Benjamin Robert Ward
Summary
Maritime professional with depth of experience in vessel operations and crew management, ensuring efficient and safe navigation. Proven ability to adapt to dynamic maritime conditions, fostering team collaboration and driving results. Known for strong decision-making and navigational expertise.
Diligent General Manager with solid background in managing daily operations and driving team performance. Successfully led various projects, ensuring seamless execution and improved operational efficiency. Demonstrated strategic planning and effective communication skills.
Overview
37
37
years of professional experience
1
1
Certification
Work History
VESSEL MASTER
AUSTRALIA BAY SEAFOODS
05.2021 - Current
- Master of 30 Metre fish trawler "Territory Leader" in the Arafura Sea Demersal Fin Fish Trawl Fishery operating out of Darwin, NT
- Master 23 Metre Prawn Trawler "Warlock" in Nickol Bay Managed Prawn Fishery
- Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the vessel.
- The duration of these trips is approximately 14 days.
- Other responsibilities included Crew Management, Vessel Management, liaising and organizing contracted repairs, Quality Control, Maintenance and upkeep of vessel and fishing equipment and Fishery Compliance
- Relief Operations Manager Darwin Base
QHSE MANAGER
GUARDIAN OFFSHORE
11.2020 - 02.2021
- Responsible for the day to day running of the Company SMS System to maintain ISO 9001-14001 accreditation as Audited by Bureau Veritas.
- The Position entails
- Compiling Monthly and Annual Performance KPI's
- Generating Monthly and Annual Performance Reports
- Document Control of the SMS System
- Management of Incident Reports and Investigations
- Scheduling of all company vessel Drills and Audits
- Managing Return to Work Cases
- Managing Statutory Compliance for all vessels
- Chairing Annual Management Review Meetings
- Updating vessel Codes and Regs
DIRECTOR CO FOUNDER
SAMSON SEAFOODS
01.2016 - 07.2020
- Samson Seafoods owned and operated two Prawn Trawlers in the Northern Prawn Fishery. The vessels operated were the 29 Metre vessel “South Passage” and 22.5 Metre “Six Pack II”. Our home Port and Operational base was Francis Bay Marina, Darwin NT. We also operated in the Pilbara Fish Trawl Interim Managed Fishery and Nickol Bay Prawn Fishery.
- The Position Entailed
- Relief Skipper of vessel “South Passage”.
- General day to day management of operations
- Employing operational personnel and appointing contractors
- Marketing of product to buyers
- Management of Logistics and supplies to the vessels
- Hands on seasonal maintenance of the vessels
- Trouble shooting mechanical and electronic issues with the vessels
- Liaising with Harbour Management in Darwin regarding vessel placement and movements.
Director
Waterfront ACM
01.2012 - 01.2020
- Company Overview: Waterfront is a commercial marine shop that sells a broad selection of supplies through a small shopfront and online.
CO FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
SAMSON MARITIME
03.2005 - 12.2011
- Samson Maritime owned and operated Tugs, Multicats, Offshore Support, Barges, Hydrographic Survey and Crew Change Vessels.
- Operations Samson Maritime conducted included Dredge Support, Inshore Construction Support, Inshore and Offshore Towage. We started Samson Maritime with 1 vessel in 2005 and owned/operated in excess of 15 vessel when we sold the first half of the business in 2010 followed by the following 50% in 2011 to Miclyn Express Offshore from Singapore. We had over 20 office staff as well as circa 150 crew on the vessels and I was actively Managing this business from day to day.
- The Position Entailed
- Overall management of all Employees
- Overall management of contractual negotiations
- Assessment and inspection of all vessels
- Auditing HSE and QA Policies and Procedures
- Delivery of vessels when required
- Strategic Planning for business expansion
- Developing Cashflow Forecasts with Company CFO
- Overall direction to all key management personnel when required
- Operational Rosters
TUG MASTER/MANAGING PARTNER
Westug
01.2001 - 03.2007
- Westug Management held the contract for operating and maintaining the tugs and workboat for Port Operations at Port Walcott in Western Australia's Pilbara Region for Rio Tinto.
- The Tugs were used to berth and sail bulk iron ore carriers. These tugs were controlled from both forward and aft stand control stations operating with 240 tonne towropes on winches location fwd and aft.
- The Position Entailed
- Master of 35 Metre, 60 tonne bollard pull, Azimuth Stern Drive Z Peller Tugs with universal lever and single dial control systems in an open water environment.
- Ensure planned maintenance for the tugs was completed as required by our customer. 100% vessel availability was achieved.
- Westug Management Quality Management Representative
MASTER "OCEAN RAIDER"
WESTMORE SEAFOODS
01.1997 - 12.2000
- Master of 23 Metre fish trawler in the Pilbara Fish Trawl Fishery operating out of Point Samson in Western Australia
- Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the vessel. The position also included acting as Engineer on the vessel.
- The duration of these trips was approximately 7 days due to quality control of the product
- Other responsibilities included crew management, vessel management in cyclone prone areas, liaising and organizing contracted repairs, quality control, maintenance and upkeep of vessel and fishing equipment.
MASTER "CASABLANCA"
KRAUS FISHING COMPANY
01.1994 - 01.1997
- Master of 22 Metre Fish/Prawn Trawler in the Nickol Bay Prawn and Pilbara Fish Trawl Fisheries operating out of Point Samson in Western Australia
- Responsible for the operation and maintenance of the vessel. The position also included acting as Engineer on the vessel.
- The duration of these trips was up to one month covering an operational area between Dampier and Napier Broome Bay in the Kimberley region of Western Australia.
- The vessels were navigated to Fremantle for refit purposes
- Other responsibilities included crew management, vessel management in cyclone prone areas, liaising and organizing contracted repairs, quality control, maintenance and upkeep of vessel and fishing equipment.
DECKHAND
KRAUS FISHING COMPANY
01.1992 - 01.1994
- Deckhand on various Fish/Prawn Trawlers in the Nickol Bay Prawn and Pilbara Fish Trawl Fisheries operating out of Point Samson in Western Australia
- General Deckhand and Watchkeeping Duties
- Maintenance Duties
- Product Processing and Quality Control
DECKHAND
WESTMORE SEAFOODS
01.1991 - 01.1992
- Deckhand on 19.5 metre Prawn Trawler “Westmore” in the Nickol Bay Prawn and Pilbara Fish Trawl Fisheries operating out of Point Samson in Western Australia
- General Deckhand and Watchkeeping Duties
- Maintenance Duties
- Product Processing and Quality Control
DECKHAND
CAROLINE M
01.1990 - 01.1991
- Deckhand on 19 metre Prawn Trawler “Caroline M” in the Nickol Bay Prawn Fishery operating out of Point Samson in Western Australia
- General Deckhand and Watchkeeping Duties
- Maintenance Duties
- Product Processing and Quality Control
DECKHAND
KRAUS FISHING COMPANY
01.1989 - 01.1990
- Deckhand on 18 metre Prawn Trawler “Falcon II” in the Nickol Bay Prawn Fishery operating out of Point Samson in Western Australia
- General Deckhand and Watchkeeping Duties
- Maintenance Duties
- Product Processing and Quality Control
Education
Seamanship Certificate -
Fremantle College of TAFE
11.1989
Skills
7 Years experience ASD Tug Master
Experienced Fishing Vessel Master
Business Manager
Operations Manager
QA Manager
Certification
- Certificate of Competency MASTER 45m NC #NC17153
- Certificate of Competency MARINE ENGINE DRIVER GRADE 2 # NC20265
- Restricted operators certificate of proficiency in radiotelephony
- MSIC Job Ready Certificate valid till 31st May 2026
- Certificate of Competency FORKLIFT - #AS9815607
- HLTAID11- Provide First Aid
- HLTAID09 - Provide cardiopulmonary resuscitation
- Certificate in Cyclone Familiarization - #00341
- Certificate of Achievement “Understanding AS/NZS ISO 9001:2000 standard for Quality Management”
- PADI Open Water Dive Certificate
- AMSA Medical Certificate NC
- Proficient at Word, Excel, Outlook and Vessel Satellite Communications
Hobbies and Interests
Boating, Fishing, Camping, Property, Shares
Timeline
VESSEL MASTER
AUSTRALIA BAY SEAFOODS
05.2021 - Current
QHSE MANAGER
GUARDIAN OFFSHORE
11.2020 - 02.2021
DIRECTOR CO FOUNDER
SAMSON SEAFOODS
01.2016 - 07.2020
Director
Waterfront ACM
01.2012 - 01.2020
CO FOUNDER AND DIRECTOR
SAMSON MARITIME
03.2005 - 12.2011
TUG MASTER/MANAGING PARTNER
Westug
01.2001 - 03.2007
MASTER "OCEAN RAIDER"
WESTMORE SEAFOODS
01.1997 - 12.2000
MASTER "CASABLANCA"
KRAUS FISHING COMPANY
01.1994 - 01.1997
DECKHAND
KRAUS FISHING COMPANY
01.1992 - 01.1994
DECKHAND
WESTMORE SEAFOODS
01.1991 - 01.1992
DECKHAND
CAROLINE M
01.1990 - 01.1991
DECKHAND
KRAUS FISHING COMPANY
01.1989 - 01.1990
Seamanship Certificate -
Fremantle College of TAFE
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