Positions Vacant

Shipwright/Boatbuilder

Located in Cardiff, suburban Newcastle close to the shores of Lake Macquarie Australia’s largest saltwater lake. We are a boutique fibreglass yacht and boat builder and when other boat building businesses are struggling we have again broken all records and had our best year yet. We recently advertised for and employed an excellent shipwright and due to continued growth are now looking for another.

Our client base includes some of the wealthiest movers and shakers in Australia as well as average mums and dads who have worked hard all their lives to realise their dreams on the water.

We are now searching for some of Australia’s or even the World’s best trade’s people to join our team.

First and foremost we are looking for people with a real passion for boatbuilding, particularly cruising yachts. Our clients are demanding and as a team we must deliver. So, you will be a qualified tradesperson with significant experience in building fibreglass yachts 30 foot and larger. Ideally you will have experience in all aspects of the build (although we do currently contract out electrical and intricate cabinet making). You will be well organised, able to follow plans and work to a tight schedule. You will take ownership of your tasks and accept responsibility for achieving the required outcomes. From time to time you will need to use your brain to logically think through problems you may not have seen before and take the initiative to get the job done.

You must be well presented and with excellent communication skills in reading writing and speaking. You will often interact with our clients and need to be knowledgeable and confident in your communication. You will also need to be able to clearly enunciate your needs to other staff, apprentices and suppliers.

Yes, you will be supervising other staff and apprentices and you must be comfortable in fact happy and keen to do this. So you will need to be able to lead by example in all areas of your work, trade skills, attitude, efficiency, completion of jobs. As mentioned above our clients are demanding although we as a business probably make higher demands on ourselves than even our customers do! You must have the strength of character to finish jobs well, as close to perfection as possible, not take short cuts that compromise quality and end up costing more when they have to be re-done.

So, does all of this appeal to you, are you that special person that will fit into our team.

Our future is strong, our clients and others in the industry will tell you that we build the best, strongest, most comfortable and safest cruising yachts in Australia. Come and be part of our team….if you are up to it.

You can apply by contacting me, David Bradburn, the owner.

Send a written application, preferably with a portfolio of some of your previous work and telling me why you feel you’d be a great member of our team.

This is what some of our key staff say about working at Bluewater, and what they like about being a boat builder:

Russell Webster - Boat Builder

“Working at Bluewater provides the opportunity to build boats from start to finish. As well as be involved in all aspects of boat building during construction. Also, many and varied smaller projects over the last 7 years. Boat building provides me with the opportunity to work practically, creatively and artistically to overcome problems and achieve standards of work uncommon in today’s world. I enjoy and strive for the craftsmanship and discipline necessary to bring imagination and design to the conclusion of something beautiful and worthwhile.”

Alan Quinnell - GRP Layup/Boat Builder

“I like working at Bluewater because there is a wide variety of jobs and a real sense of achievement when you finish building a yacht. The joy of being a boat builder is that we have the ability to turn raw materials into a yacht that the customer will love and cherish because of the dedication and hard work that has been put into constructing their dream boat.”

Bryan Wilson - Boat Builder

“I like the freedom to express your ideas and work out the best way to do a job with the boss, foreman and owners. A good team environment with a boss who works alongside his staff. All the workers have a passion to build the best boat with no compromise to the end result. I love to do creative work and getting great satisfaction when looking at a job I have completed, meeting customers who have a passion for sailing and their boats and helping them reach their dreams, and teaching the skills to Apprentices to become great boat builders with the knowledge to build their own boats.”

James Christie - 3rd Year Apprentice

“The main thing I like about working at Bluewater is the great opportunity. At Bluewater we experience the start to finish of building boats, and also using and sailing the yachts. We are taught to be very versatile boat builders.

Not many companies offer that opportunity. What is great about being a boat builder is that it is very challenging. Everyday is something new and different. When you have put in the hours and worked hard on the job it is very rewarding to see the boat in the water operating the way it should. Also, building boats always keeps you thinking and on your toes.”

Hayden Gavin - 2nd Year Apprentice

“Already as a 2nd Year Apprentice the range of jobs I have performed surpasses what I expected. The type of boats we build provide the opportunity to become a well rounded boat builder, from big glassing jobs to helping fit engines, through to the final timber fitout.

Also, the constant insisting from David and the tradesmen to teach me to get it right, and do a quality job every time pushes me to be as good as possible. It is miles ahead of other trades. The amount of variety of skills already I have gained does not compare. Actually wanting to go to work to build great boats is the difference. Having a love for boating helps a lot. Seeing a finished boat on the water and being able to say that I was responsible for that is a great feeling.”