Dale Acton

Unsurprisingly for someone born in Guernsey, Seascape’s founder and principal Dale Acton has had a lifelong passion and enthusiasm for all things boating and he is definitely at his happiest when out on the water and enjoying the elements come rain or shine.

After twenty two years in Guernsey's finance industry, most of it spent with Ravenscroft Limited where he was one of the founding members of the business and headed the Group's Trading and Market Making offerings, Dale decided in 2020 to follow his heart and embrace an entirely new challenge by establishing a bespoke marine services business.

Dale has his parents to thank for first introducing him to the joys of being on the sea after the family purchased a Mirror dinghy. Rather aptly called “Get a Grip”, the lovingly cared for dinghy provided much entertainment for the Acton family and, it should be said, any observers of their sailing attempts!

Following on from the family dinghy, Dale progressed onto single-handed sailing before regularly crewing on a Guernsey based Swan yacht competing in the various Guernsey Sailing Club and Royal Channel Islands Yacht Club racing series and regattas.

Wanting to push himself far out of his comfort zone, Dale applied to compete in the Clipper 2013-2014 Round the World Yacht Race and was selected to be a crew member on the “GREAT Britain” entry. During this experience, he raced approximately 16,000 nautical miles from London to Brisbane which included crossing both the North and South Atlantic Oceans, experiencing the Southern Ocean’s “roaring forties” and completing the legendary Sydney to Hobart annual yacht race.

Dale was nominated as Watch Leader for approximately 4,000 nautical miles. In addition, based on his previous sailing experience, interview and personality, he was selected by the race organisers to undertake additional training to be one of the yacht’s Coxswains should the professional skipper have become incapacitated.

“GREAT Britain” finished the campaign in second place out of twelve competing yachts.

Always fond of speed, Dale purchased a 6.5mtr RIB as his first boat and it was christened “Hei Matau”. This is the name of the New Zealand Maori cultural fishhook which is believed to give good luck and safe passage over water.

After many years exploring on the RIB, Dale purchased a larger 9.0mtr motorboat to broaden horizons and enable longer trips. Continuing the New Zealand theme, this boat was named “Mawhiti” which is the Maori word for escape. Boating has always been an escape for Dale and this mindset directly led to the creation and launch of Seascape.

As part of Dale’s commitment to always being qualified, proficient and safe when at sea for leisure, he has continually studied over the years ensuring that his leisure boating certifications matched his practical experience.

Now operating in a professional capacity, Dale achieved and holds the following highly regarded and worldwide recognised qualifications:

RYA Yachtmaster Offshore Motor Certificate of Competence (commercially endorsed)
MCA Approved Engine Course 1
MCA Approved Engine Course 2
RYA Advanced Powerboat Instructor
RYA Personal Watercraft Instructor
RYA Powerboat Advanced (day and night)
RYA/MCA Maritime Radio Operator Certificate (Short Range)
RYA Radar
RYA/MCA Basic Sea Survival
STCW* Basic Safety Training
*Standards of Training, Certification, and Watchkeeping as enforced by the International Maritime Organisation