JAMES SMYLY
DOB: 15th April 1987
Nationality: South African
Location: Caribbean
Visas: B1B2 visa valid till 23rd July 2028
South African Discharge Book
Driving Licence: Full & clean, held for over 10+ years
Health: Excellent, Non-smoker, ENG 1 valid till January 2022
No tattoos, no piercings
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CONTACT INFO
james.smyly@gmail.com +1284 3403403 james.smyly
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PERSONAL PROFILE
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My watersports and ocean experience entails jet skiing, skiing, and sailing the family Hobie Cat in the local dam, skippering boats from the beach through the waves off the coast of South Africa, snorkeling the aquarium in Kosi Bay and becoming a PADI Divemaster in Sodwana Bay.
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Logged 9 742 nautical Miles working on a research yacht and completing a yacht delivery.
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I have also been fishing my whole life, mostly from the coast off rocky outcrops, but also on charter boats and fishing skis, and have been lucky enough to catch pelagic species such as Tuna, Wahoo, and Dorado as well as many reef fish.
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I am my family's go-to handyman, whenever something breaks I am the one called to fix it. I enjoy working with my hands and tools. Over the years I have painted, varnished, done electrical and plumbing work laid tiles as well as carpentry work including fixing and building cabinets and sundecks.
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STCW, valid till Feb 2025 Scubapro Service Technician
PDSD, valid till March 2025 IYT Small Powerboat & Rib Master
AEC PYT Elementary Seamanship
PWC SAMSA Under 9 m Surf Launch Skipper
VHF SRC MCA Yacht Rating Course Completion Certificate
PADI Divemaster Nitrox Diver
Moonstone Business School of Excellence 2011 - 2013
Higher Certificate in Wealth Management
Maritzburg College 2000 -2004
English, Afrikaans, Mathematics, Physical Science, Economics & Geography
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
July 2021 – September 2021 SY Sol Liv 18m Catamaran Deckhand
Assisted with delivering a new build Voyage Catamaran, Sol Liv, from Cape Town South Africa to Tortola, BVI. One of three watchkeepers. Duties also included running the water maker, pumping the black tanks, bunkering fuel, servicing Yanmar engines and Fischer Panda generators, wash downs, cleaning stainless and assisting with mooring.
Oct 2020 – Jun 2021 MY Angra Pequena 22m Research Vessel Third Engineer
Commercial motor yacht with berths for 10 crew and accommodation for up to 6 scientists. The vessel is used for research and conservation expeditions off the coast of Southern Africa. I was part of an engineering team of three. We conducted research expeditions during my time onboard where we deployed baited remote underwater video cameras (BRUV’s), a remotely operated vehicle (ROV), and boomer geographical surveys.
Onboard we had two Detroit engines with 374kW of power and a Fischer Panda generator. Some of my duties onboard included operating the Davit crane, checking and filling the water levels with the watermaker, bunkering fuel, and anchoring and security watches in port. I was involved with all aspects of machinery maintenance, routine engine and equipment checks, and engine room watchkeeping duty. Moreover, I assisted the deck team with mooring, anchoring, and general maintenance.
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Jan 2020 – Sep 2020 South Africa Lockdown
I took January off the prepare myself for yachting, I moved back to the city and got myself ready for the upcoming courses. February was spent in Durban doing courses at Professional Yachtmaster Training. In March I completed my PDSD and PWC in Cape Town and flew to Pretoria to get my discharge book, then lockdown struck. I kept myself busy by spring cleaning and taking care of various maintenance jobs at my Dad’s flat where I was temporarily based, I also managed to:
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Complete a TEFL course in July
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Complete My AEC course in August
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Build a cupboard and deck for my neighbour, Kerri Holder
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Help my Dad with his surveying business when lockdown restrictions were eased
Feb 2019 – Dec 2019 Pisces Diving Divemaster Trainee
I went from a complete beginner to obtaining my PADI Divemaster certificate, I also acquired my skippers' ticket with a diving and surf launch endorsement, allowing me to skipper boats up to 9m and practice my tender driving skills. During my time at Pisces, my duties included:
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Morning Boat and Gear Prep
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Beach Setups
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Snorkel and Scuba Guiding
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Wash Downs of Boat and Gear
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Gear Care and Maintenance
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Assisting with Scuba Diving Courses
June 2011 - Jan 2019 ShawBiz Financial Planner
Working as a financial planner greatly improved my verbal and written communication and social skills. I had to dress well and be well-groomed to impress potential clients, looking good made me feel good and contributed to my self-confidence and positive attitude. I was always a few minutes early and well-prepared for every meeting.
Jan 2005 – May 2011 Various Companies Sales Representative
Straight after school, I worked as a barman in the busiest pub in the city, after a year I transitioned to an internal sales job for a labeling company which I used to further improve my soft skills. Following this I made the step up to sales representative at an audiovisual company, learning about various systems one of which was Crestron.
HOBBIES & INTERESTS
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Currently learning to free-dive, spearfish & surf
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Completed the Dusi Canoe Marathon, a three-day, 120km race that includes paddling and running
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I also completed the Amashova Durban Classic, a 106km cycle race between Pietermaritzburg and Durban
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I enjoy a game of squash
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love playing golf, in my first year playing golf I got voted the most improved golfer and had got my handicap down to 6
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I enjoy reading autobiographies and crime novels or listening to audiobooks and podcasts when traveling
REFEREES
Dr Jean Harris Angra Pequena Captain
Ph: +27 61 421 9638 jeanh@wildtrust.co.za Time Zone: GMT +2
Gary Dainton Dainton Yacht Deliveries Delivery Captain
Ph: +27 (82) 833-4573 gazzad@yahoo.com Time Zone: GMT +2
Peter Louwrens Angra Pequena Relief Captain
Ph: +27 (83) 786-3640 peterlouwrens@gmail.com Time Zone: GMT +2
