I recently completed a week of work experience with the commissioning team at Oyster Yachts. I had seen posts about Oyster Yachts online and on learnt about their world rally on their website, so reached out to Oyster CEO Richard Hadida, who has owned the company since 2018, to enquire about potential sponsorship for the Clipper race. Richard was super quick to respond: he said ‘the world needs more Ella Hebrons” and suggested a meeting. I explained that my mum and dad really didn’t agree and think one Ella Hebron is plenty; but a meeting would be great. I made the trip to Southampton where I met Deputy CEO, Becky Bridgen, who was kind enough to show me around the boathouse and explain they would be happy to look at opportunities for me to get involved with the company. I kept in regular contact, updating Oyster on what I was up to (sorry for the pestering Becky) and asking about the possibility of a job after finishing college. Becky agreed to a weeks work experience.
I was originally due to spend my work experience in Southampton on the new Oyster 495, but plans changed. So after a day of inductions and health and safety briefing in Southampton I travelled to Ipswich to join the commissioning team who were working on two Oyster 595s. The team were really welcoming and I was lucky to join on a week when they were finely tuning a boat ready to hand over to its owner; this meant lots of finishing touches, including a day out on the river Orwell conducting speed, sound and vibration checks on the engine. On Friday, we were joined by the owner and a team from Dolphin sails. The new owner’s excitement was contagious and the team seemed to be genuinely delighted to be showing him the ropes, helping him to better understand how to optimise its performance, as he took the helm permanently. This was a great day and it was fabulous to see how the Oyster 595 performs on the water. My week at Oyster helped me understand how much time, effort, passion and different people are involved in crafting the boats. It also gave me some insight into what a job with Oyster may entail. I am delighted that I have been able to secure a position as an assistant commissioner starting in June this year. In August when I turn 18, I will be able to join the team taking the new 495 (#1, Carpe Díem) to boat shows in the Mediterranean (in Barcelona, Cannes, Genoa and Palma). I am overwhelmed by this opportunity, I already feel like I belong to the Oyster family, and cannot wait to get on Carpe Díem and show her off to the world.
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