CHARLES MANFREDI
M/Y Baglietto 34 m
I met Captain Charles Manfredi at the "Varazze yard" right after
the new 34 metre Baglietto - he had just taken the command of it
at the time - was launched.
Where were you born and how did you begin working by yachts?
Well, I was born in Colchester, UK, but, when I was two years old,
my family moved to Sidney, Australia. When I was 10 years old my
father bought me the first sailboat (a seven metre Hood), on which
we sailed every weekend in all weathers. I had my first racer, 24
feet in length, aged 12 and an offshore/inshore East Coast 31, 10
metres in length, aged 14; I raced as skipper on it for the
Greenwich Club Flying Squadron. My family operated in Sidney in
the shipping industry importing semi - rigid dinghies at the time,
so since then I have been involving in the yachting world as
either a passion or a job. I left for sailing for six months
around Asia and Africa aged 20. Then I settled in Great Britain
where I began working with my girl friend on building tenders.
When did you seriously think about becoming a yacht master?
Well, when I was about 30 years old, it was a great recession and
I thought looking for a job in the yachting world. So I went to
nautical school for three month and aced out the Master Class 5
exam according to the Australian Rules. It's worth remembering
that, before entering whichever nautical school, a long navigation
experience as well as excellent references from masters of yachts,
on which the training was carried out, is required.
How useful has been your sailing experience to become shipmaster?
Well, sailing is very popular in Australia, so I have skippered 13
- 20 metre yachts for a long time. This training under sail has
allowed me to gain a great nautical experience far and wide.
Shipmasters are mainly to be found among sailors today.
Why have you remain in Europe?
Indeed, in Australia one can't make a lot of money since owners
think they offer the best job. In Europe it gets even better. This
is the reason why I decided to leave Australia.
Have you already made long cruising on board superyachts?
Of course. On board "Independence", American ownership, we cruised
from Europe to the Caribbean Isles and then till the Pacific
Ocean; we also sailed from here to New Zealand to watch the
America's Cup. In 2000 I crossed the Atlantic on board "Atmospher"
owned by a Frenchman.
How did you become the Master of this Baglietto?
Well, on my "fortieth" birthday last year, I decided to have a
working pause, I got married and after the honey - moon I went to
Great Britain with my wife, where we have supervised all works at
our new cottage near Portsmouth: We also have done it for our son
Luca. Having closed this important life parenthesis I have begun
navigating in summer for remaining with the family in winter and
working at the maintenance of the yacht. I have found my last
engage by passing the word on, the easiest way for communicating
in the yachting world.
What kind of cruising will you be making?
Well, the owner wants to make many but short cruises, at most a
week long. He'll be arriving at the established departing harbour
to make coastal cruises and stop in the most prestigious places.
At the end he'll be leaving and we'll be often calling each other
and deciding the next harbour.
Would you tell us something about your worst experience at sea?
Well, I remember a terrifying one. I was crossing the leg between
Australia and Tasmania, called "Bass Strait", on board an only 13
metre boat when I ran into a hurricane, the absolutely worst one
in my career; it means 100 knots wind, 50 metre high waves and the
anemometer needle fixed on 60 knots during the entire trip. It was
very hard to survive; I can say both boat and crew were pretty
good, indeed. Pure Australian sailor race!
And the most beautiful memoir of?
Well, I certainly remember a cruise in the Pacific, diving
wonderfully.
What about the role of shipmasters and the yachting world, in
which you usually operate?
Indeed, the yachting world gives the benefit of visiting the most
beautiful places in the world. Sometimes owners can't do that
because they usually have no time for. Of course, in the peak
season one's under stress, it means one works sixteen hours a day
without a break for seven days a week aside from being responsible
of the safety of yacht, crew and guests, to mention three of the
most important things on board, and the great living organization
that must go without any stumbling block.
I supervised all works at this new Baglietto under construction
and I should press as owner's representative the shipyard to end
each working stage on time till up the delivery and control the
quality of the work with great attention to detail, as well.
INFORMATION ON THE CAPTAIN
Name: Charles
Surname: Manfredi
Age: 41
Nationality: Australian
Education: MCA Class 5
Previous lead experiences: 20 years - running
career: sailing yacht "Adele" 52 metres in length (First
Officer), "Independence", a 53 metre Perini (lead), a 52
metre M/Y by Amel yard (lead).
Current engage: 34 metre M/Y Baglietto (Hull no. 10189)
Flag: British Cayman Isl.
Main yacht's features (project, materials, accomodation):
Aluminium custom pleasure Motor Yacht,
52 metres in length, max speed: 32 knots; five cabins for
twelve guests. Project: Baglietto in - house project studio.
Interior design: modern design by Architect Francesco Paskowski
Favourite Marinas: Sidney, Ibiza, Porto Cervo
Favourite Routes: Capri, Sardinia
What kind of yachting innovations does impress you greatly and why?
Doubtless the "Broadband", namely internet via Sat right in the ocean.
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