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Frederick John Dovaston (1946 - 2008)

Fred Dovaston, a gentle giant in the yachting world sadly passed away at the age of 61 on the 2nd June 2008, after a long and courageous battle with a brain tumour. In recent years Fred’s name became an established part of the yachting industry through his company ‘Fred Dovaston Crew’ but he was a legend in sailing circles well before this.

Fred was born and bought up in NW London by working class parents, had a secondary education and left school at 15 to start an apprenticeship in the printing industry. From the age of 11 he was very active and had a zest for adventure, participating in any kind of outdoor pursuit he could get involved in. He started his sailing career by joining the Ocean Youth Club based out of Gosport. On a cold and windy March weekend, he joined a few other greenhorns on a trip on a 1908 Gaff Pilot Cutter. The action and excitement was second to none.

So that was it, he was converted. From then on all of his spare time and money was devoted to sailing. By the age of 22 he had his Board of Trade Yachtmaster Ocean Certificate, was a volunteer Captain for the OYC and had cruised the Caribbean and crossed the Atlantic twice. Soon after, his career in ‘The Print’ was over. The OYC had appointed him as full time Captain of their sail training vessel, based out Holyhead. For 7 years he took 15 to 21 year olds on adventure cruises on the West Coast of England, Scotland and Ireland, introducing them to the joys of the sea. He was a wonderful teacher and an unflappable Captain.

Sadly, his skills didn’t extend to culinary expertise as his one-way porridge was infamous. He had the theory that if he made it thick enough, the seasick youngsters wouldn’t bring it back up again!

Among many sea-going exploits, Fred competed in 3 Round Britain Races, several Trans-Atlantic races as well as joining Claire Francis in the Whitbread round the World Race as engineer and cameraman, providing a lot of footage for the BBC film. His most notable racing achievement was winning his class in the 1981 Short-Handed Trans-Atlantic race, setting a record for mono-hulls under 50 feet, which he held for 10 years. Another notable achievement was delivering a brand new motor yacht from Lake Michigan via the Mississippi. A journey seldom undertaken in a yacht.

Fred ran several private yachts over the years, before finally joining SY Aquarius W in 1983 as 1st Officer. Six months later he took over as Captain. He was with Aquarius W for 7 years before meeting his wife Karen. They continued to work together onboard for a further 4 years before deciding to drop anchor in Mallorca and settle ashore, where they started a family together.

In 1996 Fred decided using his wealth of knowledge in crew management, to start up a yacht crew agency. Now, over a decade on, the business has grown from strength to strength and is internationally renowned and respected within the yachting industry, among captains, owners and crew.

Fred dealt with his illness with the same dignity and strength of spirit that he brought to all he did. He was a wonderful husband to Karen and a superb father to Kathryn, Helena, and Jonathan.

Fred touched the lives of all who were privileged to have known him.