From Super Yachts to Super Sea Tow W hen former theatrical agent Cluny Morton married her yachting mad boyfriend Matt in the Blue Mountains she had no idea that within a year she would be head chef on a $5 million yacht cruising the Bahamas and catering for the new Sandra Bullock and Hugh Grant movie Two Weeks Notice. “We knew the Super Yacht industry was huge in Florida and I had an agent who was adamant she could get us these people are used to getting whatever they want, work together if we just turned up,” said Matt. “It took us a whenever they want it.” few weeks to find our feet but eventually we landed a dream job on a beautiful 108ft luxury yacht complete with a friendly Matt and Cluny encountered many famous faces during captain and great crew.” their 18 month stint on the super yacht Fearless. Cluny, however, had a few reservations. “Our boss, local businessman Gary Fears, knew everyone! “For one thing I couldn’t We were just one of five boats cook,” she said. “Or at least he entertained on. He was an “Hugh Grant was also very polite and I didn’t think I could. But there extremely wealthy and was very little choice at the generous man,” said Matt friendly but much quieter and seemed time. Our chef resigned at “The alcohol budget on our rather worried about the fumes from the boat alone exceeded the last minute and I, as Head engine which, as ship’s engineer, I Stewardess, stepped in and $US10,000 per month. catered for a two week charter Guests included actress assured him were not poisonous.” at the Atlantis Resort in the Angie Everhart, Andy Gibb Bahamas. It went so well the and Aerosmith lead singer captain gave me the job. It could be an incredibly stressful Steven Tyler. Bill Clinton was also a close friend.” position. When the guests holiday on the boat all they really But apart from the lavish Miami South Beach parties, want is great weather and great food. Sometimes the Fearless was a boat-for-hire. The legendary late Herb Ritts weather lets us down, and then all eyes turn to the chef and shot one of his last Vogue covers featuring super model Carmen Kass posing on the bow of the boat. John Travolta had also been a very popular guest on the boat. “His first charter with Fearless was before we had joined the crew but he had already booked a second trip,” said Cluny. “Unfortunately film commitments and bad weather prevented John from returning to the boat but I did get to plan a menu for him. He has a big appetite and loves nothing better than a BLT in the galley with the crew … preferably followed up by any kind of chocolate. One thing that surprised me was that he would not eat garlic. A restriction like that can be a real headache, especially for an inexperienced cook and although I was dying to meet John I was secretly relieved that I did not have to cook for him.” 26 / 17 Bowden St, Alexandria NSW 2015 “Then the call came from Sandra Bullock’s Production Tel: 02 9319 5222 Company and within days we were steaming up the coast Email: [email protected] from Fort Lauderdale, Florida to Manhattan Island, New NANNI DIESEL AUSTRALIA 26 AFLOAT.com.au March 2003 the open sea without power. Our message is to get people York,” laughed Matt. “They used the back deck for a two home safely to their dock or a place of repair. minute scene involving Hugh and Sandra. Although the props department changed the look of the boat so much we “In America Sea Tow have over 80 Franchises and wondered why they hadn’t thought of building their own.” membership will top 250,000 by the end of the year. Boating anywhere in the world is an expensive business and anything “The shoot was a 30-hour day and absolutely exhausting,” that helps minimise the associated costs of running a boat continued Cluny. “I had to prepare the meals for the dinnermust be a bonus. In the States, Sea Tow members are for-two scene but you need endless identical plates of food entitled to reduced insurance to cover an entire night’s premiums as Sea Tow shooting. It was a long time … we were all star struck by Sandra operations have before I could look at tuna or Bullock … She has a terrific personality, dramatically reduced the prawns again and I’m sure incidence of major damage Hugh and Sandra felt the extremely thoughtful and friendly but requiring repair claims. same.” obviously a woman very much in control “We must stress that we Coming from a theatrical of her own destiny,”… are not a ‘Search and family, her mother is actress Rescue’ organisation. And Barbara Morton, and as we are not competing with former agent to Lisa McCune the Volunteer Coast Guard or Water Police – rather we hope and William McInnes amongst others, Cluny was used to to complement their services by freeing them up for the dealing with actors. emergency situations. We believe we can all work together “However, we were all star struck by Sandra Bullock in to ensure our precious leisure time on the water is as safe as particular. She has a terrific personality, extremely thoughtful possible.” and friendly but obviously a woman very much in control of The first Sea Tow office in Australia is based out of her own destiny,” Matt said. “Hugh Grant was also very Gladesville Bridge Marina in Drummoyne. polite and friendly but much quieter and seemed rather worried about the fumes from the engine which, as ship’s “We hope to open franchises in Port Hacking, Pittwater engineer, I assured him were not poisonous.” and Botany Bay as soon as possible to increase membership benefits,” said Cluny. Soon it won’t matter where you are, The long hours paid off when Matt and Cluny met up with you will be covered by the Sea Tow skipper in that area.” the American founders of Sea Tow International. For information about Sea Tow memberships call Matt “We wanted to use our savings to build a business in or Cluny Cummings on 02 9181 3777. Australia,” Matt said. “And this seemed perfect. Sydney Harbour is basically my office! I’ve grown up around boats whether as deckhand, skipper or engineer, I’m happiest on the water and I love helping people out of sticky situations. Cluny can use her marketing and office skills and she doesn’t have to cook, at least not for 30 people at a time! Sea Tow Sydney is set up to provide Sydney with an assistance programme on the water. ABOUT BUYING OR SELLING “Sort of like an NRMA on the water,” said Matt. “We YOUR BOAT? researched the idea while still in the States and were amazed We are..! to find there was nothing like this already in Australia. It is just such a great concept. For a low annual fee boaters are Professional Boat Brokerage on entitled to 24 hour assistance, free towing, free petrol drops, Sydney Harbour free propeller disentanglement and free battery jump starts. We can also sell and install a new battery on the water. Further offices on the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Adelaide & Perth “It takes all the worry out of boating as there are few With offices Australia wide we offer over twenty sales places we can feel more vulnerable than bobbing around in staff promoting your boat or finding the boat of your dreams. Comprehensive services are offered to buyers and sellers, including inspection reports, slipping services, berthing, boat handling instruction, insurance, finance, national coverage and sound advice. SERIOUS Ferguson's Boatshed Marina, 83 Parriwi Road, The Spit, Mosman Phone: 9960 6399 Westport Marina, Cabarita Road, Cabarita Park, Concord Phone 9736 1666 squadronboatsales.com Take monthly with water March 2003 27