The pleasure of the job
Peter Neaves is a professional yacht delivery skipper. His job has seen him and his crew deliver vessels across the globe’s great oceans.
The excitement of global sailing is often realised when Peter goes to work, but there are also tough times, not included in the brochures. Cyclones, rough ports, food, gas and fuel shortages, as well as no wind hundreds of miles from land.
Peter has amassed many thousands of sea miles; many of them having their own stories.
His latest delivery in many ways is payment for the tough ones. Departing Sydney’s Cruising Yacht Club’s marina this week, Peter’s latest charge is named Diomedea; 43 feet of luxury, sloop-rigged, ocean-going heaven. Recently refitted to an exacting standard, Diomedea has a glistening urethaned teak appointment, the latest in navigation equipment, and what is not operated by push button electric motors, is gas or diesel fuelled; including a diesel cabin-heating system.
Taking this vessel from the eastern coast to Western Australia across the Great Australian Bight is a route most sailors would fear, but Peter is an old hand at crossing this tract of ocean, which can be treacherous for the novice.
“The superb condition and sea-worthiness of Diomedea gives me great confidence in taking this route. The weather patterns are reasonably predictable for the experienced, and with a vessel such as this one, sailing becomes the ultimate pleasure. Having that pleasure as my job, my profession, as a sailor, I could ask for nothing better.” Peter said. – Story and photos by Duane Langley
