This year marks Nautilus Marine Insurance’s 20th anniversary. We met with some of our valued customers during Hamilton Island Race Week to share some of their stories and thank them for their continuing support.
Mike Steel 
Mike is the Commodore of Townsville Yacht Club and the owner and skipper of Boudica, an Elan E5 which he brought to Hamilton Island for the first time this year. Although new to the regatta with this boat, he has previously raced at Hamilton Island with two other yachts.
“I sit as Event Chairman of SeaLink Magnetic Island Race Week and have been involved in almost every edition of that regatta since its inception,” says Mike. “This was my fourth Hamilton Island Race Week. The convenience of everything being together here is a big drawcard, and the sailing conditions are always a challenge compared to what we experience at home. You learn a lot here and meet a lot of good people.”
Mike’s Race Week crew this year included friends from Sydney and locals from Townsville. He has relied on Nautilus Marine Insurance for over a decade. “I have been with Nautilus Marine for about 12 years,” says Mike. “I had one claim after bumping the bottom and they helped me repair the boat really well. They looked after me.”
Andrew Bruce
Andrew Bruce and his co-owner Andrew Gibbs have been sailing their catamaran Fruition since 2012. Based out of the Royal Queensland Yacht Squadron, the crew made the 12-day cruise north to compete in Race Week. “This was our fourth Hamilton Island Race Week in a row. We love it,” Andrew says.
On the way up this year, Fruition struck a whale about 15 miles south of Hamilton Island, causing significant damage to the port keel. “It was very unfortunate, but Nautilus Marine Insurance responded quickly and helped us get everything sorted so we could still enjoy the regatta,” Andrew explains. Andrew has covered his yacht with Nautilus Marine for six years and says the experience has always been positive. “They have been great to deal with and really supportive,” says Andrew. “That makes a big difference when something unexpected happens.”
Kevin Lord
Kevin has owned his Seawind 1160 catamaran Vivacious for eight years. Based in Yeppoon, Kevin sails with the Capricornia Cruising Yacht Club and races every second week. Each year, he and his crew make the trip north to Hamilton Island, with 2025 marking their eighth Race Week.
Before purchasing Vivacious, Kevin and his family enjoyed six years with their previous yacht, Overture. Kevin’s vessels have been covered by Nautilus Marine throughout. “We had a claim on a rudder after unfortunately hitting a rock with our old boat,” Kevin recalls. “We have been very pleased with Nautilus Marine Insurance when we have had to make claims. Everything has always been handled very well.”
Rod Caldwell
This year marked Rod’s second Hamilton Island Race Week onboard Arietta, a Jeanneau Sun Odyssey 379 which he sold to a new owner during Race Week. “We have been with Nautilus Marine happily for five years and they have been fantastic to be with,” says Rod. “We just bought a new boat and of course we went straight to Nautilus Marine to cover that as well,” he explains. Over the years Rod has made a small claim and says it was handled with care. “Nautilus Marine were particularly helpful and really looked after us. We would not be with anyone else.”
Greg Sills
Greg has owned his Riviera 53 Strike Zone, which is located on Hamilton Island, for a decade, and for all that time he has trusted Nautilus Marine Insurance. “I have been with Nautilus Marine for 10 years,” Greg says. “Back in March 2017, when the cyclone came through, my boat suffered a fair bit of damage. I had to take it down to the Gold Coast for repairs and the bill was around $200,000.”
Despite the scale of the damage, Greg says the process was straightforward. “Nautilus Marine Insurance were fantastic. They did whatever was needed and made it all very easy.” Greg was so happy with the service that he recommended Nautilus Marine to others. “I introduced my mate Bruce who was with another insurance provider and now he is with Nautilus Marine too,” he says.
Bruce Fish
Bruce moors his boat Paradise on Hamilton Island and says switching to Nautilus Marine Insurance was a great decision. “I was with another insurance provider and Greg [Sills] put me in touch with Nautilus Marine,” says Bruce. “It was the happiest thing I ever did and the service has been absolutely fantastic.” With the move paying off, Bruce says he plans to stay with Nautilus Marine well into the future. “I am looking forward to continuing to support Nautilus Marine,” he says.
PHOTOGRAPHY BY SALTY DINGO COURTESY OF HAMILTON ISLAND.
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