Meet Our Instructors

At the CA, we find professional and dedicated instructors to steer you on the right course for that crucial certificate, they are always contactable outside of lesson hours for advice and support. Below is some more information about who you might have as your instructor as well as links for the courses that they teach for us. 

If you are an instructor interested in teaching for the CA, contact us to register your interest. You don't have to be based in London, we are often looking for instructors elsewhere in the UK.  

Peter served in the Merchant Navy for 14 years and many years experience teaching nautical subjects at all levels at the City of London Polytechnic. He has been a consultant and expert witness for a variety of cases in the maritime area, particularly weather related incidents. He has experience in teaching and organising yachtmaster shorebased courses since 1970. He has an 8.6m Seamaster motor cruiser.

Peter Jackson teaches Yachtmaster (Offshore) and Yachtmaster (Ocean)

Don Palmer

Don began sailing in his teens, an ancient half decker and the East Coast creeks his teachers.   His love of traditional vessels led to trips as bos'un on a sailing trawler, watch leader and bos'uns mate on tall ships, watch officer on the training Brig "Royalist", mate on the sailing barge "Ethel Ada" working on charter around the East Coast and six months at sea as watchkeeper on the squared rigged Caravel "Matthew of Bristol." He owns a traditional wooden sailing boat.

Don Palmer teaches the Dayskipper course.

Bob Hadley

Usually known as Dr Bob. Retired Consultant Surgeon who was introduced to cruising whilst practicing abroad in the '70s. A yacht owner, He is particularly interested in head injuries and hypothermia, the most common afflictions for yachtsmen and women. He has taught First Aid for 25yrs and for the last 10 has run the twice yearly two day courses at the CA.

Bob Hadley teaches shore-based first-aid

Graham Gardner

As a young man he earned his living at sea as a deck officer in the merchant navy. He has also been a small boat owner, owning a Leisure 29, and now a RIB, and six metre Humber Ocean Pro.  He manages a liferaft service station, and see liferafts and deals with marine safety equipment every day. He has been teaching the RYA Basic Sea Survival Course for the past fourteen years, and sometimes is called in by the RYA to help instruct new sea survival instructors.

Graham Gardner teaches the Basic Sea Survival Course

Mike Tyrrell

One time National Fireball racing skipper, and now semi-retired, spends much of his time afloat cruising and racing his gaff cutter ‘Sea Eagle’ on the East Coast.  Since Mike retired from putting the spark into things like the Tornado aircraft and took to the water, he has been chief instructor, flotilla skipper and winner of the East Coast Old Gaffers Trophy.  He started his own sailing school “The Essex Sailing School” in 1981, and likes to continue teaching whenever possible.

Ray Kay

Ray is a very experienced skipper who has been teaching as a fully qualified Yachtmaster Instructor since 1994.  He has been a professional sail training skipper on yachts including Nicholson 55s and Training Officer at the Joint Services Sailing Centre and has also worked for various sail training charities. He has completed three Atlantic crossings and sailed extensively in the Mediterranean and Canary Islands.  Ray used to own a Nicholson 30, and now has a Miller Fifer motor sailor which he often overwinters in Limehouse Marina. Ray enjoys passing on his wide experience and knowledge and likes to ensure that the practical application of his theory training is well understood. 

See List of Courses

To book for these Courses (please quote Course reference code) contact the Office at CA House.

Email:CA House

Tel: +44 (0)20 7537 2828

Fax: +44 (0)20 7537 2266