OBITUARY
MARTY HORSFALL 1957 – 2012
MARITIME TUTOR, SKIPPER AND ALL ROUND GOOD BLOKE
BY DAVID COOPER O
n March 26 the Auckland maritime industry lost a well known and well loved character when Martin Horsfall, known as "Marty" to most, passed away at his home after a short battle with cancer. Marty was a maritime tutor at Mahurangi
Technical Institute in Warkworth for many years, teaching a wide range of subjects. He was also a skipper of ferries, charter vessels and water taxis in the area, and known for his work on oyster farms. His boat Pug was a common sight at Sandspit and the distinctive 'putt...putt' sound responsible for the boat's name was sure to be accompanied by gales of laughter and general sounds of merriment. He was a "to know him is to love him" type
of character with a well formed sense of humour that impressed students and workmates alike. Many an MTI staff member remembers being regaled at various wharves, boatyards and
Marty Horsfall
industry events by some ex-student with the question 'how is that b.....d Marty?', followed by various tales of hilarity and more importantly, lessons well learned under his tutelage. So keen on the sea was Marty that in 1989 he enrolled on what was then New Zealand's only fish farming qualification solely to gain the maritime seamanship qualification that was embedded in the programme. Upon qualifying he was employed by MTI, a relationship that continued off and on for over 20 years. When not engaged in sea stuff, Marty was often to be found helping out at the Kelston Deaf Education Centre were his wife Sue works. He became a proficient signer and if the sign language tributes at his funeral are anything to
go by, he was as well loved there as he was in the maritime arena. Marty will be sorely missed by all who worked, studied, fished and sailed with him.
VIP
IP.S88
July/August 2012 Professional Skipper 7
