|

Very experienced captains and crew are available for inland or international waters.
Owner - Istvan
Kopar
In
addition to being an experienced merchant mariner,
skilled sailor and instructor, Istvan has achieved several “Blue
water” accomplishments. He was the founder and
captain of the fastest team and race boat in the Hong
Kong Challenge Round the World sailboat race (1996-97).
However, his greatest personal and professional challenge
was his one stop, solo circumnavigation via the five
Southernmost capes, without any outside aid in 1990-91.He
authored the book –Challenge- the story of this
one year long adventure and recorded it in a film,
also. He has been working on its US edition/publishing
after
the successful European one.
In the business arena, Istvan
(as second generation) has 30-plus years of professional
experience as naval officer, marina-charter operator,
sailing racer and instructor. He ran his own marina/charter
operation and sailing school in Europe. He was one of the operational managers of the biggest
vessel recovery company in the USA, from 2000 to April 2010..
Additionally, teaches at Sea School, Ft. Lauderdale and instructor
trainer for US Sailing.
Istvan holds a Bachelor’s
Degree in Science of Marine Transportation from the Technical
University of Budapest, and a Science of Economics/Foreign
Trade (College for Foreign Trade, at Budapest). He is
USCG licensed commercial captain with several endorsements
and US Sailing licensed instructor trainer. Istvan is
world traveled (100-plus countries) fluent in English
and his native Hungarian. He is married with two children
and currently lives in Boca Raton, South Florida.
click
on image for larger view
Third generations in marine adventures.
Family Yacht, 1935 Lake Balaton, Hungary
|
Qualifications
for Operations/Boating/Shipping
PROFESSIONAL SUMMARY
Innovative problem solver
with a unique combination of leadership, analytical,
creative and interpersonal skills. Hands-on, highly participative
with the ability to operate effectively in a variety
of business areas. Second-generation expert in shipping/boating.
AREAS OF EXPERTISE
- Commercial Shipping
- Leisure Boating
- Marina/Club Operation
- Boat Building & Service
- Foreign Trade
- International Relations
- Product & Service Marketing
- Crew Management/Training
PROFESSIONAL HISTORY
Single-handedly
performed one-stop circumnavigation from/to Gibraltar
via the five Southernmost Capes commencing July 28,
1990 and finishing on May 14, 1991. The voyage was
completed without touching land and without any form
of outside aid apart from radio contact. He is the
first Hungarian solo circumnavigator, the first one
with one stop and achieved a world record for speed
(as for the size of the boat).
In addition, also took part in Genoa and Seville Expo in 1992 and won
second place in America 500 Columbus Race (first Hungarian in an Atlantic-crossing
race).
In 1993, he crossed the Atlantic Ocean solo, again covering the leg
between Miami-Horta /Azores (3,000 NM) within 20 days, only (31’ sloop).
During his longest boat delivery- in 1995- he sailed solo the US “Sealestial” from
Durban (S.Africa) to Savannah (Georgia) – passed Cape of Good
Hope Westbound - within 65 days with one stop. He won the “Kapry’s
Trophy” in the ARC ’95 (Atlantic Crossing Rally) in the
same year.
1996-97, in the Hong Kong Challenge Round the World Race he won the
Sir Edward Heath Trophy and the Financial Times Clipper Trophy as the
fastest circumnavigator. He is the first and to present the only Hungarian
sailor who organized/captained Hungarian syndicate/team in a Round
the World Race and won one.
Globe Discovery
U.S.A. Inc. Boca Raton, FL 1994 - present
President/Owner-Marine
operations: vessel delivery (sail & power),
instruction/training, charter/crewing, boat
service/maintenance, special projects.
National Liquidators-Maritech
Services Ft. Lauderdale, 2000 - April 2010.
Service-yard
manager -Boat and ship repair, maintenance,
marina/boat yard operation, recovery, delivery. Controlling
and supervising the service/yard operation of the
largest vessel recovery company in the US.
US Sailing-Sea
School Newport, RI, Ft. Lauderdale,
FL 2000 to present
Instructor
trainer-instructor -sail boat instructor
trainer and powerboat instructor at US Sailing and
instructor at Sea School (Ocean and Coastwise Educational)
click
on images for larger view
Derecktor-Gunnell Inc.Dania,
FL. 1998-2000
Rigger-skipper marina & boat
yard operation, hauling/launching, tug boat & crane
operation, sailboat service, repair and building.
Globe Discovery
USA, Inc. Boca Raton, FL 1994-1998
Managing
Director -Skipper-Delivery Captain
Boat delivery, boat charter, offshore racing, boat care, instruction.
Globe Discovery
Hungary, Ltd. Budapest-Hungary 1996-97
Managing
Director-Captain
Responsible for fund raising, PR-media work, operation on board during
one year long Round the World Race as skipper of 14 crew, media-sponsor
follow-up (film making).
Mahart-Salammbo
Yacht Club Ltd. Balatonalmadi, Hungary 1987-1994
Managing
Director -Responsible for start-up operation,
managing complete marina service, sailing school,
charter fleet, boat building/repair, supervision
of a staff of seven.
Mahart-Balaton
Shipping Ltd. Siofok-Hungary, 1984-1987
Harbor
Master –Responsible for supervision of technical
staff and a new product management.
Mahart-Hungarian
Shipping Company Budapest-Hungary, 1971-1984
Third
mate, Wireless operator, Purser-responsible for operation
on-board ship, deckhand operations, navigation & communication,
management of ship and crew supplies.
ACADEMIC
CREDENTIALS
- Bachelor
of Science Maritime Studies
- Bachelor
of Science Economics/Foreign Trade
- Budapest
Technical University, Budapest Hungary
Nautical College at Faculty of Transportation Engineering
- College
for Foreign Trade, Budapest Hungary
PROFESSIONAL EDUCATION
- USCG
Master License-200 US/500 INT Ton with Endorsements
for Sailing, Commercial towing, Unlimited Radar, Marine
Radio Operator, AB Unlimited, Crew Synergy
- STCW,
TWIC, MMD & CPR/Firt Aid
- Radiotelegraph
Operator’s International Certificate
- US
Sailing Instructor Trainer, Powerboat & Keelboat
Instructor
- University
for Physical Education Sports Coach’s
Special Qualification for Sailing
ADDITIONAL
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
- Vice
President of Hungarian Boat Industry Association 1991-94
- Honorary
life member of Hungarian Yachting Association 1991-
- Member
of Hungarian Super Sport Club 1991-
- Nominee
for the Blue Water Medal of Cruising Club of America
in 1994
- Honorary
Member of British Chamber of Commerce in Hungary 1998
- Honored
Citizen of town Balatonalmadi 1998
- Member
of Madison Who’s Who 2007
ADDITIONAL
PROFESSIONAL ACTIVITIES
In
1990 he was received by the Lady Premier of
Western Australia during his first circumnavigation
(during the only stop, Perth).
On
August 3rd, 1992-500th Anniversary of Columbus’s
departure day- the Spanish King-His Majesty
Juan Carlos and Queen Sofia gave a private
audience for him.
In
Washington, Carla Hills Trade Representative on
behalf of President George Bush received him on January
7th, 1993.
In
1997, he was awarded the Sir Edward Heath Trophy for
the fastest elapsed time circumnavigation and received
the trophy from Sir Edward.
Additionally,
the Hungarian President Arpad Goncz donated The
Order of Merit of the Hungarian Republic Middle
Cross (the highest civilian medal) to Istvan Kopar
for his professional achievements.
PERSONAL
Fluent in Hungarian/English.
USA Citizen, married with two children.
PICTURES OF UNIQUE ACHIEVEMENTS
- Single-handedly achieved world record one-stop
circumnavigation from/to Gibraltar via the five Southernmost
Capes (7/90-5/91)
- 2nd place in America 500 Columbus race (8/92-12/92)
click
on image for larger view
- Solo
delivery from Miami to Genoa (6/93-9/93)
- Solo delivery from
Durban to Savannah (2/95-4/95
- ARC ’95 Atlantic–Crossing
Rally Kapry’s
Trophy (10/95–12/95)
- Fastest Circumnavigator in Hong
Kong Challenge (10/96-9/97)
|
|
|