Antigua interview: Captain Prittwitz und Gaffron
This week heralds the start of the Caribbean season with the Antigua Charter Show already in full swing. In the first of a number of captain interviews at the show, we speak to Captain Heiko von Prittwitz und Gaffron of M/Y Sai Ram about his new position.…
This week heralds the start of the Caribbean season with the Antigua Charter Show already in full swing. The Crew Report sits down with Captain Heiko von Prittwitz und Gaffron on board 52m motoryacht Sai Ram to talk about his recent takeover of the vessel.
The Crew Report: You have had a lot to do in the past two months, how has it been?
Captain Heiko von Prittwitz und Gaffron: Yes, the takeover has been very busy because I came on board during the Monaco Yacht Show and we had to organise this last-minute trip to the US as well as organise some time in the shipyard to get the boat ready for the season. So it has been very busy and challenging but I knew that it would be, and I like a challenge.
For example, we had to do all the decks on the Atlantic crossing - we looked like a steamship engulfed in steam from sanding the decks. But we are here now and the boat looks good, so that is what matters.
What is the crew ethos on board Sai Ram?
The crew are very work orientated but also fun orientated after hours. I made it very clear what kind of captain I am because that's why I got put on this job, but I am very proud of what we have achieved in such a short period of time. I am very fond of my crew and I hope they are fond of their captain.
How do you view the role of a captain?
It always takes me by surprise the amount of good and hard work you see in this industry but also the diligent work you experience. It is a shame to see good owners who love yachting being driven away so we need to look after them to make sure we don't lose them. And captains can do that by making sure a vessel is run properly.
The Crew Report: You have had a lot to do in the past two months, how has it been?
Captain Heiko von Prittwitz und Gaffron: Yes, the takeover has been very busy because I came on board during the Monaco Yacht Show and we had to organise this last-minute trip to the US as well as organise some time in the shipyard to get the boat ready for the season. So it has been very busy and challenging but I knew that it would be, and I like a challenge.
For example, we had to do all the decks on the Atlantic crossing - we looked like a steamship engulfed in steam from sanding the decks. But we are here now and the boat looks good, so that is what matters.
What is the crew ethos on board Sai Ram?
The crew are very work orientated but also fun orientated after hours. I made it very clear what kind of captain I am because that's why I got put on this job, but I am very proud of what we have achieved in such a short period of time. I am very fond of my crew and I hope they are fond of their captain.
How do you view the role of a captain?
It always takes me by surprise the amount of good and hard work you see in this industry but also the diligent work you experience. It is a shame to see good owners who love yachting being driven away so we need to look after them to make sure we don't lose them. And captains can do that by making sure a vessel is run properly.
It is a shame to see good owners who love yachting being driven away so we need to look after them to make sure we don't lose them.
Captain Heiko von Prittwitz und Gaffron on board M/Y Sai Ram during the Antigua Charter Show
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