Growing up on an island, every passing boat was a lesson in design and engineering for Tyler Ratcliff!
Tyler has loved boats for as long as he can remember. Living on an island in Sydney’s Pittwater, sailing was not just a hobby; it was a way of life.
“I’ve been surrounded by boats my whole life through sailing events, I even took a ferry to school. My grandpa has done over 50 Sydney to Hobart yacht races, so I definitely grew up in a sailing family,” he explains.
As a child, Tyler and his dad would discuss the design features of passing boats and why they worked or didn’t. “In Year 8, I remember watching the America’s Cup on TV and was fascinated by the commentary about the yacht design. That’s what really got me into fast yachts.”
With a deep connection to the sea and an interest in maths and science, Tyler knew he’d found his calling. He chose to study maritime engineering at the Australian Maritime College, specialising in naval architecture. He’s now in his fourth year and charting a path towards a promising career.
Learning the ropes
A real highlight for Tyler has been gaining hands-on skills, both as a waterproofing apprentice in his gap year and as an intern with Incat Crowther, an Australian marine engineering company.
“The skills you develop by working in the industry are so useful,” he says. “Some uni assignments are practical, including one big building project a year where we design and build working in teams, so I really value those skills.”
Tyler’s dream career is to help design a boat for the America’s Cup.
“I like how the design changes each year and how teams manufacture solutions. Watching as a kid, I decided I wanted to be on a winning team!”
Tyler’s pathway to becoming a boat designer
- Gap year, labour work and waterproofing apprenticeship
- Intern, Incat Crowther
- Bachelor of Maritime Engineering (Specialisation) (Honours), Australian Maritime College, University of Tasmania
This article first appeared in Careers with STEM: Engineering 2024.
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