Kevin McLean

At the age of 21, this North East English native took the chance and jumped at the chance to sail (oh so green) aboard a sailing schooner bound from Spain to the West Indies and onwards to the US. Two years later he was yachting in South Florida as captain on a large (for the time) motor yacht. After numerous charters, deliveries and professional ocean sail racing he settled on the shores of Buzzards Bay, Massachusetts, and for 10 years fished Georges Bank and the rugged North Atlantic, learning the business from the deck upwards until eventually owning and operating his own trawlers.

With fish increasingly scarce, Kevin studied at sea for a commercial master’s license and secured a captain’s position with a major oil field supply company. Working as master aboard offshore tugs, supply ships and research vessels, mostly in Latin America (Spanish speaker) Kevin increasingly specialized in the formal training of Latin crew and sailing ships to US shipyards for refit and US Coast Guard Certificate of Inspection.

Taking a break from seafaring, Kevin worked as a journalist for marine publications, writing technical articles, policy and features. Later he joined a marine research group in Woods Hole, MA, as Director of Ocean Programs including the sole responsibility for designing and fitting gear and machinery for low environment impact trawling.

Returning to yachting in early 1990 he plunged into the charter business as master on megayachts for over a decade and a half, running between: the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Bahamas and Central America; and the US from Alaska to Maine until coming ashore to work in management and regulation.

Professional Qualifications:

• USCG Master of Oceans, 3,000 Gross Tons ITC
• USCG Z Card Unlimited AB
• ISM Lead Auditor, Maine Maritime Academy, June 2002
• Company/Ship Security Officer, Massachusetts Maritime Academy, June 2004.

In July 2001, Kevin was elected as MEMBER of the prestigious NAUTICAL INSTITUTE based in the UK.