Interview with the skipper

Interview with the skipper - Jeff Ward, skipper of Seaventures – the new high-speed RIB vessel which travels the seaboard of the north-west coast directly from Fort William – took some time out from his skippering duties to tell us a bit about his life and his great love, the sea:

"I've spent the last 10 years as a diver, working mainly on Scotland's west coast," he said. He has achieved numerous dives in that time searching the sea, usually for scallops. "Scallop diving for me is one of the best jobs in the world," Jeff smiled, "during summer, that is! And it's one of the hardest and most dangerous in the winter. "But any time of year, Scotland's seaboard on and beneath the waves is special, almost like a friend, a moody friend sometimes! "You never quite know what the sea will be like on the day, but you can be sure you will be amazed. "When you feel stressed you feel calmed, when you feel alone the sea can seem a friend to you."

Jeff continues: "Many's the time I've found the solution to a problem while at sea - the peace and tranquility of the waters bring calm. "But it has the power to humble the hardest and strongest of us, so we always give her the respect she's due. I have tried not to damage anything at sea, in the hope she will also look after me."

Jeff describes his times out diving: "Year in and year out, we would be on the same reef somewhere between Crinan and Skye, meeting the same whales, seals and birds - I'm sure they know who the locals are!" he said. "The odd pod of dolphins would swim by, even an orca from time to time would leap from the sea, head to tail. "Underwater, you would bump into a massive skate or swim in a field of clams so thick they'd seem like butterflies passing you by. "My favourite moments would be when a pod of dolphins swam past with their young in tow, or when we'd be surrounded by a group of Minke whales feeding on the same reef where we were diving. "Many times I would find myself combing the barren shores of remote outcrops and islands, stunned into awe by the rock formations, plants and wildlife moving around me."

And so with Seaventures, Jeff’s great wish is to share his love and knowledge of the sea with those who would not otherwise be able to experience up close the wonders of the ocean. On the Sea Ventures trips, they regularly see common dolphins, bottlenose dolphins, harbour porpoises, plus colonies of common and grey seals. On a full-day spectacular trip, you could catch a glimpse of a basking shark or Minke whale as you adventure by Oban, Mull and the Ardnamurchan Lighthouse. The birdlife is amazing with wild geese, guillemots, gannets, fulmars, shags, puffins, and golden eagle sightings as you pass magnificent cliffs and enjoy stunning scenery, passing up to eight castles in a day.

Jeff said: "We've had people on board aged between six and 86 and each has enjoyed the experience. One lady wanted to pass her original home on Lismore, which we gladly did!"

Jeff finishes by saying: If you really want to experience the ocean and wonderful west coast of Scotland, you need to become part of the picture. "It's my desire to introduce people to this wondrous meeting of land and sea and to give memories that will always remain. "From the time we depart Fort William, we leave our troubles behind and relax awhile in Mother Nature's arms."