Russell (Russ to his mates) is one of the owners, and First Mate of BoatSmart HQ Townsville, and Whitsundays (Airlie Beach)
Russell started as an apprentice boat builder with Riviera in 2001 and continued working with Riviera until 2009 when he decided to join the Australian Army. He first joined the Army as a Radar Operator and progressed into flying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAV’S). In 2012 he served 8 months in Afghanistan as an Intelligence Imagery Analyst with the UAVs.
In 2015 he trade transferred and completed his qualification as a Helicopter Technician which led him to being posted to Townsville in 2016 and working on MRH-90s. Russell completed further studies in Marine Surveying and also acquired his Master <24 and MED 2 skipper and engineer qualifications with more qualifications still in progress. In 2022 he decided to discharge from the Army pursue a different career path and coming back in to the Marine Industry as he has a huge passion for being on the water and working and maintaining boats.
His partner Rachel is a current serving member for the RAAF as a Personnel Capability Specialist in Townsville and we share 4 children, 13, 9 and 3 1/2 and 5months.
When he is not busy working Russ enjoys spending time with family and friends either fishing, working on his golf game (still cant beats his Mrs) and camping.
Hailing from Port Arthur, Tasmania, where he grew up with his pal and now business partner Marc, Adrian has also always had a soft spot for the water.
He knew from an early age where his skills lay and put this to practice locally working on the Marina ferry as a deckhand at the age of 15. During this time he gained his Coxwains and started to build his repertoire which eventually lead to obtaining his Master 4 skippers ticket.
In his early 20’s he moved to Brisbane, playing semi-professional AFL football which eventually drew him to the Redland Football Club. Floating around a few different jobs to start with, he realised where his loyalties lie and returned to working on the water, driving the Brisbane River City Cats for a few years and then Bay Island ferries in Southern Moreton.
After settling into family life with his wife Vicki and two daughters Isla and Addison, Adrian has decided he’s due for another challenge, and wishes to put his high standards and relentless work ethic to good use in the industry he loves, with Brisbane BoatSmart HQ.
Adrian has never been without his own boat since he was a teenager, with each passing vessel being taken care of more meticulously and with more pride than the last. Be confident in knowing that this standard will be upheld in caring for your boat as well.
Having grown up in Tasmania, it’s hard not to have a penchant for being on the water and dealing with boats.
An avid Lego and Meccano fan, Marc spent a lot of his childhood pulling things apart and putting them back together, learning how they worked in the process. He completed his Fitter and Turner apprenticeship at 20 years old and stuck with that for 6 years working for a marine engineering outfit in Hobart.
He worked on a vast range of vessels ranging from the well-known ice breaker the Aurora Australis for her winter lay ups, offshore support vessels, humble fishing boats and barges, and even offshore oil rigs.
From there he became interested in becoming a ships Marine Engineer after his time working on boats as a tradesman.
He then gained his Diploma of Marine Engineering certification with an Offshore Support Vessel company and spent 10 years at sea. His work as a Fitter and Turner as well as a member of vessels engineering crew has given him a fine range of experience across the board, such as lathe and milling machine operation, light and heavy diesel engine fitting/overhauls, electrical work, plumbing and general planned maintenance on said vessels.
Looking for a return home with his partner (who wasn’t a fan of the time away at sea) and two dogs he now seeks to apply his acquired skills and knowledge within the BoatSmart HQ arena here in Brisbane.
Craig started his career at the ripe age of 18 as a flotilla & bare boat skipper in Greece. From there he worked his way up the ranks to Chief Officer on vessels up to 55m for over 10 years in Europe, Caribbean and Maldives.
He relocated to Australia where he worked as a skipper on a 98ft yacht before transitioning to a land-based role as service & warranty manager for 2 years, successfully overseeing a fleet of up to 15 new build yachts.
His passion for the maritime industry, coupled with his extensive knowledge, makes him a trusted and reliable source for all aspects of yachting.
Kyle has always been passionate about boating, having grown up in the inlet known as "Deep Cove" in North Vancouver, a renowned haven for boating enthusiasts. Kyle's journey into the world of boating commenced with sailing and racing smaller sailboats like the Laser and Laser II. Over time, Kyle progressed through various summer programs, ultimately achieving the status of an instructor.
Throughout his life, Kyle maintained a fondness for small boats, regularly owning tinnies and runabouts. However, a significant turning point in Kyle's expertise occurred when he inherited his father's welding and custom metal fabrication business. This business specialization became the cornerstone of his maritime knowledge, with a focus on marine parts manufacturing, stainless steel, and aluminium welding. Within this domain, he crafted a wide array of products, ranging from custom exhaust manifolds to biminis and swim platforms.
As his passion for boating continued to grow, Kyle ventured into the world of larger vessels. His first significant boat purchase was a 1974 Reinell cabin cruiser, which he undertook to completely refit. His dedication led to the meticulous restoration and comprehensive repair of the boat. In addition to this project, Kyle also owned another vessel, a 1984 Sea Ray 300 cabin cruiser, which required a complete teardown and a ground-up rebuild.
Beyond his personal projects, Kyle generously extended his expertise to aid friends and family in troubleshooting and resolving marine-related issues. Additionally, he ventured into entrepreneurship by owning a hire company for marine engineers specializing in conducting aquatic surveys, catering to a niche clientele.
Kyle's hobbies encompass a wide spectrum of water and outdoor activities, including boat building and repair, sailing, surfing, kite surfing (with nine years of experience as an IKO instructor), snowboarding, foiling, and various DIY projects. Residing in the southern Gold Coast, he seizes every opportunity to be immersed in aquatic adventures and relishes the thrill of being on the water.
Scott is a licensed electrician commencing his electrical trade at the Garden Island Naval Base in Sydney back in 1995. His passion with boating started over 30 years ago when he first started racing Manly Juniors at age 8. Scott has experience on all boats from Trailer Boats and Dinghies through to Large Sailing Catamarans, Yachts and Powerboats.
He has been regularly called upon to assist with Boat relocations and deliveries up and down the east coast of Australia. With a passion for boating & electronics, Scott founded Shellharbour Marine Electronics, an expansion to his already successful residential, commercial electrical and security company.
In his down time, Scott can be found on the water, sailing or on his jet skis, or enjoying music festivals. Scott is very well respected and highly recommended with his can-do attitude, work ethic and commitment to perfection forming the basis of his success in business to date.
Recently joining BoatSmartHQ servicing Melbourne, Andrew has owned and operated a successful brokerage business specialising in high end ski and wake boats for the past 6 years. Through this time Andrew has understood the needs and gaps for boat owners in the Melbourne area and looks forward to assisting owners with their vessels.
With over 15 years sales and marketing experience across automotive and property development, Andrew’s experience spans both the marine industry along with strategic business planning.
Darren is the owner of BoatSmart HQ from Mooloolaba to Gladstone, and for him, boats have been a lifelong passion. He first started boating as a child with his father. As soon as he was able, he purchased his own boat, too, so he's been practicing preventive maintenance for a long time. Darren is a qualified Diesel Fitter and also a qualified Locksmith, having run his own successful Locksmithing business until 2017. He is a skilled fabricator with incredible diagnostic skills and experience.
When not on the water, Darren enjoys motorbikes, golf and motorsport. He has two big standard poodles one black and a one white. He has a terrific family. He has two boys, 23 and 26. One has a small business, the other a marine engineer, and his partner Kim, is a Social Worker. You will often find Darren and Kim working as a team to ensure they offer the best service possible.
