Under full sail

"The open sea can calm the senses and put matters into perspective. It should be made accessible to everybody," says West.

For a job, captain Jerry West flies the skies; for recreation, he sails the seas. While not everybody can fly a plane, he believes anyone can own a boat. He should know because
he sells affordable boats. By Sara Sayed.

The sea is the only thing that stays relatively constant. It affords peace and quiet, and lends perspective to the fast pace and madness of city life.

It was a search for affordable boats that inspired captain Jerry West to set up a business in Dubai to meet that need.

For most UAE residents, owning one is a distant dream.

"You cannot ignore the stresses of a fast-paced city life, but you can sail off to relax and unwind," says West of Emirates airline and managing director of Nautech Middle East, a company that sells a diverse line of affordable Grand Marine boats.

"The open sea can calm the senses and put matters into perspective. It should be made accessible to everybody," says West, whose quest to make boat ownership affordable has finally been realised. (The boats range from Dh10,000 to Dh100,000, depending on size.)

West, a former RAF pilot who became a commercial pilot for Virgin Atlantic before joining Emirates, moved to the UAE in 2001. In Dubai, he went through the process of 'starting over'.

He had left Virgin Altantic following the uncertainty in the aftermath of 9/11, which affected the aviation industry in the US and Europe.

"Before I joined Emirates, I was in command training at Virgin, and was about to become captain. When I started with Emirates, I had to start from the bottom as a First Officer.

It was difficult. I completed three years in this position before becoming a captain. I have been one now for three-and-a-half years. I fly the 777 and its variants for Emirates. I fly everywhere, except long hauls to Sao Paulo, Brazil.

Making the sea accessible to all is so appealing. The sea is the only thing that stays relatively constant. It affords peace and quiet, and lends perspective to the fast pace and madness of city life," he says.

I

I will always be grateful to my father for his encouragement. He'd say, "If you are prepared to work hard, you can achieve anything."

I was more interested in sports than academics, but I enjoyed maths and statistics. I loved the clarity, sense and order these subjects gave.

I believe in giving people a chance and ideas a go. I think too often fear and/or ignorance can prevent people from achieving their dreams.

I have always enjoyed bike riding and flying autogyros, but haven't engaged in either activity since I've been here. (The first I think is too dangerous, and the second isn't available.) So for me in Dubai it's about boats.

I recognised the need for affordable boats, safe and sturdy ones that would hook to cars and SUVs, store in a garage and put to water easily.

Nautech boats are Canadian rib rigid inflatable boats. They are most commonly used for search and rescue operations and by government coast guards.

They have a rigid hull with a tube around the outside, and are lighter and more environmentally friendly than other boats. (They require less power and are fuel-efficient.)

I want to build something for my children's future. The UAE is developing rapidly and I want to be a part of it.

It's hard work to set up a business. In principle, it seems straightforward. But you always overspend the budget in terms of time and capital.

I'm a one-stop shop! We provide all the services from registration to engine fittings. Registration can turn out to be a frustrating paper chase from one regulatory agency to another. We take care of every detail.

Me

Me and my dad

I was born in North London, and
lived there until I was 19. I used go
with my father, Christopher West,
on trips to various airports to watch take-offs and landings. We spent
hours making models of airplanes.

Though he didn't fly, he had an admiration for the craft and the industry. (He was an engineer.) I was 12 when he passed away. This had a huge impact on our family.

Me and my mom

My mother, Evelyn, is a homemaker. After my father passed away she had to work three jobs to make ends meet. It couldn't have been easy. My admiration for her and gratitude knows no limits.

She worked very hard. She would prepare breakfast every morning, get us (my older brother and my younger sister) ready for school and return from work and cook. She made every effort to provide a stable home life.

Me and my childhood

As children we learnt to be independent. We took up part-time jobs, worked in petrol stations, delivered papers, etc. We also learnt to solve our own problems. The experiences I had as a teenager, coupled with my love and admiration for my father, made me more determined to be a pilot. I knew it would make him proud.

Me and sport

As a secondary school student, I was on the rugby and track teams. I ran the 100- and 200-metre races and was the high jump district champion.

We were in private schools, and for us, the biggest satisfaction was beating the posh schools. I remember when we lost heavily to St. Edmonds in rugby one year.

We worked hard for the next three years to beat them, and we did. The victory was so sweet! It is a fantastic memory.

I learnt to link work with rewards early in life. It is a principle that has served me well. Good education, being independent and beating rivals was hard work. None of these came easy.

Me and my teacher, Mr Dane

Mr Dane, my English teacher at secondary school, played a key role in grooming me for success. Not only by imparting knowledge, but by taking on an advisory role.

He constantly communicated his faith in me and encouraged me to work towards achieving important academic qualifications, which enabled me to become a pilot.

Me and my dream

At 17, I tried to join the air force, but was told to come back when I was older. I didn't know anyone there nor did I know how to become a pilot. (My mother even gave me a flying lesson on my 18th birthday.)

I continued with college (A levels) for the next two years and then started working. I took up menial jobs for a while, not knowing how to set myself on the path towards a satisfying career.

Then I landed a position as a representative for holiday companies in France and Spain. My experience there gave me the confidence to apply to the air force.

Many aptitude tests later, I was given the chance. I still feel grateful for the opportunity.

Me and going commercial

When I didn't make fast jet training,
I decided to leave the air force to fly civilian planes. But after I left, the economy suffered from recession,
and there were many pilots on the market. I was least qualified,
and again, had to do odd jobs for
a few years.
During that time, I did general aviation. I flew everything from a Lear Jet to a Cessna 150.

I got a break in 1994 as a full-time pilot with Air UK/KLM where I met my wife, Saskia, who was working as a senior flight attendant.

By 1997, I began flying the Jumbo 747 for Virgin Atlantic. For a long time it was the biggest plane – I loved it.

Me and journalism

I also did aviation journalism for Fly Past and Today's Pilot magazines when I was with Virgin Atlantic. (The magazines were published by UK-based Key Publishing.)

I did air-to-air photography which involved flying an aircraft for photographers to take pictures of airplanes like the Spitfire, Mustang, Harrier, etc. To do this, you must fly in formation close to other aircraft. It was a great experience.

Me and the UAE

Although working in the UAE was not part of my personal career plan,
I didn't have any reservations about coming here. I wanted to fly.

My friend's father, Pat King, who was the CEO of Royal Jet in Abu Dhabi, said that the UAE has a good future in aviation, especially in Dubai.

I was here on October 21, 2001. I did three months of training, and went to the Netherlands to marry Saskia.

Everything happened so fast. Within six months I had a new job in a new country, I was married, and had a new home.

Me and the future

In terms of life goals, I'm still in transit. There have been many changes both personal and professional. We have two boys, Sam, 5, and Luc, 3. Saskia works as a teacher for the K12 International Academy in Knowledge Village. Having a family gives a different perspective to one's professional outlook. I have to think about what's best for the family now, and not just for me. We go boating as a family whenever we can.

Myself

Why do you think the sea is where people should go to unwind?

The sea is unspoiled, non-commercial, and not crowded.

Studies have shown that being with family and friends, relaxing, and being close to nature are the primary reasons people spend time at sea.

Boating is something that people can do often, even on workdays. While I believe in working hard to reach your goals, it's also important to chill out and refuel.

How has Emirates airline changed over the years?

Emirates has gotten much bigger. When I joined, there were 500 pilots, now there are 2,000.

This success has to do with favourable labour laws, good vision supported by investment and Dubai's strategic location.

For more information on Nautech boats, e-mail jerry@nautechme.com