Who is David?

I remember when I first met David his only passion was sailing, every weekend and sometimes in the evening he would take his Laser out for hours at a time. He also crewed for other people and enjoyed every minute of it. Even if they weren't actually sailing he would spend days cleaning the boats, I'm sure there's a technical name for it and someone will post it on this site, getting them ready for a Regatta.

David has sailed in many Regattas in the U.K. and when he moved to Spain he went to Benalmadena Marina to look for a boat to join. Typical of David he didn't know anyone but cheerfully spoke to anyone in English and Spanglish and of course he was asked to sail. For the last 6 years he has been the only 'Brit' on the boat, it didn't matter to him that he didn't understand everything that was said - he was sailing. He went to Melilla for a weeks Regatta, he's sailed out of numerous Spanish ports and has his Spanish Crew Licence.

During all of this time David has taken various exams to improve his sailing ability, but the big one The Yacht Master was until recently only a dream. His work here wasn't fulfilling for him so we decided if that's what he wanted to do he should have a go. Off he went to Portugal in a little C1, he looked like Noddy, and immersed himself in charts, knots and navigation. His overwhelming delight at passing the exam was wonderful, he was like a dog with two tails. He set about applying to every agency on the internet, his C.V. has gone round the world twice and when he got this job he was over the moon. He sent e-mails home and text messages and when I spoke to him it was obvious how happy he was.

It's a difficult decision to be apart for 4 or 5 months apart, but life is too short to work in a job you don't really like and we decided we were two strong people who could cope with the separation, and of course when I wasn't working I could fly to wherever he was for a few days, as you all know I need no excuse to get on a plane, especially if it's a dream destination. That was the one rule I gave him – Do not apply to anywhere North of the Mediterranean!

He had my blessing to go away and fulfil his dream and now he has my full support to get him out of the hellhole he finds himself in.

I have given my solemn oath that the people who did this to David, and his fellow crew members, will pay for it. I will never, never let this matter rest until the perpetrators are brought to justice.

Other peoples thoughts about David

We have a collection of references which we intend to put on this site, but have not yet had the time