Australian Geographic Postcast With Captain Gary Wilson
How to turn sailing into a time-travel adventure
Gary recently joined Chrissie Goldrick from the Australian Geographic team to record a podcast as part of their series “Talking Australia”. Take a listen as he unpacks the history of early maritime explorers and Coral Expeditions explorations today.
Gary turned his passion and love for the sea into a unique career. He guides guests onboard Coral Adventurer through the coasts of Australia and beyond.
Gary has a passion for marine history, and over the years he has learned to master the art of sailing replica ships around the globe. Historic vessels such as Captain James Cook´s legendary Endeavour (originally built in 1764) and more recently an exact replica of the lesser-known Dutch ship Duyfken (originally built in 1595), the first to reach Australia. On this episode Gary talks about some of the upcoming once-in-a-lifetime experiences you can share with him, and explains what it feels like to travel back in time sailing historic ships.
More About our Master Of Fleet – Gary Wilson
First went to sea 1981
Cadetship with BHP 1983-87
Masters certificate 1993
Sailed in 58 different vessels on worldwide voyages and have held command of 10 of them.
Types of ships – specialised in traditional square-rigged sailing vessels, also bulk carriers, general cargo ships, passenger vessels, icebreakers, lighthouse/buoy tenders.
First joined Coral Expeditions (Then called Coral Princess Cruises) in 2011, as Master of Oceanic Discoverer
Career highlights – sailing in 16 square-rigged vessels all over the world, including a rounding of Cape Horn in brigantine Eye of the Wind; serving in world’s last seagoing paddle steamer Waverley; serving in last Royal Mail ship St Helena, voyage to Antarctica in icebreaker Aurora Australis; commissioning Master of new expedition passenger ship Coral Adventurer; promotion to Senior Master of Coral Expeditions.
Job Description: As well as one of the regular Masters of Coral Adventurer, Gary is part of the company Management Council as Senior Master, involved with company planning, organisation and training.
A Typical Working Day: Gary’s day starts at 0400, on navigation watch on the bridge, through to 0800 and then again from 1600 to 2000. The rest of the day is spent supervising all aspects of the ship’s operation, with regular consultations with my Heads of Departments – Chief Engineer, Chief Officer, Purser and Expedition Leader. Gary also spends time with the passengers each day as well and of course there is always plenty of paperwork!
Favourite Cruise Moment: Taking the ship into a very tight anchorage in Mesemta, Indonesia, the first time ever that a ship had been in there.
Favourite Cruise Port: Banda – Spice Islands. Always a great welcome there from the Kora Kora war canoes, friendly people and so much history.
Tips for passengers: Take advantage of as many excursions and lectures as possible that we offer – the areas that we visit are some of the most interesting and spectacular on Earth, there is so much to see and learn about.
