Ross Brownlie

Ross has been drawn to the sea for as long as he can remember. Growing up in Gisborne, New Zealand, he developed a strong affinity for sailing, racing dinghies of all shapes and sizes at his local yacht club. After completing his schooling, Ross pursued a five-year boat-building apprenticeship, honing advanced skills in yacht construction and refitting.

Building on this expertise, Ross transitioned to the building industry, focusing on high-end residential renovations, which afforded him the opportunity to travel the world. During his travels, he worked as a deckhand aboard a 147ft superyacht, primarily sailing around the Caribbean and the United States east coast. This experience further deepened his boating knowledge and allowed him to gain hands-on expertise in yacht maintenance and operations.

Upon returning to New Zealand, Ross purchased his own yacht and spent time exploring the region’s renowned cruising grounds, including the Hauraki Gulf, Bay of Islands, and Coromandel. His passion for the marine industry led him to Gulf Harbour Marina, where he spent the past seven years working his way up from dockmaster to maintenance manager and project manager.

Outside of work, Ross enjoys an active lifestyle. He is an avid kitesurfer, bushwalker, and cyclist, and loves spending time outdoors with his two children. His diverse experience in yacht maintenance, construction and operations makes him a valuable asset to our Service team.