Eric (Father)   Eric became interested in boats at a young age with many childhood experiences and as a result of this joined the Royal Naval Reserve at the age of 16 as a junior seaman.  As an experienced Leading Seaman 'Buffer' he was commissioned in 1971 and in 1976 was appointed in command, as a Lieutenant, of his first ship HMS Wiston. For the next fourteen years as a Lieutenant, Lieutenant Commander and Commander he was in command of a total of 14 HM Ships (Bird, Ton and River Class) for periods of up to 4 weeks on exercise. He left the RNR when the MOD decided to remove the dedicated MCM (Mine Counter Measures) role and vessels from the RNR seagoing Divisions.   Eric has many stories to tell (I know as I’ve heard a lot of them) and is happy to spend many hours talking about his experiences at sea. He also needs to resist the force of habit and try not to identify us on the radio as Warship Sanity.  I don’t think the Lock Keepers on the River Trent would quite know how to respond! Feel free to email Eric: eric@mtbsanity.co.uk   RYA Qualifications:  ICC with CEVNI     VHF SRC   Tim (Son) It’s in the blood!  I think it fair to say that I couldn’t ignore boating and from a very early age I became interested in boats - well ships actually. I was in a very unique and fortunate position, from the age of 12, spending days and nights at sea on one of her Majesty’s warships.  Being the Captain’s son granted me the right to place myself on the bridge in the Captain’s chair and see it all first hand, and I loved it!  Looking back I can now appreciate the respect, loyalty, dedication and responsibility expected from the crew and officers aboard a Royal Navy warship. Although tempted over the years I didn’t join the Naval Reserves, instead I followed the ‘office and desk’ route in the world of IT. I would like to think that with my father’s Navy background combined with my IT experience, MTB Sanity should be technically equipped to almost sail herself, but more importantly have the underlying experience, knowledge and skills for a smooth and uneventful passage - you would think! My practical boating experience had been limited to single screw hire craft until we purchased Sanity, but I did have a good appreciation and understanding of the theoretical aspects of boating including manoeuvring, the effects of tides, weather and navigation principles.                                                                            Feel free to email Tim: tim@mtbsanity.co.uk     RYA Qualifications: ICC with CEVNI     VHF SRC