Michael R. Elton

Certificate IV - Small Craft Surveying

Trade Qualified Shipwright & Boat builder

Michael Elton has conducted surveys on both private and commercial vessels since 1996. 

A qualified shipwright, marine surveyor and experienced ocean sailor, he has managed a successful shipwright repair & custom boat building business since 1991.

He grew up in Northern Ireland, learning to sail at a young age and raced 14’ dinghies throughout Ireland in the mid 70s.   In 1979, he purchased a carvel timber yacht that after four years in European waters, he sailed to Australia via the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. 

Immigrating to Australia in 1985, he completed a shipwright and boat building apprenticeship at Allcraft Boats, Sydney in 1989, and a post-trade course in aluminium welding and construction. 

Operating from a custom facility at Port Stephens since 1994, he has built a number of timber-composite vessels and operated from two waterfront repair facilities.  He has specialised in custom stainless steel fabrication, engine & running gear installations and timber yacht restorations.

Joint owner of a composite racing yacht (1999 to 2004) - he is currently an active member of a local sailing club, racing catamarans with his children on Port Stephens.

A part-time teacher at Newcastle TAFE - Boat & Shipbuilding since 2000, he both taught and qualified with Certificate IV in Small Craft Surveying in 2001.  Three shipwright apprentices have been indentured to him, all successfully gaining trade certification.

Combined experience in the repair, restoration and construction of power and sailing vessels over the last 20 years in Australia and prior to 1985 in Europe and the Middle East have provided the solid foundation for establishing E-Marine Surveyors in July 2004.

An Associate Member of the International Institute of Marine Surveying, he was also a founding member of the Shipwright & Boat builders Association of NSW in 1992. 

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