Da Gama

Established by Mariners for Mariners

Da Gama is a navigation management company providing services to the Maritime Industry in three main areas:

• Supply - To achieve the necessary IMO regulations and Flag state Requirements, we can relieve you of the burden of having to source every loose item required as part of your navigation outfit including paper and electronic charts, pencils, binoculars, VHF radios, Admiralty publications and even the highest quality flags embroidered to a standard you'll find hard to match.  While we liaise closely with clients to achieve their requirements, they can if necessary place orders directly through our website 24/7 for any of the above.

• Training - MCA approved on board crew training in both paper and electronic procedures (in accordance with IMO model 1.27) and vessel accreditation in ECDIS to Flag State regulations. Sending the trainers to the vessel reduces your training costs and travel budget by not having to return the crew to a foreign shore based centre with associated travel, accommodation and subsistence costs. On board crew training in fire refreshers to help develop a new crew into an effective team.

• Consultancy - Wide-ranging navigation consultancy with a particular focus on bridge design, operating procedures and vessel security.  As professional navigation specialists our team provide consultancy advice to a number of high profile companies and military forces around the world so you can be certain, no-one will provide you with a more experienced or honest opinion.

Regularly asked to write articles, present at maritime conferences, provide editorial feedback and advice to the marine industry and Superyachts in particular we are gaining a reputation for honesty and discrete professionalism.  See the News Article link to the left for some of the key highlights.

So Who Are We?

Steve Monk has spent most of his life at sea on a range of vessels including sail and power.  With more salt water than blood running through his veins, he remains passionate about the water and the encouragement of others to push themselves in the challenges thrown up by the sea.  A 21 year career in the Royal Navy through 15 ships saw him rise from junior rate to Navigator of the Fleet Flag Ship and aircraft carrier, HMS ARK ROYAL.  Officially recognised and awarded for his professionalism and instructional skills, he completed a two year period developing and honing the skills of future Officers at the US Naval Academy, Annapolis.  Ever dedicated to the development of navigational abilities, as a qualified Specialist Navigator he was the lead navigation instructor for Flag Officer Sea Training where he led a team who pushed the boundaries and limits of every RN and many NATO ships bridge teams to enhance their skills and abilities.  Despite having left the Navy, he is regularly called back to assist with the training and assessment of ships bridge teams.

Full command qualified, an Associate Fellow of both the Royal Institute of Navigation and Nautical institute and a member of the Honourable Company of Master Mariners, he has many years of experience in driving ships of all sizes.  Steve provides consultancy advice and instruction to military forces around the world and focuses on assisting all professional mariners in maintaining their safety of navigation.

Captain Paul Cook is vastly experienced mariner who completed a successful Royal Navy career that spanned 25 years and 14 ships with 3 appointments as Captain of frontline operational warships from 38m to 210m and 170 to 20,000 tonnes. These ships operated around the world and carried a wide variety and number of aircraft including helicopters and fixed wing short take off and vertical landing jets. He specialised in maritime, land and air warfare and has particular expertise in navigation, anti-terrorist and anti-piracy techniques. His private yacht experience kicked off at the highest level as joint Captain of a new 67m Feadship bringing it through the build phase and then working the team into a fully operational private motor yacht. This period complimented his previous experience of scoping, procuring, building and refitting a number of highly technical vessels before developing their operating and management systems. With first-hand knowledge of navigating and operating both Warships and Superyachts around the world he has experienced the challenges of command in the tropical climes to both Polar regions.