About Us

Meet the Team

• Hamish Derricks

  Managing Director
  Hamish Derricks

  Managing Director

  Hamish Derricks is one of Australia's foremost experts on Coastal Water Safety and Rescue practices and procedures. He has served as Head of Professional Lifeguard Services for the State of Victoria and spent 7 years as the National Development Officer for Surf Life Saving Australia. During this time, he was responsible for developing the National Safety Standards for Community Events and was an editor for the SLSA Lifesaving Training Manual.

  Hamish is an Internationally accredited Senior trainer and assessor for Professional Lifeguards, Inshore Rescue Boats (IRBs) and Personal Watercraft (PWCs) which he was responsible for the introducing into Surf Life Saving as a rescue craft throughout Australia.  He was also responsible for developing and implementing the PWC Search and Rescue training program for the Victorian Police and established the PWC Courtesy Rider Program in Australia that is recognized throughout the world as leading best practice in PWC boating safety.

  With over 35 years in the industry, he is often sought out as a coastal water safety and rescue consultant and has been an adviser to the Government on Maritime Safety. 

  Hamish is founder and Managing Director of the Chinese Water Sports Safety Association (CWSSA) where he is currently developing PWC training courses throughout China and consulting on the introduction of standards for recreational PWC/boating safety.

• David Heyes

  Board Chairman
  David Heyes

  Board Chairman

  David Heyes has over 45 years’ experience working in and advising to the recreation boating industry.  In 1990 David was appointed CEO of HeyTack Australia.  He acquired the distribution license for SeaDoo Personal Watercraft and quickly become the leading distributor worldwide.

  As chairman of the Australian Marine Engine Council and past President of the Boating Industry Association of Victoria, David has been an adviser to ministers and government agencies on issues relating to boating safety and legislation for the operation, licensing and ownership of motorized marine craft.

  David has also been a consultant on emergency management protocols and provided professional advice to coroner inquests on the response to critical incidents.

  His experience and strategic insight have also been influential in shaping government policies on boating and he has been recognized by the industry for his contribution to the boating safety worldwide.

  David is currently Chairman of the China Water Sports Safety Association, and continues to advise governments, media, and legislative bodies on key operational strategies and safety considerations for Personal Watercraft, Jet Boats, Fishing, and General Boating.

• Mike Whittaker

  Chief Innovation Officer
  Mike Whittaker

  Chief Innovation Officer

  Mike Whittaker has over 30 years experience in Surf Rescue patrolling Australia's most treacherous beaches. He was previously a Professional Lifeguard and member of the Victorian Off-Shore Rescue crew, and was responsible for establishing the Surf Survival Program in Victoria.

  He is a qualified SLSA trainer and has a Graduate Diploma of Education in Outdoor Education, as well as a Degree in Applied Science, and a Graduate Diploma in Management.

  For the past 10 years he has been an Emergency Management and Recovery Manager for one of Australia's largest cities.

  Mike is also a highly experienced CX (Customer Experience) professional having previously been recognized for website development, and has won numerous awards for service experience design at both the Australian and International Service Excellence Awards.