From Super Yachts to Super Sea Tow W

From Super Yachts
to Super Sea Tow
W
hen former theatrical agent
Cluny Morton married her
yachting mad boyfriend Matt in the
Blue Mountains she had no idea that
within a year she would be head chef
on a $5 million yacht cruising the
Bahamas and catering for the new
Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant movie
Two Weeks Notice.
“We knew the Super Yacht industry
was huge in Florida and I had an agent
who was adamant she could get us
these people are used to getting whatever they want,
work together if we just turned up,” said Matt. “It took us a
whenever they want it.”
few weeks to find our feet but eventually we landed a dream
job on a beautiful 108ft luxury yacht complete with a friendly
Matt and Cluny encountered many famous faces during
captain and great crew.”
their 18 month stint on the super yacht Fearless.
Cluny, however, had a few reservations.
“Our boss, local businessman Gary Fears, knew everyone!
“For one thing I couldn’t
We were just one of five boats
cook,” she said. “Or at least
he entertained on. He was an
“Hugh Grant was also very polite and
I didn’t think I could. But there
extremely wealthy and
was very little choice at the
generous man,” said Matt
friendly but much quieter and seemed
time. Our chef resigned at
“The alcohol budget on our
rather worried about the fumes from the boat alone exceeded
the last minute and I, as Head
engine which, as ship’s engineer, I
Stewardess, stepped in and
$US10,000 per month.
catered for a two week charter
Guests included actress
assured him were not poisonous.”
at the Atlantis Resort in the
Angie Everhart, Andy Gibb
Bahamas. It went so well the
and Aerosmith lead singer
captain gave me the job. It could be an incredibly stressful
Steven Tyler. Bill Clinton was also a close friend.”
position. When the guests holiday on the boat all they really
But apart from the lavish Miami South Beach parties,
want is great weather and great food. Sometimes the
Fearless was a boat-for-hire. The legendary late Herb Ritts
weather lets us down, and then all eyes turn to the chef and
shot one of his last Vogue covers featuring super model
Carmen Kass posing on the bow of the boat.
John Travolta had also been a very popular guest on the
boat.
“His first charter with Fearless was before we had joined
the crew but he had already booked a second trip,” said
Cluny. “Unfortunately film commitments and bad weather
prevented John from returning to the boat but I did get to
plan a menu for him. He has a big appetite and loves nothing
better than a BLT in the galley with the crew … preferably
followed up by any kind of chocolate. One thing that
surprised me was that he would not eat garlic. A restriction
like that can be a real headache, especially for an
inexperienced cook and although I was dying to meet John
I was secretly relieved that I did not have to cook for him.”
26 / 17 Bowden St, Alexandria NSW 2015
“Then the call came from Sandra Bullock’s Production
Tel: 02 9319 5222
Company and within days we were steaming up the coast
Email: sales@collinsmarine.com.au
from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Manhattan Island, New
NANNI DIESEL AUSTRALIA
26 AFLOAT.com.au
March 2003
the open sea without power. Our message is to get people
York,” laughed Matt. “They used the back deck for a two
home safely to their dock or a place of repair.
minute scene involving Hugh and Sandra. Although the
props department changed the look of the boat so much we
“In America Sea Tow have over 80 Franchises and
wondered why they hadn’t thought of building their own.”
membership will top 250,000 by the end of the year. Boating
anywhere in the world is an expensive business and anything
“The shoot was a 30-hour day and absolutely exhausting,”
that helps minimise the associated costs of running a boat
continued Cluny. “I had to prepare the meals for the dinnermust be a bonus. In the States, Sea Tow members are
for-two scene but you need endless identical plates of food
entitled to reduced insurance
to cover an entire night’s
premiums as Sea Tow
shooting. It was a long time
… we were all star struck by Sandra
operations
have
before I could look at tuna or
Bullock … She has a terrific personality,
dramatically reduced the
prawns again and I’m sure
incidence of major damage
Hugh and Sandra felt the
extremely thoughtful and friendly but
requiring repair claims.
same.”
obviously a woman very much in control
“We must stress that we
Coming from a theatrical
of her own destiny,”…
are not a ‘Search and
family, her mother is actress
Rescue’ organisation. And
Barbara Morton, and as
we are not competing with
former agent to Lisa McCune
the Volunteer Coast Guard or Water Police – rather we hope
and William McInnes amongst others, Cluny was used to
to complement their services by freeing them up for the
dealing with actors.
emergency situations. We believe we can all work together
“However, we were all star struck by Sandra Bullock in
to ensure our precious leisure time on the water is as safe as
particular. She has a terrific personality, extremely thoughtful
possible.”
and friendly but obviously a woman very much in control of
The first Sea Tow office in Australia is based out of
her own destiny,” Matt said. “Hugh Grant was also very
Gladesville Bridge Marina in Drummoyne.
polite and friendly but much quieter and seemed rather
worried about the fumes from the engine which, as ship’s
“We hope to open franchises in Port Hacking, Pittwater
engineer, I assured him were not poisonous.”
and Botany Bay as soon as possible to increase membership
benefits,” said Cluny. Soon it won’t matter where you are,
The long hours paid off when Matt and Cluny met up with
you will be covered by the Sea Tow skipper in that area.”
the American founders of Sea Tow International.
For information about Sea Tow memberships call Matt
“We wanted to use our savings to build a business in
or Cluny Cummings on 02 9181 3777.
Australia,” Matt said. “And this seemed perfect. Sydney
Harbour is basically my office! I’ve grown up around boats
whether as deckhand, skipper or engineer, I’m happiest on
the water and I love helping people out of sticky situations.
Cluny can use her marketing and office skills and she
doesn’t have to cook, at least not for 30 people at a time!
Sea Tow Sydney is set up to provide Sydney with an
assistance programme on the water.
ABOUT BUYING OR SELLING
“Sort of like an NRMA on the water,” said Matt. “We
YOUR BOAT?
researched the idea while still in the States and were amazed
We are..!
to find there was nothing like this already in Australia. It is
just such a great concept. For a low annual fee boaters are
Professional Boat Brokerage on
entitled to 24 hour assistance, free towing, free petrol drops,
Sydney Harbour
free propeller disentanglement and free battery jump starts.
We can also sell and install a new battery on the water.
Further offices on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide & Perth
“It takes all the worry out of boating as there are few
With offices Australia wide we offer over twenty sales
places we can feel more vulnerable than bobbing around in
staff promoting your boat or finding the boat of your
dreams. Comprehensive services are offered to
buyers and sellers, including inspection reports,
slipping services, berthing, boat handling instruction,
insurance, finance, national coverage and sound advice.
SERIOUS
Ferguson's Boatshed Marina,
83 Parriwi Road, The Spit, Mosman
Phone: 9960 6399
Westport Marina, Cabarita Road,
Cabarita Park, Concord Phone 9736 1666
squadronboatsales.com
Take monthly with water March 2003 27