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Jay MacDonald of Gulf Harbour achieved the top accolade in the 2023 Marine and Specialist Technologies (MAST) Academy graduation last month, walking away with the “outstanding marine graduate” title.
Jay, who works at Gulfland Marine in Whangaparāoa, was one of 145 graduate apprentices recognised for their achievements at an event at the Royal NZ Yacht Squadron on March 14.
Special awards were presented by Olympic gold medallist rower and America’s Cup yachtsman Rob Waddell, who also addressed the graduates and guests.
Born in New Plymouth, Jay went to school in Whangaparāoa, and enjoys spending time on the Gulf on the family boat.
“I love the sea,” the 22-year-old says. “I was always the one person who, if we were near to the water, I was always in it. My parents would be walking down the beach and I’d be running through the water.”
Following his marine apprenticeship, Jay says his next goal is to become a qualified Mercury outboard technician.
Gulfland Marine provides apprentices like him with a full range of skills – “boat rigging, fitting all the electronics, servicing, trailer work – we do everything and we learn everything.”
MAST graduates represent a range of industries including boatbuilding, composites, marina operations, marine systems engineering, outboard servicing, powerboat rigging, coatings and sailmaking.
The graduation ceremony was attended by representatives of a number of marine-related industries, highlighting what MAST says is “the interconnectedness and collaboration essential for developing skilled trades people in our sectors”.
“It’s reassuring to know that the future of the industry is bright with such talent,” MAST chief executive Chris van der Hor says.
