Associate Editor Aileen Mack joined Dockwalk in July 2018. She is a graduate of the University of Florida with a bachelor’s degree in journalism. If she’s not at a concert or coffee shop, she is lost in a book, movie or a YouTube rabbit hole. Email Aileen at aileen@dockwalk.com.
Capt. John Percival was an ambassador for onboard training and encouraging investment in a vessel’s crew. The crew training center he founded, John Percival Marine Associates (JPMA), aims to promote high standards in all levels of crew and departments and inspire students to nurture junior crew. So in his memory, the John Percival Leadership Award was created for crew who personify the ideal.
Capt. Matteo Malfatti of M/Y Sangha is the winner of the 2022 John Percival Leadership Award, after being nominated by his crew and the yacht’s management company.
Stew/massage therapist Sanell Senekal says: “He is always willing to help the crew and is super hands-on with the interior duties to make the workload easier when things are a bit crazy. He always takes the time to listen to our concerns and will always judge a situation fairly and realistically. Besides his great leadership qualities, he is a very caring, friendly, and understanding person and captain and really takes great care of his crew.”
Yacht Manager Holly Hampson praises Capt. Malfatti for extending a supportive environment beyond the crew to everyone he works with, from management to contractors and suppliers. “He sets immensely high standards for himself and in turn, his crew sees this and is inspired and encouraged to motivate themselves accordingly,” Hampson adds. “He is a great asset to the yacht, owners, and our management company. He is certainly a standout captain in our fleet.”
Capt. Malfatti says winning is an “incredible moment.” He adds: “I am blown away by this announcement and would like to express my most sincere gratitude. Success comes when we want everyone around us to succeed. Believing in our people, being there for them, this is the key to achieving great things, together.”
JPMA’s instructors nominated students they had taught during 2022. The Student Star Award (Deck) went to Emma Bokvist, who attended an online Oral Preparation course but had to postpone her course for a few days to deal with a personally difficult and traumatic incident. But the deck instructors recognized her strength of character and commitment to carry on with her studies, despite her situation.
Adam White receives the Student Star Award (Engineering). The JPMA engineer instructors saw White’s determination and resilience as he worked toward his SV Chief Engineer <3000gt/<9000kW CoC while still working full time and overcoming hurdles with his dyslexia. After beginning his training at JPMA with his Y4 modules in 2015, he reached his goal and finished the oral preparation course in 2022.