Meet the Team
We know that a lot of our visitors think that we have a nice easy job in the summer, playing on boats and all that, then take the whole winter off - sadly this is not the case! To keep the fleet in tip top condition we have a dedicated team who look after all aspects of maintaining the hire fleet, from the rudder, shaft and engine right through to making sure the varnishing, curtains and cushions are all in good order. We charter the boats from April to October and when the boats are not out on hire there is plenty of work to be done keeping the team busy for the rest of the year.We fit out the new vessels on the fleet over the winter period too. The first hull will usually arrive in September / October time and take approximately 3 - 4 months to complete, depending on the size of the vessel.
In the booking office we take the majority of our reservations between December and March, so there is no down time there either.
Audrey Hogan
Director
audrey@caleycruisers.com
Audrey has been involved in the family business from a very early age, working full time since leaving school in 1991 and has been managing the hire fleet since around 2000. She is a keen cook and when not working enjoys time in the kitchen making curries, baking and various other dishes.
Bethany Lyall
Reservations Team
Bethany has worked with Caley Cruisers since 2002. She was involved in the cleaning department until 2007 when she briefly departed to introduce her twin girls Amellia and Emmy to the world. On her return, after a bit of arm twisting, she took up a job in the office and has flourished ever since. If you ever receive a reminder about your balance of hire being outstanding, it probably came from Bethany!!
When Bethany is not working, apart from being a busy mum or looking after her 3 cats, she can usually be spotted dancing, partying in general and is a big fan of music festivals!
When Bethany is not working, apart from being a busy mum or looking after her 3 cats, she can usually be spotted dancing, partying in general and is a big fan of music festivals!
Scott Anderson
Hire Fleet Maintenance Team & Instructor
scott@caleycruisers.com
Another boomerang member of our team! Scott worked with the hire fleet back in the 90's. He was then Workshop Manager at our sister company Caley Marina and returned in April 2012 to re-join our happy team. When not at work Scott enjoys climbing & walking. He's a bit of a foodie too and a keen cook!
Derek Youngson
Hire Fleet Maintenance Team & Instructor
derek@caleycruisers.com
Derek joined Caley Cruisers in July 2002, initially for a few days "scrubbing" the hulls but has remained here ever since. As in any good business he has worked his way up the ranks and was promoted to Hire Fleet Maintenance Manager in 2008. Derek comes from a family business in Thurso and many of our northern customers may know his well known family that used to have the Weigh Inn as well as a few other hospitality establishments in that neck of the woods. Derek is very versatile: as well as managing the maintenance of the fleet, he is also a 'part time model' in our brochure. Derek's claim to fame: He still holds the record for the first non-stop return crossing of the notorious Pentland Firth on water-skis with a friend - set over 20 years ago! Derek is a dedicated member of the team, however, on the rare exception that he's not, he is a keen cyclist, skier as well as a bit of a wine boffin.
Bob MacLeod
Instructor
Bob has been helping out with handover instruction since 2008. During his professional career he spent 19 years at sea as master of very large tankers and as a marine marine superintendent. He's a valued member of our team and he loves helping out on our changeover days.
Bill MacKenzie
Hire Fleet Maintenance Team & Instructor
A former police sergeant, Bill makes sure everyone is towing the thin blue line at Caley these days! Bill joined the company in the summer of 2009, initially just working Saturdays he has gradually risen through the ranks and is now a valued member of our maintenance team and an instructor in the summer. He's learned a lot about varnishing recently that he never knew he needed to know!
Bill likes keeping himself fit and will run the occasional 10 K among other things, e.g. gardening, which is handy for us as he looks after the flower beds around the office!
Bill likes keeping himself fit and will run the occasional 10 K among other things, e.g. gardening, which is handy for us as he looks after the flower beds around the office!
Karin Michels
Office and Reservations manager
info@caleycruisers.com
Karin re-joined the firm in December 2010 and many of our regular customers may remember her from her first stint with us between 2000 and 2005. Karin moved over from her native Germany and didn't speak a great deal of English at first; however, given the large number of German speaking clients to the business at that time, combined with her great computer skills, she was a real asset to the company.
Gordie Fraser
Hire Fleet Technician & Instructor
Gordie joined Caley when he was just a little lad of 16 - that was over 30 years ago now! He has been involved in every part of the boats ever since. Gordie is one of the team on the call out rota, so if you've ever needed an engineer when you've been on holiday with us, he may well have been the one.
All the engineering and technical fitting-out on the new boats is completed by Gordie, and of course, it works very well - all thanks to Gord.
He is usually tinkering away with cars when he's not on duty and he's a keen football fan.
All the engineering and technical fitting-out on the new boats is completed by Gordie, and of course, it works very well - all thanks to Gord.
He is usually tinkering away with cars when he's not on duty and he's a keen football fan.
Andy Pope
Hire Fleet Technician & Instructor
Andy joined the company in 2007 after moving up from Dartmouth, where he was the main Engineer on one of the boats working on the river Dart. Andy is also one of our duty engineers on the call out rota and is responsible for providing cover during the operating season and looking after all aspects of the maintenance during the winter.
Andy is a country guy at heart and loves spending his spare time with his working spaniel and clay pidgeon shooting.
Andy is a country guy at heart and loves spending his spare time with his working spaniel and clay pidgeon shooting.
Isobel MacMillan
Head of Housekeeping
Isobel has been with the company since 1985 and does a sterling job making sure everything is ship shape and Bristol fashion! She has a very challenging position and manages a team of 8 cleaning staff in the operating season.
When not working Isobel is a doting Grandmother of her lovely 2 grandchildren and when she has the time, which is not often, loves crafts.
When not working Isobel is a doting Grandmother of her lovely 2 grandchildren and when she has the time, which is not often, loves crafts.
Kevin and Richard
Boat Builders
Kevin and Richard have worked with the company for about 14 years now and are responsible for assisting with the fit out of all the new vessels on the fleet. They are multi talented and when not fitting out our boats are usually building houses. All of the building work on our site was completed by Kevin and Richard.
They are very busy all of the time and require several months notice to secure them. When they're not fitting out boats and building houses they are mad, keen sports enthusiasts and you'll find them kite surfing, cycling or any other 'extreme' sport that takes their fancy.
They are very busy all of the time and require several months notice to secure them. When they're not fitting out boats and building houses they are mad, keen sports enthusiasts and you'll find them kite surfing, cycling or any other 'extreme' sport that takes their fancy.
We expected a wonderful time and were not disappointed. We are already planning to return next year.
