Welcome to Ollie Tucker - Marine Services & Antarctic Boating Officer

About me

My work as an instructor, commercial skipper, and marine services provider has taken me from the busy waters of the South Coast and the River Thames to the remote, challenging environment of Antarctica.

With several years as Chief Instructor at a thriving RYA Training Centre, and additional experience as a self-employed instructor across multiple organisations, I bring both breadth and depth of expertise. I have lead on developing operational documentation to support training centres and commercial operations.

I currently work for the British Antarctic Survey, managing small boat operations at Rothera — the UK’s largest research station. I work to facilitate scientific operations through coxswaining the station’s boats, training others to do so, and undertaking frontline maintenance.

My writing has featured in Powerboat and RIB Magazine as well my own blog Boating on Ice.

Marine Services

My work ethic is driven by tenacity, diplomacy, and respect — I approach every interaction with positivity and professionalism, whether with clients or colleagues.

Training may only be run through an RYA Recognised Training Centre.

Powerboat

RYA Advanced Powerboat Instructor. Teaching all RYA Powerboat Courses, including Advanced, Tender Operator, and conducting ICC Assessments. Experienced with Instructor development/pre-assessment training.

Dinghy Sailing

RYA Senior Instructor & Race Coach Level 2 (previously Chief Instructor). Teaching all RYA National Sailing Scheme Stages, Levels and Modules. Experienced with Assistant Instructor training and Instructor development.

In the Classroom

RYA First Aid and SRC instructor. Experienced in SRC Examinations, including for candidates with complex learning needs. Experienced in providing support for online courses.

Commercial Skipper

Advanced Powerboat Skipper (commercially endorsed). Experienced in scientific, survey, passenger and dive operations. Competent with high speed, twin installation, and displacement vessels. Familiar with petrol, diesel and electric propulsion systems.

Bespoke Courses & Tuition

Experienced in running own boat and area familiarisation sessions, practical navigation and pilotage sessions, and engine maintenance introductory workshops.

Other Services

RYA Training Centre set up and business development, Risk Assessment and policy development. Experienced in website and customer service system development.

Writing & Articles

My writing is intended to give you a sense of my experience and approach on the water. Here you’ll find my professional-interest pieces, while more personal reflections are published on Boating on Ice.

If you’d like an article written with a unique perspective and fast turnaround, I’d be delighted to hear from you.

Powerboat & RIB Magazine: 'Life as Antarctica's Boating Officer'

LinkedIn: 'Handling Reckless Behaviour on the Water'

Boating on Ice: 'A Guide to Boating Through Ice'

Boating on Ice: '5 Lessons I've Learned from Boating in Antarctica'

Boating on Ice 'How to get an Antarctic Job'

Boating on Ice: 'I'm spending 500 days in the Antarctic'

Case Studies

Learn more about my work

Antarctica

At Rothera, the UK’s largest Antarctic research station, I was responsible for coxswaining all four of the base’s RIBs, training staff from novice to competent operator, and leading frontline maintenance. I developed the station’s Marine Search and Rescue training programme and introduced regular exercises to sharpen readiness.

I also drove major improvements to the marine facility — training a record number of staff, expanding recreational boating opportunities, strengthening compliance, and reorganising operations for greater efficiency.

In addition, I managed aspects of wharf safety and large-ship mooring operations, and strengthened the safety culture by systematically reviewing and improving briefings for all boat and near-water users.

Lyme Regis Sea School

I served as Chief Instructor of the Lyme Regis Sea School for a number of years. Over the course of my appointment, I increased annual persons afloat from 125 to over 700, the staff team from 20 to 50+, and turnover to over £80,000 p.a. I overhauled all customer facing software and marketing, bringing a professional touch to the charity.

Behind the scenes, I drove a culture shift, re-centring safety and customer service as the principal drivers of the charity. The success of this was reflected in significantly increased positive feedback, returning staff and students, and a number of no-action RYA Centre Inspections.

NXT Marine

I worked with NXT Marine during their start-up phase to develop RYA Training Centre documentation, resulting in a successful initial inspection. Since then, I have continued refining paperwork in response to later inspections, and have recently assisted in developing a Safety Management System for their nascent commercial services arm. This involved complying with the Port of London Authority's High Speed byelaws.

Instructor Development

I have led successful instructor development initiatives, including RYA Assistant Instructor training and structured multi-year programmes for high-potential instructors. These have delivered both at scale — with more than 10 instructors completing their courses in a single season — and in quality, with consistently minimal to zero action plans from instructor trainers. I am skilled in providing high-quality feedback, focusing on scaffolding learning and setting tasks for learners that are challenging yet achievable.

Testimonials

Powerboat Level 2

‘Had a brilliant weekend learning how to drive powerboats safely. The training from Tom & Oliver was great. It was fun & very informative and I felt very safe in their company. Even the essential classroom sessions they made interesting & I learnt loads. So glad we booked with these guys & I'm much more confident in hiring powerboats on holiday now.’

Events & Pitching

‘Thank you for stepping in to make the event a success. The senior councillor present last night was full of praise for you, your knowledge of the charity and ability to communicate to non-sailors what it’s all about. This will speak well of you, and us, in the future.’

First Aid Training

‘Ollie was super focussed and professional throughout what could have been a dry day of training. He kept everyone engaged, and ensured that we all understood the material before going on. I enjoyed the mix of theoretical and practical exercises, and feel confident in my skills as a First Aider as a result.’

Centre Management

‘You have done a fantastic job over the years and helped move us to a whole new level. You will be a hard act to follow. Thank you for the fantastic job you have done.’

Stakeholder Relationships

‘A huge thanks for your team’s excellent and accomplished tutoring. My daughter came back incredibly proud that she had - under your tutelage - gained her certificate.

You were welcoming and sensitive to my communications about her worries, and your response was above and beyond. Really, really grateful.’