The Ship “Grape Escape”
The Ship - Grape Escape
’Grape Escape’ is a Selene Long Range Ocean Trawler - built to combine old world craftsmanship with new world technology. She was deigned by Howard Chen, manufactured by Jet Tern Marine, Dong Guan, China and imported into New Zealand by Selene NZ. She took a year to construct and during the build Ken and Erin had four trips to China with Gary Erceg from Selene NZ. She was shipped to New Zealand in December 2008 with the final commissioning being completed in Auckland by Euroyacht Services. She then set sail for her new home in the Marlborough Sounds, at Easter 2009.
’Selene’ was named after ‘The Goddess of the Moon’ and created in the ‘Spirit of Excellence’ She has the capability to cross vast oceans with a range of up to 3000 miles and a cruising speed of 10 knots. Selene affords the ability to explore wherever the urge takes you.
The Crew
The Owners - Ken and Erin Giles
"We have lived in Marlborough for many years and have been associated with both the Wine Industry and the Marlborough Sounds for as long as we care to remember. We absolutely love being on the water and when we sold our vineyard we knew that this was what we wanted to do"
Ken and Erin planted their first grapes in 1987 and were pioneers of the Marlborough Wine Industry planting one of the first hillside vineyards in Marlborough. After 20 years in an industry that they found both pleasurable and exciting they decided it was time to move on to something new. And so began the start of their Charter Business and the birth of their new trawler ‘Grape Escape’. They have both gained their Day Skippers and Boat Masters Certificates and have boated in the Marlborough Sounds for the past 30 years.
Skippers:
Hamish Young – Skipper
Marine Qualifications
- Master of a Pleasure Yacht Ocean, gained November 1994
- Astro Navigation Certificate, gained November 1994
- Commercial Launchmaster, gained April 1995
- Restricted Radio Operators Certificate
- Master of Pleasure Yacht Coastal, gained 1990
- First Aid Certificate
- Managers Certificate – Sale of Liquor Act
Ocean Passage Experience
- 1992, New Zealand to Tonga and return on commercial 17m motorsailer Te Anau
- New Zealand to Brisbane Australia via Lord Howe Island, coastal cruising toTownsville. Return from Gladstone to New Zealand, on Te Anau
- Auckland to Fiji, Master of yacht Marie Chantel
- New Zealand to Fiji and return, Master of Yacht Te Anau
- 1998. New Zealand to Samoa, Fiji and return Master of yacht Te Anau
- 2000. New Zealand to Fiji and return. Master of yacht Te Anau
- 2006. Australia to Auckland, Master of MV Belize, 23m power vessel
- Numerous New Zealand coastal voyages from Picton to Auckland. Charter work in the Marlborough Sounds, Nelson, Hauraki Gulf, Bay of Islands, Bay of Plenty, Fiji and East Coast Australia
Bob Agnew – Second Skipper
Bob has lived, worked and boated in the Marlborough Sounds for the past 30 years. He holds a Commercial Masters Qualification and has extensive experience with commercial chartering and fishing in the top of the South Island. He is a self employed electrician working throughout all of the Sounds, Croisilles Harbour and the French Pass.
Catering: Lyn McQuillan – Catering Hostess
Lyn has worked 34 years in the Hospitality Industry and 32 of those in the Marlborough area. She has owned and operated outlets in Renwick & Blenheim, our premium wine areas, and also in Havelock, being closely associated with the exciting Green Lip Mussel Industry.
Lyn is a well known personality to the local area and she has a wealth of catering experience. Her quality cuisine has resulted in a high level of customer satisfaction ensuring her clients return again and again.
