Q. What did you do before you become a Pirate?

A. I gained a 1st class honours degree in Community Music / Music Technology at the Liverpool Institute for Performing Arts (LIPA) in 2000.  After returning from an African adventure I worked at the School of Sound Recording before embarking on a teaching career spanning 15 years within Schools & Colleges.  During this time I also gained my PGCE and various other qualifications.

Q. Why did you give up teaching?

A. I wanted to be free to follow my dreams and travel the world, so I became Self employed and set up a business to try to fund my lifestyle while on the move.

Q. How do you earn money?

A. I trade as The Pirate Boat selling nautical themed gifts & Ice Creams where ever I moor the boat. I also have a badge making business & Etsy shop aboard my Narrowboat.  Occasionally during the winter I seek part-time work to help with the living costs as it’s more expensive to live off grid during these cold, dark months.  During this time there is not much sun on the solar panels so I need to fuel my engine / generator for power in addition to adding the extra costs of heating the boat.

Q. How long have you owned your boat?

A. I’ve only just got the Jolly Roger but I’ve had The Rum Wench since 2016, She was my 3rd boat and I have lived aboard boats since 2010.

Q. Do you still own a house?

A. No, I had to sell it and everything in it to buy my boat.

Q. Are you married?

A. No

Q. Where do you get the music for your videos?

A. I produce a lot of my own sounds and music for the vlogs.  My tracks are available on Bandcamp.  I don’t have a CD writer so I am unable to post CDs unfortunately.  It’s takes a long time to make music so when I don’t have a track that is suitable I pay to use www.epidemicsound.com

Q. What video editing software do you use?  

A.  My first 47 videos were made in iMovie (free on all apple devices).  I have since upgraded to Final Cut Pro and love it.

Q. I want to visit you, is your location the same as where you are on your videos?

A. No, as I’ve often cruised to another location by the time I have edited and uploaded the current video.  I do post my trading locations on social media though, so feel free to follow on there.  Please remember I do still work full time so unless I’m trading as the Pirate Boat at an event, then I may not have the time to chat unfortunately.

Q. Do you only drink Rum? 

A.  No, I drink everything!

Q. Do you drink every day?

A. These videos are my weekly adventures condensed into 10-15 minutes.   My boat is called The Jolly Roger, My business is called The Pirate Boat and my YouTube channel is called The Narrowboat Pirate.  Pirates and Rum go together like Peas and Carrots.   I’m sure no other Pirate would sit down at the end of a long cruise chatting to the camera – drinking sparkling water and eating a salad!