About us
Our Instructors
About us
Our Instructors
The Commercial Marine Industry is regulated by Transport Canada and as such, appropriate training is required. Our Instructors have a wide variety of Skills, Experience and Certifications to aid you in your endeavours and gaining the marine training you want and need!
- 150 Ton Commercial Master Certification with sea time on:
- Tankers and Fish Packers
- Vessel Assist and Towing, Dive Salvage and Recovery
- Yacht Deliveries and Charters
- Advanced Sail Canada Instructor Certification
- European Certificate of Competency Instructor Certification
- Transport Canada Approved Course Provider
- ROC-M Marine Radio Instructor Certification
- Adult Education Certificate
- Many Years Experience Operating and Instructing for Sail Canada / IYT Marine School
Our Instructors
Instructor Greig Williams
Our Instructors
Instructor Greig Williams
Greig is an experienced sailor and a veteran of South Pacific offshore cruising including more than 30,000 miles sailed in Hawaii, French Polynesia, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands, and extensive local cruising. He is also a 150 ton Commercial Master with tanker, salmon trolling and packing experience with more than 2 years Certified Commercial sea time. In addition, Greig is also a Transport Canada Marine Safety Instructor.
Are you drawn to sailing and the marine environment? My own answer to this calling was a sea-going life early on. I was sailing the South Pacific, working on commercial vessels in the North Atlantic and Pacific, and formalizing my sea time into a Commercial Masters Ticket and CYA Instructor Certifications.
The question is, how to enter this world in a safe way with good habits and skills, right from the start? Allow me to share my experience with you in the SVOP, SDV-BS, and ROC-M Radio courses.
Our Instructors
Instructor Francois Michaud
Our Instructors
Instructor Francois Michaud
Originally from Quebec City, I moved to Vancouver Island in 1995 in pursuit of the great outdoors and once I laid eyes on the Pacific Ocean off the West Coast of Vancouver Island, I never looked back!
With a deep attraction for the sea, I eventually joined the Canadian Coastguard in 2002, where I had the opportunity to serve for ten years on various ships and Lifeboat stations. During time off, between times where I self-studied and attended marine training courses at various training institutions, I eventually obtained my Watchkeeping Mate-Near Coastal and 150 T. Master.
Having been a liaison officer for the CoastGuard Auxiliary-Pacific during a short tenure at the Coastguard head office in Victoria, I ended up joining the RCM-SAR (formerly Can.CG Auxiliary Pacific) as the Chief Instructor. My role’s objectives were to develop and deliver a revised training curriculum, deliver TC-approved courses such as SVOP, SEN-L and MED-A3 and using tools such as a sophisticated fast-response craft simulator and various training vessels to develop practical boat handling and navigational skills. This provided a methodical and practical approach to the necessary knowledge and skills required by volunteers, with objectives to increase safety of operations, operational readiness and standardisation of procedures across 35-plus stations located all over the BC Coast.
After ten years with RCMSAR as Chief Instructor, I made the transition and joined the dynamic team of instructors at the Western Maritime Institute in Ladysmith in November of 2021. I started my own consulting sole proprietor company called FM Marine Consulting and have been contracting my teaching services to WMI during the winter months, teaching various Transport Canada accredited marine courses such as Marine Fire Fighting, Basic Safety training and Marine Radio courses.
Since 2022 during the summer months, I work as a 150T. Captain for the Whale watching vessel Salish Sea Eclipse, a 135 Gross Ton catamaran, over 24 meters long and 95 passenger capacity for Prince Of Whales in Victoria.
I thrive on bringing relevancy and practicality to mariners of all levels, who I have the privilege to assist during their learning experience. My favorite topics include Meteorology, Radar Navigation, Chartwork and small vessel handling.
Our Instructors
Instructor Brian Broeke
Our Instructors
Instructor Brian Broeke
Brian is a professional mariner with over 40 years experience in many different areas of the marine industry. HIs work has included fishing vessels, power and sailing yachts, traditional square rigged sailing vessels, towing vessels, supply vessels, passenger/car ferries, and inland waterway tankers in Europe. He has made numerous ocean crossings and performed much coastal work on a variety of vessels.
The multi-disciplinary approach to his career has allowed him to hold Transport Canada certification for both Deck Officer and Marine Engineer Officer.
He is the father of two adult children and happily married to his wife of many years. He is semi-retired and appreciates the opportunity to give back to the marine community by teaching.
He likes to spend his small amounts of spare time in his workshop woodworking and building furniture.
