Introducing the Crew!

One of the most astonishing features of the Project it is almost entirely volunteer based. We employ only four full time staff to run the Project. Each voyage is run by the volunteer Afterguard, which normally consists of a Skipper, a Mate, two Watch Officers and two Watch Leaders.

Safety and Security

The Afterguard on the yachts are qualified for their rank as required by the Royal Yachting Association (RYA) and the Maritime and Coastguard Agency (MCA). It is a condition of sailing on the Project yachts that all the Afterguard have an up to date clearance with the Disclosure and Barring Service.

The Crew

The Afterguard

The Afterguard is the collective term for the volunteers on the boat, and typically made up of 6 people. On a Sail Training Voyage (STV) there can be up to 13 young people, referred to as the ‘Crew’ or the ‘Trainees’, on board in addition to the Afterguard. The Trainees are normally divided into two Watches during the voyage.

To be a member of the Afterguard, each volunteer is expected to participate in one refit weekend, one familiarisation voyage and one Sail Training Voyage per year. They are also invited to make a voluntary donation.

Are you already a volunteer at the Rona Sailing Project?

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Roles Onboard

The Onshore Team

As well as our highly experienced Afterguard, the Rona Sailing Project has the onshore team who organise the voyages, fundraise and ensure the maintenance of the fleet!

NEW Project Director to be announced soon!

Brid Barrett stood down as Project Director after nearly nine years in post.

An announcement will soon be made as to who will succeed her! In the meantime if you wish to make contact with for Barry Corke, who has kindly agreed to be interim Project Project Director please email him on

director@ronasailingprojectdirector.org.uk

Ann Bowers (Project Secretary)

Ann, who has lived in Southampton for the majority of her life, joined the Rona Sailing Project in 1998 as the part time Project Secretary. Before this she had worked at a commercial sailing school and then taken a sabbatical to raise her family.

Ann’s role has grown alongside the Project and she became full time in 2003. During her time with the Project she has seen many changes and improvements, and has also taken up the opportunity to sail on a few trips in the position of Supernumerary.

Outside the Project, Ann is involved with raising awareness and funds for Group B Strep Support, a cause close to her heart.

Email: ann@ronasailingproject.org.uk

Jason Howell (Project Engineer)

Jason started with the Project in 1985, working alongside his father who was the Fleet Officer. Jason is the Project Engineer and as such has been involved in the build of both Rona II and Merrilyn. Before joining the Project he was a sheet metal worker.

Jason has, on occasion, sailed as a Watch Officer in the RSP. Outside of the Project Jason has a passion for steam engines and motorbikes.

Steve White (Fleet Coordinator)

A renowned shipwright, Steve joined The Rona Sailing Project from Hamble Yachting Services (HYS), in January 2020. In his various roles with HYS over the years has worked on all of our vessels including Gunna and the original Rona and was involed in the build of Helen Mary R.

In his spare time, Steve enjoys gardening, DIY and classic car restoration.

Email: steve@ronasailingproject.org.uk

The Trustees

William Whitehouse-Vaux

William has been a Trustee since 1995 and has been chairman since November 2012. He practiced shipping law as a barrister after university in Italy. He has cruised and raced various boats onshore and offshore.

Alan Richardson

Alan joined the Project in 1962 as a Watch Officer. He became a Skipper in 1963 and Skipper Emeritus in 2006. He became a Trustee in 1987. Alan read Law at university. His career was in the printing and packaging industries. Alan was a Sea Scout.

Giles Thorley

Giles has been a Trustee since 2002. He is a barrister by training with careers in banking, business and private equity. He managed the fundraising for both Merrilyn and Lady Shona. He has sailed many classes of dinghy from Laser to Hobie Cat. He completed his RYA Competent Crew with Chris Wolley on Lady Shona before completing his RYA Coastal Skipper qualification in Croatia.

Duncan Farrant

Duncan joined the Project as a Trainee in 1971, becoming a Skipper in 1985 and a Trustee since 2005. He worked as a chemist at the University of London, then joined the Pharmaceutical Industry working for Wellcome (later Glaxo Smith Kline). and finally for Cambridge Display Technology.

Chris Matthews

Chris joined the Project in 1969 as a trainee, becoming a Skipper in 1980. He became a Trustee in 2012. Chris studied construction management and has worked for residential developers. He was a Sea Cadet.

William Heathcoat Amory

Billy became a Trustee in 2012. He read Business Management at University. After 10 years at an investment bank he now runs his own business in London marketing investment funds.

Becky Shaw

Becky became a Trustee in 2013. She is Chief Executive of East Sussex County Council and, since 2020 also Chief Executive of West Sussex County Council. This dual role is unique in local government. Becky has worked in local government throughout her career, primarily in London, before moving to East Sussex in 2000. She read Politics and Economics at Bristol University.

Dawn Bishop

Dawn became a Trustee in 2013. She currently works within Education in Hampshire. Prior to this, Dawn was involved in maritime events, including Tall Ships Races, and also worked at the Royal Yachting Association promoting opportunities for disabled sailors. Dawn enjoys cruising with her family.

Chris Beane

Chris joined the Project more than 25 years ago as a ‘Supernumerary’ and has been a Skipper since 2000.  Having initially qualified as a Chartered Engineer, Chris moved into Human Resources and for most of his career worked for a major contractor in the Oil Industry with a particular focus on International Projects.  Chris lives in Yarmouth on the Isle of Wight where he races a Folkboat and is frequently on the quayside to take the mooring lines of the Project boats when they visit.

Andy Wright

Andy started his outdoor education career as a kayaker, but in 1993 was introduced to the Rona Sailing Project and after his first voyage received an Amory Award and was recommended for Watch Leader training. This started his passion for yachting, coaching and volunteering with the RSP. Andy became a Skipper in 2007. Andy works for the RNLI as an Area Lifesaving Manager, managing the stations and lifesaving plan in North Somerset and North Cornwall. He is also a self-employed Maritime Trainer and holds the RYA Yachtmaster Instructor Trainer appointment, amongst other RYA qualifications.