Marine Industry Insurance Stalwart Retires
Ray Fisher, a man who has spent his entire working life in the marine industry in insurance, has called it a day and bowed out to enjoy retirement. As the state manager for Nautilus Marine in Western Australia, Ray Fisher enters retirement with no regrets and a wealth of fond memories.
Ray Fisher began his insurance career in 1963 with a Lloyds of London Broker, the very nerve centre of the insurance world. Beginning right at the bottom of the corporate ladder, Ray soon came to realise that he was in fact quite privileged to be able to work at Lloyds.
“Ultimately I moved to the underwriting room and got to work with the underwriters and see firsthand how this industry operates,” Ray reflected.
In 1972 Ray arrived in Australia and travelled for a year before landing a job with an insurance broker in Sydney. This firm specialised in insuring commercial fishing boats, marine cargo and to a lesser extent, pleasure craft.
Ray must have created quite an impression as he was head hunted by Marine Hull who were establishing a branch office in Perth. So in 1978 Ray packed his bags and headed west, running the branch office for the next 27 years.
Then in 2006 Ray made a further career move when he accepted the position of branch manager for the fledging Nautilus Marine boat insurance company.
“We were setting up a branch office in WA and decided that we wanted to recruit the best in the business,” said Mark Crockford, National Marketing Manager of Nautilus Marine. “We were delighted when Ray accepted our overtures and became our WA branch manager.”
“Ray’s exceptional industry knowledge and wonderful experience has been a major benefit to our customers and policy holders in the West.”
In a career spanning almost a half a decade, Ray Fisher has seen more changes and innovations than most.
“Without question there have been three key changes in marine insurance,” Ray said.
“Insurance rates have dropped considerably while conversely the cover has improved markedly. The third big change has been computerisation of the industry. When I began, every policy was a typed document generated by the typing pool. Now policies can be purchased online, and instantly.”
Through his career Ray has also assisted many policy holders with their claims, often having to deal with tragic situations involving the loss of property. There are two marine claims that Ray was involved with which remain with him to this day.
One was the loss of the Patanela, a WA based steel boat which literally vanished off the ocean as it was about to enter Botany Bay at the end of a delivery voyage.
“This boat just vanished. There was no mayday, no flares nor any signs indicating a sense of distress. The boat was sighted by its lights from the coast, then vanished without a trace. Seven months later a rescue ring was washed up on the beach, but apart from this the disappearance of the Patanela remains a complete mystery.”
Just as bizarre was the disappearance of a boat off a swing mooring at Busselton. Initially it was thought that the boat might have been stolen or even broken from its mooring. The currents indicated that the boat should have gone north, but there was absolutely no sign of her.
“Eventually the mystery was solved when the Austral Endeavour found the boat drifting in the Antarctic.”
Ray Fisher leaves the marine insurance industry with mixed emotions. He openly admits that he has loved his work and made many, many friends during his time. He expressed his thanks to each and every one of them in both the boating and insurance industries.
“I’m handing over the reins at Nautilus Marine to Steve Bradmore,” Ray said.
“My parting advice to Steve is to continue to give good, personal service and work to further build the excellent reputation of the Nautilus Marine brand. Steve is a good operator and I’m sure that our policy holders, boat dealer distributors and brokers are in great hands.”
With over 125 years of marine insurance expertise between the senior Nautilus Marine executives, Nautilus Marine is absolutely committed to providing high levels of customer service, backed by local knowledge.
Nautilus Marine Insurance Agency (ABN 34 100 633 038 AFSL 227186) is a wholly Australian owned insurance agency that provides insurance programs for boat owners and for the marine industry, underwritten by Wesfamers General Insurance Limited trading as Lumley Insurance (ABN 24 000 036 279 AFSL 241461). Nautilus Marine has offices throughout Australia.
For further information on this story contact:
Mark Crockford
Nautilus Marine
28 – 32 George Street
Sandringham. Vic 3191
Ph: (03) 8599 5000
Toll free 1300 780 533
Email: markc@nautilusinsurance.com.au
Web: www.nautilusinsurance.com.au
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