Hull & Humber Skipper Piers Dudin shows Onesys the Ropes

On the 11th September, just two days before the start of the epic 10-month, 35,000-mile 2009-10 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, Onesys Marketing Manager 'Flying Dutchman' Gil van der Sluis met with skipper Piers Dudin and some of the crew of the 68-foot Hull & Humber ocean racing yacht at the Kingston on Hull Marina.

After a business meeting addressed by the Archbishop of York Dr John Sentamu, Mark Robson, International Trade Director - Yorkshire & Humber UK Trade & Investment and Piers Dudin, skipper of Hull & Humber, which is representing the Yorkshire Humber region and England in the 09-10 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race, our Marketing Manager was invited by Piers Dudin to visit Hull and Humber and meet some of her crew.

The business meeting re-emphasised the need for corporate and social responsibility, as this is the only way to build a sustainable business model and society. The last 12 months have created very strong bonds between companies and people, as everyone has realised that challenges can only be overcome by working together and by going the extra mile.

Piers Dudin (31), skipper of Hull & Humber, explained that although most of the novice crew paid to race around the world, an opportunity was given to several less fortunate teenagers, (called One Hull Ambassadors) to join the crew, in order for them to improve their chances in life. Piers thanked all the companies that are supporting Hull and Humber and her crew.

Above deck Hull and Humber looks like a piece of art, although a very functional one. Below deck she is more like a war-time submarine with the odd beam of light coming in from above. Every inch has been taken up by crucial equipment and there is no room for unnecessary luxuries. It is a tough work environment with a novice crew and an experienced skipper who has to create a winning team more or less from scratch

Imagine your office swinging violently in the middle of the Gulf of Biscay, whilst you are trying to complete an important client project with an inexperienced team. Walking out for a quick pint at the pub on the corner is just not an option for Piers. Despite this, Piers and the Hull & Humber crew were keen to get on with the job.

We wished them luck on the safe completion of their circumnavigation.

You can follow the progress of Hull & Humber here - 09-10 Clipper Round the World Yacht Race

To see if we can help you with your business challenges, contact our crew on 0845 026 2255 or Email

York 14th September 2009

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