72ft Steel Yacht For Sale - One careful lady owner
Photo opportunity as record setting yachtswoman Dee Caffari hands over the keys to her yacht, formerly named Aviva, to its new owner Mark Richardson at 3.00pm on Saturday 6th January 2007 at UKSA Deck Games (Stand N192). Dee and Mark will then take part in a question and answer session on the stand.
Dee and Mark both trained at UKSA having embarked on career changes from their professions of teaching and managing petrol stations respectively. Dee has gone on to have an extremely successful career in sailing, working in corporate charter then entering into global racing with the Challenge Business before becoming the first woman to sail single handed non-stop around the world against the prevailing winds and tides. Mark hopes to make an equally successful career in the sailing industry and has been working on his new business venture for some time.
Mark graduated from UKSA’s Ocean Graduate course in December 2006 and purchased the 72 foot steel yacht in order to start his own business that will take paying guests on expeditions to remote locations where he can share his passion for adventure sports. When the Challenge fleet came onto the market Mark seized the opportunity to purchase a yacht perfect for his needs. With pick of the fleet he knew fellow UKSA graduate Dee’s yacht was the right yacht for his new venture and successfully purchased the famous yacht. The yacht has been re-named ‘Polar Bear’ and painted white ready for her arctic adventures.
Prior to studying at UKSA for his professional sailing qualifications, Mark used to work within a family business as General Manager running a chain of petrol stations in the North East. He always had a passion for the great outdoors and learned to climb at an early age. Mark left the family business to pursue his dream of sailing to remote locations to find unclimbed peaks and explore distant shores. Having planned the new business for several years, it was pure coincidence that Aviva became available just as Mark was nearing the end of course having gained his Ocean Master qualification. The timing means the transition from Mark leaving the family business, training for professional qualifications and then taking ownership of the yacht and starting the business has been seamless providing Mark with a great start to his new career.
Mark had no problem finding crew when it came to collecting the yacht from Lymington, a selection of his UKSA class mates were on hand to crew for him. ‘Polar Bear’ is now residing in her new home port Newcastle, where the business will be based.
Dee is pleased that the yacht she shares so much history with will be in good hands. “I am delighted to hear that the yacht that enabled me to set my world record last year has found such a good home,” said Dee. “I wish Mark every success with his new venture. He has some exciting plans for her future and knowing that she is made of tough stuff, I have no doubt that she and her crew will enjoy many years to come exploring the more remote areas of the globe.”
Mark took a bold step by leaving a secure job in the family business to pursue his dream, “"I guess you are never sure whether you are doing the right thing in changing direction so drastically. It hasn't taken me long to settle in though, and of course dreams are never there to be ignored.”