MARK HOLROYD

Sailing Experience

Mark has had a passion for the sea since his first experience of sailing, aged 5, in his fathers gaff-rigged fishing boat. Later he sailed dinghies and wind-surfers and became a keen diver. In 1985 he started sailing yachts and cruised and raced his first fist boat a 34’ UFO extensively. He has raced in the Fastnet, the Arc, at Cork, Cowes, BVI and Antigua and completed many ocean passages logging over 100,000 miles.

He has an amazing amount of knowledge and experience having lived on Meniscus since 1996 and sailed in all the worlds oceans as well as do deliveries and relieving crew on other yachts and motor vessels up to 25 meters.

He has run his own RYA recognised sailing school since 1993 and since then has specialised in running Skippered Yacht Charters, Learn to sail Holidays and RYA Courses around the world. He has run many RYA Practical and Theory Courses and given additional Instruction. He has taken clients on Voyages Cruises in all the world oceans.

Currently Meniscus is cruising in SE Asia with destinations to Langkawi, Malaysia - Phuket, Phi Phi, Thailand - Mergui - Myanmar Burma

RYA Yachtmaster Instructor Examiner

Mark is a fully qualified RYA Yachtmaster Instructor Examiner which enables him to teach all aspects of teh RYA sylabus and examine students for Coastal Skipper and Yacht Master exams. Since leaving his position as an executive in the leisure industry in 1993, Mark has run a Royal Yachting Association approved sailing school and Meniscus has been surveyed as an approved RYA sail school. If requested, instruction can be given towards practical RYA certificates during the trip (see courses). A sextant is carried on board for those studying for Yachtmaster Ocean.   

RYA Yachtmaster Commercial

Licensed to skipper boats up to 80’ or 24 metres, trained in Survival at Sea and holds the Ships Captains Medical Certificate.

Advanced BSAC Diver

As an experienced diver Mark enjoys exploring new areas especially when there is a possibility of food for the pot.

Jolly Good Cook!

Some years ago Mark trained as a chef, and has managed both pubs and restaurants. He has effectively adapted these skills to the confined conditions of a yacht’s galley and rustles up hearty meals whatever the conditions. Food on Meniscus is always the freshest and healthiest food available and is bought, whenever possible, direct from local markets and not from supermarkets or othe rconvenience stores. Depending on availability there is always a range of local and international cuisine. He particularly enjoys serving the local delicacies.