34 QUESTIONS WITH CAPTAIN EMILE COETZEE, M/Y HURRICANE RUN
34 Questions with Captain Emile Coetzee
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Captain Emile Coetzee. Thank you to Camper Nicholsons for the image.[/caption] (AXXESS MARINE) How did you become involved in Yachting?
(CAPTAIN) Set out from Cape Town on a sailboat many years ago to see the world; I still have not finished …
(AXXESS MARINE) What was your first job in yachting?
(CAPTAIN) Sailing on Meroe of Kent, a 90-ft schooner in the Caribbean. Chartered from Antigua to SXM. Then, sailing on 70-ft Sangermani yawl, Tivoli in New England.
(AXXESS MARINE) What is your most memorable experience at Sea?
(CAPTAIN) Seeing the joy on my daughter's face when she saw whales at sea south of the Bahamas.
(AXXESS MARINE) How long have you been with Hurricane Run?
(CAPTAIN) 10 years. Since build.
(AXXESS MARINE) What is it that keeps you in the industry?
(CAPTAIN) It is what I know. I enjoy the daily multi-faceted challenge.
(AXXESS MARINE) How has the acceleration of technology impacted your career?
(CAPTAIN) I receive emails at work or at play, at home or on board. Being able to stream movies at sea. Having a technician remotely access various systems on board to repair a problem rapidly. Facetime calls to solve on board problems. Photos quickly sent to enhance explanations. More work gets done in a day. To the benefit of guests.
(AXXESS MARINE) Are there marine industry innovations on the horizon that excite or interest you? (If so please detail.)
(CAPTAIN) Not really. I prefer reliability, so I tend to utilise tried and tested solutions.
(AXXESS MARINE) Is there a person in the industry you admire? (If so who, and why?)
(CAPTAIN) Anyone who pursues excellence at whatever level of responsibility.
(AXXESS MARINE) What quality do you believe a person must possess to succeed in the yachting industry?
(CAPTAIN) Experience. Knowledge. Adaptability. Confident leadership.
(AXXESS MARINE) What do you think is the biggest challenge that the marine industry faces in the next few years?
(CAPTAIN) Ensuring that bureaucracy does not reduce yacht ownership to a level where owners decide to leave what is essentially a recreational industry.
(AXXESS MARINE) Which marine industry events or shows do you look forward to each year and why?
(CAPTAIN) Antigua Boat Show, for catching up with industry friends in the friendly Caribbean.
(AXXESS MARINE) What is the best piece of advice you've received? (personal or career)
(CAPTAIN) Do not try to save money by avoiding essential maintenance. Yachts are expensive. Spend the money wisely.
(AXXESS MARINE) Best advice you’ve given to someone else? (personal or career)
(CAPTAIN) You do not achieve anything without sustained effort.
(AXXESS MARINE) What is the trait you most admire in others?
(CAPTAIN) Ability to empathise, motivate, and lead.
(AXXESS MARINE) What is the trait you most deplore in others? (Do you have a pet peeve?)
(CAPTAIN) Dishonesty.
(AXXESS MARINE) Which words or phrases do you most overuse?
(CAPTAIN) Kurwa (Polish). “Every Day is a Monday” – every day the yacht must be run professionally.
(AXXESS MARINE) What hashtags would your crew/friends use to describe you?
(CAPTAIN) #talkative
(AXXESS MARINE) Do you have a favorite quote or personal motto?
(CAPTAIN) Live every day with empathy and awareness.
(AXXESS MARINE) Favorite book or a book you are reading now:
(CAPTAIN) Homo Sapiens, Yuval Harari, great summary of where we have been as humans on this planet and insights into where we are going.
The Tao of Pooh by Benjamin Hoff. Life at its most essential.
(AXXESS MARINE) What do you look forward to doing when the season slows down (or does it?)
(CAPTAIN) Does not really slow down, the nature of the work changes; guests and navigation, give way to yard supervision and the inevitable crew changes, that give way to Atlantic Crossings.
But, when there is a slowdown, I look forward to going home and being with my family and walking the dog.
(AXXESS MARINE) Do you have any favourite trips or cities you like to visit?
(CAPTAIN) Many years ago; Pacific cruising, specifically Moorea in French Polynesia – stunning volcanic beauty. Great French Polynesian culture. Favourite city is Barcelona; culture, food, beaches, hills, arts, great marina (Port Vell), and waterfront for long boarding!
(AXXESS MARINE) Is there anywhere you want to visit soon?
(CAPTAIN) Norwegian Fjords and Alaska.
(AXXESS MARINE) Do you have a favorite sport to watch?
(CAPTAIN) Premier League and European Champions league Football!
(AXXESS MARINE) Are you involved in any sports/hobbies?
(CAPTAIN) Kayak, paddleboard, cycling, skateboarding, hiking. Photography. New restaurants.
Lightning Round of Questions
(AXXESS MARINE) Lightning round of questions here!(AM) iPhone (IOS) or Android? (EC) Love iPhones. Prefer Microsoft Windows.
(AM) Phone call or text? (EC) Email.
(AM) Digital watch or analog? (EC) None.
(AM) Twitter, Facebook or Instagram? (EC) Facebook.
(AM) Music or pod cast? (EC) Listen to audible books.
(AM) High tech or low tech? (EC) High tech.
(AM) Cocktail or Beer? (EC) Wine.
(AM) Coffee or Tea? (EC) Coffee
(AM) Batman or Superman? (EC) Wolverine … no, Batman.
(AM) Late night or early morning? (EC) Early morning.
(AM) Med Season or Caribbean Season? (EC) Both.
A special thanks to Emile for taking the time to speak with us! Stay tuned for more interviews with respected superyacht Captains and industry giants... Meanwhile, click here to learn more about Axxess Marine's Data and Coverage Plans.
Check out one of the interviews in the Axxess Marine "Interview With" series.