Shaun Brown
Gladstone,QLD
Summary
You have a strong background in the marine fabrication and vessel maintenance industry, progressing from a hands-on workshop leader to the Managing Director of Port City Fabrications. You began your career managing a smaller workshop, where you were directly involved in the construction, modification, and repair of 3C survey vessels, working with aluminium, steel, and fibreglass craft. As the business grew, you expanded operations to a full shore-base facility, taking on responsibility for haul-out operations, commercial vessel refits, and survey-class construction projects.
Your experience spans vessel structural work, project management, marine compliance, WHS systems, and stakeholder coordination. Today, you lead multi-disciplinary teams, oversee complex marine projects, and manage the operational, technical, and strategic direction of a growing marine services company.
Overview
9
9
years of professional experience
Work History
Managing Director
Port City Fabrications
09.2022 - Current
- Provide strategic leadership for a specialist marine fabrication, repair, and maintenance company operating from the Gladstone Marina shore base.
- Oversee haul-out operations for recreational and commercial vessels up to 30m, ensuring safe lift procedures, load-path planning, cradle positioning, and compliance with marine WHS standards.
- Manage the construction, refit, and modification of survey-class vessels, including structural steel/aluminium fabrication, compliance with AMSA/NSCV requirements, and quality assurance documentation.
- Supervise the maintenance, repair, and refurbishment of commercial and working vessels, including hull repairs, corrosion control, welding, coatings, and composite/fibreglass works.
- Direct the shipyard’s workflow across welding, fabrication, protective coatings, mechanical fit-outs, and marine electrical integration.
- Liaise with vessel owners, surveyors, contractors, and regulatory bodies to ensure all works meet class, survey, and legislative requirements.
- Oversee project planning, cost estimation, procurement of marine-grade materials, and allocation of labour and resources for vessel projects.
- Ensure compliance with maritime safety regulations, environmental standards, and waste management requirements relating to vessel maintenance and demolition activities.
- Lead risk assessments for high-risk marine operations, including confined spaces, working over water, vessel demolition, hot works, and slipway operations.
- Maintain responsibility for quality control, documentation, and verification of structural integrity throughout vessel repair and construction phases.
- Coordinate training and competency assessment for fabrication teams, ensuring skills align with marine industry requirements and survey standards.
- Oversee the operation and maintenance of marine yard equipment, including the straddle carrier, slipway, and lifting gear.
- Manage client relationships, tender submissions, contract requirements, and project reporting for marine-based works.
- Direct the implementation of safe work systems, incident investigations, and continuous improvement initiatives across all marine operations.
- Provide leadership and supervision to workshop teams, project managers, and subcontractors engaged in marine construction and vessel maintenance.
- Ensure the shipyard maintains a high standard of workmanship, safety culture, and operational efficiency.
General Manager
Port City Fabrications
12.2017 - 09.2022
- Managed day-to-day operations of a small marine fabrication and repair workshop, directly overseeing vessel builds, refits, and maintenance works.
- Worked hands-on in the construction of 3C survey vessels, including aluminium and fibreglass hull fabrication, structural assembly, and fit-out works.
- Performed and supervised modifications and repairs on commercial and recreational vessels, ensuring compliance with AMSA/NSCV survey requirements.
- Conducted hull inspections, structural assessments, and repair planning for small craft, identifying defects and recommending corrective actions.
- Oversaw fabrication tasks including aluminium welding, stringer installation, bulkhead construction, deck layouts, and structural reinforcements.
- Coordinated fibreglass layups, composite repairs, gelcoat work, and surface finishing for small craft and commercial tenders.
- Managed vessel painting and coating systems, including preparation, priming, and topside finishing to marine industry standards.
- Supervised workshop teams during vessel construction, ensuring quality control, correct welding procedures, alignment checks, and safety compliance.
- Worked directly with owners, surveyors, and contractors to plan vessel builds, modifications, and repairs.
- Responsible for procurement of marine-grade materials, equipment, and consumables required for fabrication and vessel fit-outs.
- Scheduled works, allocated labour, and maintained workflow efficiency in a high-paced marine workshop environment.
- Maintained detailed job documentation, build records, and QA systems relevant to small survey-class vessels.
- Performed risk assessments and enforced safe work processes for welding, grinding, confined spaces, working around water, and hazardous materials.
- Assisted in the development of internal fabrication procedures, vessel build processes, and workshop capabilities as the company expanded.
- Ensured all vessel work met marine industry standards for structural integrity, seaworthiness, and compliance with survey requirements.
Industrial Sheet Metal Worker
Bechtel
12.2016 - 12.2017
- Fabricated and assembled custom sheet metal products according to specifications and industry standards.
- Operated various machinery including shears, and brakes for precise metal shaping.
- Collaborated with engineering teams to ensure design feasibility and adherence to project timelines.
- Conducted quality inspections on finished products, identifying defects and implementing corrective actions.
- Demonstrated flexibility when adapting to rapid changes within the construction sector without sacrificing performance levels.
- Attained a reputation for dependability among coworkers due to consistent adherence to deadlines while producing top-notch output.
- Applied knowledge of industry best practices to consistently deliver high-quality results in all aspects of Industrial Sheet Metal work.
Education
Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade - Sheet Metal
TAFE Queensland
QLD08-2015
Workplace Health Safety Officer - WPHS
Commerce QLD
Rockhampton, QLD02-2008
Skills
- Oversight of haul-out operations, vessel lifts, and slipway safety
- Management of survey-class vessel construction, refits, and modifications
- Strong knowledge of AMSA/NSCV survey requirements and marine compliance
- Structural integrity understanding across aluminium, steel, and composite vessels
- Leadership of marine fabrication teams, supervisors, and subcontractors
- Project planning, cost control, procurement, and resource allocation
- Implementation of WHS systems, risk assessments, and high-risk work procedures
- Client communication, tender preparation, and technical reporting
- Strategic business development and operational management of marine services
Timeline
Managing Director
Port City Fabrications
09.2022 - Current
General Manager
Port City Fabrications
12.2017 - 09.2022
Industrial Sheet Metal Worker
Bechtel
12.2016 - 12.2017
Certificate III in Engineering - Fabrication Trade - Sheet Metal
TAFE Queensland
Workplace Health Safety Officer - WPHS
Commerce QLD