News - 13/04/17

Simon Banks is our friendly Dry Sailing Coordinator at Shepards, responsible for looking after the needs of all our Dry Sailing customers and providing a 7 days-a-week Dry Sailing service for day class yachts, RIBs, motorboats and trailered keelboats.

Prior to working in Cowes, Simon started his career as a tank driver, mechanic and air defence missile operator in the Royal Artillery. Since leaving the Armed Forces, he has spent time in the building and retail industries.

As a keen sailor, Simon then decided he wanted to work in the marine industry and was lucky enough to land himself a position with Cowes Harbour Commission at Kingston Marine Services as a Port Operative. He said: “I relished my role there, the training, and learning all I could about the lifting and storing of boats from the very professional team that Kingston has.

“I was then offered a role at Shepards Wharf as the new Dry Sailing Coordinator, which I started in March 2016. Since being here, I have been fully trained as a lift supervisor for all lifting operations. My job is to make sure that all Dry Sailing customers are well looked after on shore and in the water within our Marina.”

For this season, the Shepards Manager Jock Rafferty and Simon have introduced daily lifting operations and full Dry Sailing basin management to ensure customers can get their boat in and out the water whenever they want and receive a more personal service to whatever package they have at Shepards.

Simon added: “I do hope that I will get to meet many more of our Dry Sailing customers, whether you are an existing or a new customer, and that I can make your stay with us as enjoyable and comfortable as possible.”