My career in the marine industry officially began at the age of 18, although I had been around boats for as long as I can remember. Growing up with a strong connection to the water, pursuing a life at sea always felt like a natural path.

At 18, I made the decision to leave New Zealand and step away from my apprenticeship to fully commit to the marine industry. I began working on a fishing charter operating on the Swains Reef, where I spent several years gaining hands-on experience and developing a genuine passion for life at sea.

As my career progressed, I chose to pursue both engineering qualifications and skipper tickets. My goal was to become as versatile as possible while gaining experience from both the engineering side and the navigation and vessel handling side of vessel operations.

I later transitioned into the commercial shipping sector, where I continue to work today. Starting as a Second Engineer, I progressed to the role of Chief Engineer, building valuable experience along the way.

Taking the risk to leave everything behind at a young age ultimately proved to be one of the best decisions I have made. That journey and industry experience led to the creation of Wright Marine Group — a company built on real marine experience and a genuine understanding of the importance of connecting skilled marine professionals with the right opportunities.