Royal Bermuda Yacht Club elects Peter Shrubb as Commodore

by Talbot Wilson on 26 Nov 2009 S. Peter Shrubb was elected Commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club at the Special General Membership meeting November 25th at the Hamilton clubhouse. Shrubb, a 30 year member of the Club and an International Judge, International Umpire and member of the Umpire team for the 32nd America’s Cup in Valencia will take the helm of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club for the next two-year term, 2010 through 2012.

Serving as Flag Officers with Shrubb will be Jonathan Brewin who will rise from Rear commodore to Vice Commodore and new Rear Commodores Somers W. Kempe and Scott King. Continuing in their offices are Andrew Burnett-Herkes, Honorary Secsecretary and Paul B. Hubbard, RBYC Treasurer.

'The members of the RBYC,' said the present Commodore Ralph Richardson, 'are proud to have a man of Peter Shrubb’s stature, as a sailor, an international race official and a businessman, to serve as our next Commodore. Peter will have an exciting time as Commodore during the 47th Newport Bermuda Race and during our other signature events, the Bacardi International Invitational Race Week and the Argo Group Gold Cup and in managing the improvements to the Club and our sailing programme during his tenure. I wish him all of the best during his term of service.'

Following the general membership meeting, Shrubb commented on the election. 'Being elected Commodore of the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club gives me the opportunity to build on the importance of sailing for all Bermudians and for all the many sailors who cruise and race here. I will continue to stress the development of our junior sailing programmes and our role in international competition. It is an honour to have the support of the RBYC membership.'

'I would like to commend the hard work and efforts of our outgoing Commodore, Ralph Richardson, who has set a high standard for me to follow after a very successful term in office.'

'I’ve been involved with RBYC and sailing for many years, serving once before as an officer. Now I’m happy to continue my service to RBYC. I think that being a Royal Bermuda Yacht Club Commodore will be a wonderful opportunity.' Shrubb said. 'I’m looking forward to the challenge with the support of a long line of distinguished past Commodores and my fellow Flag Officers.'

Vice Commodore Jonathan Brewin rises from Rear Commodore of Sailing to second in command as Vice Commodore. He is President of the HWP Group. Having developed a passion for offshore cruising and racing over the past 35 years, Brewin can be seen in the locally raced J105 'Not Mine' or sailing offshore on his J160 'Big Bear'.

The new Rear Commodore of Sailing Somers Kempe follows many other Kempe family members who have served the RBYC well. Somers is a Software Engineer at Nephila Capital Ltd. A long-timer member of the RBYC, his sailing exploits include everything from ocean racing to one design sailing. He is currently the champion skipper of the RBYC fitted dinghy, 'Contest'.

The other new Rear Commodore, managing the house, is Scott King. King is currently the Manager of Human Resources for Lines Overseas Management Limited. His sailing experience ranges from freighters to Antarctica to the America's Cup with frequent stops on Bermuda's Wednesday night series.

About the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club
The Royal Bermuda Yacht Club is a private Club and is the third oldest club holding a Royal Warrant outside the British Isles. The Bermuda Yacht Club was established on the 1st November, 1844 by a party of thirty gentlemen, consisting largely of officers in the British Army, most of them belonging to the 20th Regiment, then stationed here in Bermuda. There are now approximately 850 resident and non-resident members.

Early in 1845, at the invitation of the Bermuda Yacht Club's Commodore, Lord Mark Kerr, the Prince HRH Prince Albert, the first Duke of Edinburgh, graciously consented to become Patron of the Club. His Royal Highness, Prince Albert gave permission for the Bermuda Yacht Club to style themselves the Royal Bermuda Yacht Club.