Nigel Burgess
Encyclopedia
Nigel Allan Burgess was a British
single-handed
yachtsman, Master Mariner
and businessman. He took part in the OSTAR
and the Vendée Globe
. He founded Nigel Burgess Yacht Brokers, a company which has remained one of the leading yachtbrokers in the world, and was responsible for the sale of Saddam Hussein's yacht in 2008.
Born in 1942 in Cheam
, Surrey he was educated at Homefield Preparatory School
and Thames Nautical Training College. He served with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary
(RFA) gaining his master's ticket. His first major single handed yacht race was the Observer Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race
in 1968 in which he sailed his yacht Dogwatch.
On leaving the RFA he established Nigel Burgess Yacht Brokers and moved his home to Monaco.
He subsequently entered the 1988 Carlsberg Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race
in Dogwatch A coming first in his class.
In 1992 he entered that year's Vendée Globe
and was lost at sea three days into the race.
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
single-handed
Single-handed sailing
The sport of single-handed sailing or solo sailing is sailing with only one crewmember . The term is usually used with reference to ocean and long-distance sailing, and particularly competitive sailing....
yachtsman, Master Mariner
Master mariner
A Master Mariner or MM is the professional qualification required for someone to serve as the person in charge or person in command of a commercial vessel. In England, the term Master Mariner has been in use at least since the 13th century, reflecting the fact that in guild or livery company terms,...
and businessman. He took part in the OSTAR
Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race
The Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race, or STAR, is an east-to-west yacht race across the North Atlantic. When inaugurated in 1960, it was the first single-handed ocean yacht race; it is run from Plymouth to the USA, and is held every four years....
and the Vendée Globe
Vendée Globe
The Vendée Globe is a round-the-world single-handed yacht race, sailed non-stop and without assistance. The race was founded by Philippe Jeantot in 1989, and since 1992 has taken place every four years....
. He founded Nigel Burgess Yacht Brokers, a company which has remained one of the leading yachtbrokers in the world, and was responsible for the sale of Saddam Hussein's yacht in 2008.
Born in 1942 in Cheam
Cheam
Cheam is a large suburban village close to Sutton in the London Borough of Sutton, England, and is located close to the southern boundary between Greater London and Surrey. It is divided into two main areas: North Cheam and Cheam Village. North Cheam includes more retail shops and supermarkets,...
, Surrey he was educated at Homefield Preparatory School
Homefield Preparatory School
Homefield Preparatory School is an independent school for boys in Sutton, in South London. The school established itself as "A Preparatory School for the Sons of Gentlemen” and as giving “carefully graduated preparation for Public Schools and Royal Navy, either on the classical or on the modern...
and Thames Nautical Training College. He served with the Royal Fleet Auxiliary
Royal Fleet Auxiliary
The Royal Fleet Auxiliary is a civilian-manned fleet owned by the British Ministry of Defence. The RFA enables ships of the United Kingdom Royal Navy to maintain operations around the world. Its primary role is to supply the Royal Navy with fuel, ammunition and supplies, normally by replenishment...
(RFA) gaining his master's ticket. His first major single handed yacht race was the Observer Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race
Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race
The Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race, or STAR, is an east-to-west yacht race across the North Atlantic. When inaugurated in 1960, it was the first single-handed ocean yacht race; it is run from Plymouth to the USA, and is held every four years....
in 1968 in which he sailed his yacht Dogwatch.
On leaving the RFA he established Nigel Burgess Yacht Brokers and moved his home to Monaco.
He subsequently entered the 1988 Carlsberg Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race
Single-Handed Trans-Atlantic Race
The Single-handed Trans-Atlantic Race, or STAR, is an east-to-west yacht race across the North Atlantic. When inaugurated in 1960, it was the first single-handed ocean yacht race; it is run from Plymouth to the USA, and is held every four years....
in Dogwatch A coming first in his class.
In 1992 he entered that year's Vendée Globe
Vendée Globe
The Vendée Globe is a round-the-world single-handed yacht race, sailed non-stop and without assistance. The race was founded by Philippe Jeantot in 1989, and since 1992 has taken place every four years....
and was lost at sea three days into the race.