear deterrent Vanguard Class submarines, in and out of city waters during his 41 years service.
Having previously served for five years with the Merchant Navy, Joe spent the latter 14 years working for the Queen’s Harbour Master as chief pilot at the Long Room port control station at Stonehouse.
Joe has worked his way up from working as a tug master on the much smaller tugs to shepherd to overseeing as the Chief Pilot the entire operation of assisting the largest vessels in the Royal Navy such as aircraft carriers and US Navy warships.
Thomas White
Freelance Instructor
Tom's love of boating was launched by exploring the inlets and creeks of the Crouch and the Blackwater on the east coast. After spending 20 years in the Lloyd's of London insurance market, he moved onto the water full time- making the career switch to instructing! He teaches the powerboat and motor cruising schemes and holds the LKE for the River Thames, where he skippers commercially (when not instructing).
When not on the water, Tom can often be found thinking about being on the water.
Will Davies
Freelance Instructor
Will has been messing about in boats since he was around 10 years old, the Sea Cadets gave him a sound foundation in sailing, kayaking and diving. He studied marine sciences at university and gained his dinghy instructor and powerboat safety boat qualifications in order to work afloat during the summer breaks.
After University in the late 90’s, Will joined the Royal Navy Reserve which provided lots of sea going opportunities and plenty of yachting through adventurous training. He met his wife through sailing and together bought a 37’ yacht in 2005 and spent 18 months journeying aboard from Plymouth to New Zealand. Upon return in 2007 he gained his Yachtmaster offshore sail and a while later his Cruising Instructor qualification. Since this time he has continued to gain experience and instruct the RYA cruising scheme under sail and power in a part time capacity while working full time in different maritime roles.
From 2008 – 2011 he was the assistant harbour master at Falmouth and since 2011 has been a Technical Specialist and Skipper for the University of Plymouth where he skippered a range of work, research and dive vessels.
Will still finds time to enjoy sailing with his wife and three children, and they spend their free time afloat along the South coast of Devon and Cornwall, the Isles of Scilly and the North coast of Brittany, and even managed to spoil the kids by taking a year out from school and work together in 2017 during which time they sailed together to the Caribbean and back, now they spend lots of time talking about when they can repeat such an experience together…
Philip Hammond
RYA Shore based instructor, London
Phil has spent his entire life in and around the River Thames. In 2017 he decided to leave his long-term management role in the City to follow his passion to work as well as play on the water. As a commercially endorsed Yachtmaster, holding the LKE for the River Thames, when not teaching in the classroom Phil can be found working on London’s busy stretch of water. As with many members of the SeaRegs’ team, Phil is a Sigma 33 enthusiast, co-owning and racing Woozle Hunter on the East Coast.
Brian Deacon
Powerboat Level 2 and Sailing Instructor
Brian caught the boating bug at age 13 when he was trusted with an Avon Inflatable and a 10hp mercury outboard. After spending his teens hooked on speedboats, he worked as a trainee instructor for the first dedicated ‘Motor Cruiser School’ until he was 18! Feeling the need to have a proper, job he trained as a teacher and then was drawn into a career in sales and marketing but was converted from “The Dark Side” to sailing in his mid-20s.
He finally navigated himself back to his passion when he left the corporate world to take up Sailing and Powerboating Instructing. From his Devon home, he seizes every opportunity to get on the water and loves to pass on his knowledge.
Ben Weedon
Freelance Instructor
Ben Weedon is a watch leader and instructor with the Fire Service he teaches our MCA First Aid courses. Ben is also an RYA SRC Assessor and Powerboat Instructor.
Kerri Cuthbert
Media Manager
Kerri grew up in a small village called Stilton, in Cambridgeshire, where she spent much of her free time kayaking the many canals and exploring the Norfolk broads on canal boats with family and friends.
Whilst working for a global publisher as a graphic designer and photographer, the company decided to merge with their Exeter branch, and Kerri agreed to relocate to Devon in 2011, where she enjoys sea kayaking and spending time with her partner at his family boatyard, Blackness Marine in Dartmouth.
You can contact her at media@searegs.co.uk.