About us

Patricia Chant

Managing Director

Bachelor of Engineering 

Joining Ferriby Group as a Business Development Manager in 2009, Tricia progressed to become General Manager and Lead Auditor - Australia and assumed the role of Managing Director in 2014.

With over 15 years in maritime consulting, auditing, and training, Tricia holds qualifications as a lead auditor in quality, security, environmental, and maritime safety management systems, making her one of the few globally certified in all four areas.

Beginning her career in agricultural and environmental engineering, Tricia later served as the Chief Engineer on Hayman Island, where she met Ferriby Marine Founder, Captain Graham Botterill.

Focussed on ISO and ISM compliance, as well as other maritime codes, Tricia works alongside an expert and experienced team to deliver training courses, audits, and consulting services to international organisations of all sizes, face-to-face and online.

An organised and detail-orientated person, Tricia balances her role at Ferriby with her position as President of the Leyburn Sprints, and Chair of the Leyburn and District Progress Society. Amongst her other hobbies include racing her 1968 Ford Mustang, and spending time with her family and friends.

Steve Mullins

Technical Trainer & Auditor

Bringing over 30 years of experience in the Royal Australian Navy, where he served as a seaman officer and in various administrative and training roles, Steve Mullins joined the Ferriby team in 2013 as a Technical Trainer & Auditor.

Steve provides expertise in auditing and training to seafarers and staff, on board and ashore, in maritime quality, safety, security and environmental awareness.  His work includes safety management and security auditing in ships and offices across Australia, PNG, China, and Singapore.

Complementaryto the auditing, the training courses that Steve delivers are designed to give seafarers and staff ashore an understanding and interpretation of the relevant rules, regulations and standards that are the basis of their company’s Safety Management Systems and Security Plans. 

Outside of work, Steve enjoys cycling, travelling with his wife Julie, and spending time with family.

Max Walker

HSE Consultant

With more than 15 years in the marine industry, our HSE consultant, Max, has been with Ferriby Group since 2016. 

Drawing upon his expertise as a seafarer and specialist knowledge of integrated management systems, including ISO 9001, 14001, 45001, ISM Code and MOSS NZ Domestic Maritime Legislation, Max specialises in health and safety, ISPS shipping security codes, shipping audits, and training.

Max enjoys working with various government and non-government organisations across New Zealand, Australia, and our national and international offices, and he values the social aspects and travel of his role, growing strong relationships across the maritime industry. 

When not at work, you’ll find Max spending time with his young family, or playing 9 rounds of golf.

Phil Leaver

Specialist Auditor Consultant

Master of Business Administration (Maritime Management),  Grad Diploma in Business (Shipping), Diploma Applied Science (Nautical Science) 

Joining the Ferriby Group team in 2023 as a Specialist Auditor Consultant, Phil specialises in marine compliance safety and support for organisations across Australia and our international offices. 

With over 34 years of experience in the maritime industry, Phil brings a background as a seafarer, tug master, marine pilot, and safety manager to the team. He holds an unlimited master's certificate, served as Harbour Master for 11 ports in Tasmania, and was a marine surveyor for the Australian Maritime Safety Authority.

Phil’s expertise in compliance, safety management, port logistics, ISM, ISO 9001, ISO 14001 and ISO 45001 auditing ensures his client's methods and systems are compliant with international standards.

When not helping his clients in maintaining and increasing compliance, Phil can be found restoring old Holdens and spending time with his family.

Steve Barron

Lead Auditor, ISO & ISM

Master Mariner (Class 1, Unlimited), Diploma of Nautical Science, Diploma of Adult Education, Certificate IV in Government Statutory Investigation and Enforcement Aragon & Associates

Lead Auditor, ISO & ISM, Steve Barron, brings more than 40 years of experience in the maritime industry to the Ferriby Group team.

His expansive career on ships ranges from bulk carriers, oil tankers, passenger ferries and semi-submersibles. 

His onshore positions include private and government roles in health, safety, environment and quality (HSEQ), DPA/CSM/CSO, Harbour Master, Incident Controller, Principal Nautical Examiner and Australian Maritime College Senior Nautical Lecturer. 

Maintaining a focus on ISO and ISM compliance, Steve is responsible for delivering audits and consulting services to Ferriby Group’s vast clientele.

Away from work, Steve is also a passionate impressionist and abstract expressionist painter.

Wade Nagel

ISO & ISM Safety Management Consultant

Bachelor of Applied Science (Marine Engineering), International Diploma in Marine Surveying, Graduate Diploma in Asset Management

For more than 15 years, Wade Nagel has worked in various positions in the maritime industry, both on ships and onshore. 

With a background in marine surveying across domestic, commercial, and recreational vessels, as well as consultancy and marine asset management services, Wade brings extensive experience to the Ferriby Group team. 

Passionate about improving quality assurance practices in the marine industry, Wade provides practical solutions and expert technical advice to operators to ensure compliances are being met with best practices and cost-effective outcomes.

An outdoorsy person by nature, you can find Wade camping with his family, riding motorbikes, or fishing and waterskiing when not at work.

Sacha Ignatenko

Health, Safety, Environment & Quality Consultant

Bachelor of Business Information Systems, Master of Business Administration

A Master’s qualified HSEQ consultant, with over a decade of HSEQ managerial experience within oil and gas, mining, construction, and maritime industries, Sacha has a proven track record of developing and implementing high-level HSEQ management systems for global-sized companies.

To ensure maritime organisations and port operators meet compliance requirements with ISO, ISM, NSCV, and MLC standards, he conducts in-depth audits and can advise on/develop processes that optimise operational performance and compliance.

Maintaining an active lifestyle, Sacha can be found at the gym, attending yoga classes, or playing golf with friends.