About Us

Sam Wake, Marg Chambers, Topsy Toner, Lynda Wake, Kirsten Chambers		Paimpol’s Chant du Marin Festival, August 2005

Clive (Topsy) Toner, Skipper

Topsy is Ruth’s Skipper. Topsy plays mandola, mandolin and banjo in folk band Arish Mell, so there is always the chance for music and singing aboard, especially fun at the maritime festivals. He joined the Royal Navy in 1961 and discharged as a Chief Petty Officer in 1986. During that period Topsy completed the 1977/78 Whitbread Round the World Yacht Race and the Fastnet Races in HMSTY RACER and CONDOR of BERMUDA. After leaving the Royal Navy Topsy owned and skippered a sea angling and diving vessel, working out of Weymouth. Following that, he joined the Training Vessel ‘Astrid’ as Chief Officer, and subsequently Master. In 1997, Topsy became Master of 'Julia Af Faaborg' and sailing vessel 'Grand Turk' for the TV film series 'Hornblower', and then Master of sailing vessels 'Phoenix', 'Earl of Pembroke', and 'Silvery Light', in the following year. Topsy is currently restoring a 50' 1964 French Trawler to cruise and live aboard.

Samuel Wake, First Mate

Sam is First Mate aboard Ruth. Sam graduated from Warsash School of Maritime Studies with a BSc (Hons) Maritime Studies in 1996. Following 8 years in the London Fire Brigade as an operational Firefighter Sam now works full time on the ship. His main role is organising the crew on deck and helping less adventurous types to the top of the main mast.

Kirsten Chambers, Second Mate

Kirsten is Second Mate on Ruth, and has now completed over 4,000 miles aboard. Her main role aboard is as one of the Watch Leaders, which will include teaching passengers all about Ruth from the names of the different sails to the history of the ship. Her main area of interest on board is wildlife watching and she always enjoys swimming from the ship.

Lynda Wake, Cook

Lynda is the Cook aboard Ruth. Lynda ran a successful seafood restaurant in Weymouth which means that the quality of food aboard is fantastic. She is always the one to encourage jumping ship for a swim. Lynda is also a qualified SEN nurse and child care social worker, which means she is well qualified for the work which we do with young people. She is currently a volunteer, fund raising for Breakthrough Breast Cancer, and Chairman of the Cornwall Breakthrough Breast Cancer group.

Marg Chambers, Cook

Marg is also Cook aboard Ruth, preparing a lot of the homecooked food for each trip and joining the ship for voyages whenever possible.

Sharon Robinson, Bookings

Sharon looks after bookings, enquiries and administration, so there is always someone available to provide information about trips and answer your questions when the crew are at sea.