The John Percival Leadership Award

In his memory, the John Percival Leadership Award has been created, to reward crew members, at all levels, who personify his ideal.

This year’s award was presented during the 2014 Monaco Yacht Show, to Christoph Schaefer, who was nominated by Fraser Gow.

Fraser Gow commented, “I have known Christoph for eight years now and have had the opportunity to work under him on two separate vessels. To the crew he is the captain, a teacher and a second father. The bridge is a classroom, knowledge is not a close guarded secret and crew are most certainly not dismissed and told to go polish more stainless steel when they ask questions.

“He has personally mentored me throughout my career and has always been there for guidance whenever needed. Christoph pushes crew to excel and step up to greater responsibility and new learning experiences. Everyone on board is encouraged to attend courses whenever possible be it pushing our deckhands up through their yachtmaster courses, MTU training for the new second engineer or Saki training for the stews. This plays a huge part in our extremely small crew turnover. Ultimately he is a captain who cares and I am proud to work for him.”

Captain John Percival was an ambassador for on-board training and encouraging investment in a yacht’s crew.

The yacht training centre he founded in 1996 aims to promote high standards in all levels of crew, in all departments, inspiring students to return to their vessel emboldened and ready to nurture junior crew.

For more information please visit JPMA or contact Anna Percival-Harris