The Skipper Mark Tilly has arrived on board Emerald to start the ARC preparations. The race will start on Sunday. Mark is also the Marine Sales Specialist for Voller Energy for the Emerald fuel cell system.

Mark Tilly has sailed and raced dinghies from the age of 7 with RYA Intermediate dinghy qualifications.  I have sailed extensively with the Navy including spells as watch leader on Nicholson 55,s in various race series.  I have raced as watch leader across the Atlantic from Boston to Liverpool.  I have RYA yacht master theory and coastal practical.  I have owned and sailed yachts from 21 feet to 45 feet and skippered the family 35 foot sloop during a year out sailing the med including Bay of Biscay crossings.  The family boats have mainly been kept and sailed on the south coast but we had a Beneteau First 31.7 which we kept and sailed in Barcelona.

Another member of the crew is also on board James Tilly, who is Mark’s son. James has sailed dinghies including RYA training from the age of 8 and currently owns and sails a quarter tonner racing yacht.  He has crewed the family yacht for years including cross channel trips and a years sailing on a "year out" in the MED.