Wounded Royal Marines Veterans Rule The Waves Thanks To Charity

 

Following medical discharge from the Royal Marines, Steve, Dan and Rich, gained internationally recognised qualifications (up to RYA Yachtmaster Cruising Instructor) to increase their employability and potential for a choice of careers in the maritime industry.

Rich Birchall, 32, served in the Royal Marines for 14 years until he was medically discharged with a back injury in 2013. He thought his recovery would take a couple of months, yet after two years of physiotherapy he’s now awaiting surgery. On top of his life-changing injury, Rich had to consider his future career and what that meant for him and his family.

“I only jumped from a height of around six foot, but I landed with straight legs and had around 40 pound of kit on my back. It didn’t end well. After the accident, I was at my lowest and having some pretty sinister thoughts about how to get out of this situation. I initially tried an IT job, but sat in a windowless office typing on a computer after a lifetime outdoors simply didn’t suit me.”

Rich was soon introduced to Turn to Starboard and is now working towards his Yachtmaster Offshore qualification as well as being employed in a full time position as the Bosun of tall ship ‘Spirit’. His military experience in mechanical engineering proved invaluable on his journey to Offshore Yachtmaster.

Another former Royal Marine who understands the pressures of returning to civilian life after a neck injury is Steve Brady. With an engineering background, Steve initially found a job that suited his skill set – industrial refrigeration – but after six months he found the work aggravated his condition. After applying for various jobs, such as an electronics engineer in the British Virgin Isles, Steve found that unless he held a Yachtmaster qualification, all doors were closed.

“After searching the Internet, I came across the Turn to Starboard website and saw that they helped people in my position gain RYA qualifications, so I got in touch.”

After an intensive training schedule, he went on to obtain his Yachtmaster qualification and was offered paid employment as a skipper.

“Being skipper means I prepare and sail the boat with a crew on the sailing trips we provide, plus many other day-to-day tasks. When you leave the Marines, you often leave your friends, so the charity also provides a great place to spend time with like-minded people.”

Following medical discharge from the Royal Marines, Steve, Dan and Rich, gained internationally recognised qualifications (up to RYA Yachtmaster Cruising Instructor) to increase their employability and potential for a choice of careers in the maritime industry.

Rich Birchall, 32, served in the Royal Marines for 14 years until he was medically discharged with a back injury in 2013. He thought his recovery would take a couple of months, yet after two years of physiotherapy he’s now awaiting surgery. On top of his life-changing injury, Rich had to consider his future career and what that meant for him and his family.

“I only jumped from a height of around six foot, but I landed with straight legs and had around 40 pound of kit on my back. It didn’t end well. After the accident, I was at my lowest and having some pretty sinister thoughts about how to get out of this situation. I initially tried an IT job, but sat in a windowless office typing on a computer after a lifetime outdoors simply didn’t suit me.”

Rich was soon introduced to Turn to Starboard and is now working towards his Yachtmaster Offshore qualification as well as being employed in a full time position as the Bosun of tall ship ‘Spirit’. His military experience in mechanical engineering proved invaluable on his journey to Offshore Yachtmaster.

Another former Royal Marine who understands the pressures of returning to civilian life after a neck injury is Steve Brady. With an engineering background, Steve initially found a job that suited his skill set – industrial refrigeration – but after six months he found the work aggravated his condition. After applying for various jobs, such as an electronics engineer in the British Virgin Isles, Steve found that unless he held a Yachtmaster qualification, all doors were closed.

“After searching the Internet, I came across the Turn to Starboard website and saw that they helped people in my position gain RYA qualifications, so I got in touch.”

After an intensive training schedule, he went on to obtain his Yachtmaster qualification and was offered paid employment as a skipper.

“Being skipper means I prepare and sail the boat with a crew on the sailing trips we provide, plus many other day-to-day tasks. When you leave the Marines, you often leave your friends, so the charity also provides a great place to spend time with like-minded people.”

 

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