Andrew Fairbrass grew up on the south coast of England in a family of keen sailors. His holidays were spent floating around the Isle of Wight, through The Solent, and along the Dorset coastline. At the age of 8 he already had his own RIB and 8hp mariner outboard, (which incidentally still works and is sitting in the Berthon Spain workshop!). By age 15 he had achieved his RYA Day Skipper, and had a clear love for the ocean. Growing up around sailing yachts created a passion for not just sailing and exploring, but for fixing and tinkering with boats as well.
After completing A-level studies, Andrew went on to study Business Management at University in Cardiff, and later qualified as a Financial Adviser. After following this career path for a number of years, he came to realise that his dream of retiring and sailing around the world on his own yacht didn’t have to wait – he could sail around the world whilst working on a yacht!
A comprehensive change of career path led him to Portugal where he completed his Padi Dive Master qualifications with a school in Lagos. Following that came the training courses and land based studies leading up to his RYA Yachtmaster Ocean, which is where he met Rowan, also training for her Yachtmaster Offshore certificate. With training and certificates under their belt they took a job as flotilla crew with Odysseus Yachting who were based in Gouvia Marina, Corfu, and the small town of Palairos in Greece.
Andrew will tell you that the summer of 2010 is where he really learnt about boats! Running a flotilla of 30 yachts ranging from 10-15m, all different makes and models, fixing problems daily, quick turnarounds between charters, getting to know each boat inside out. It was hard work but well worth it! The summer spent as flotilla crew confirmed for both Andrew and Rowan that they wanted to continue their life afloat. On returning to England, Andrew quickly found employment in Hamble, helping out a family friend with a refit of a Swan 68. One thing led to another, and he found himself being offered the captain’s position for the coming summer.
After taking his first role as captain, he decided to expand his studies and work towards his Officer Of the Watch. He completed training courses at various schools including Warsash Maritime Academy in Southampton and UKSA on the Isle of Wight. Working together on the Swan, Andrew & Rowan cruised the Greek Ionian islands, the Turkish coast, and of course the Balearics.
After enjoying life as a Palma based captain, after the birth of their first child it was an easy decision for Andrew and Rowan to move to Mallorca and base themselves in Palma. After a brief stint as a delivery captain, bringing a 24m CNB from Fort Lauderdale to Palma, another key decision was made. (Anyone who has spent time on long ocean passages will appreciate how the hours spent with your own thoughts can help focus the mind.)
And that is how Sentinel Yachting was started. Andrew walked the docks of Palma, talking to yacht owners, getting to know the yachts and offering his services for guardiennage and engineering. His phone kept ringing with more and more clients, and he was joined by more engineers working for him. He started out looking after a couple of Oyster yachts, and then Princess motor boats, and began a continuing close working relationship with Baltic Yachts in Palma. Following the rapid growth and success of Sentinel Yachting, Andrew crossed paths with Dominic May and Sue Grant at the Palma Boat Show. This led to Andrew joining forces with Berthon UK to form Berthon Spain in 2018.
