McGruer & Co Ltd : Fraser Noble ...
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Fraser has lived and breathed boats all his life and has 30 years of yacht and boat surveying experience. He has examined boats for repair or refit since 1974, surveyed his first yacht for a fee in 1981 and been principal surveyor for McGruer & Co since 2000.
Growing up in a family boatyard taught Fraser skills of wooden boat building and hollow spar making. School at Fettes College was followed by a Boatyard Management Course in Southampton and 10 years as Project Manager running repair, refit and new build of traditional and cold moulded wooden boats, pilot and patrol craft, workboats and GRP sailboats.
In 1985 Fraser joined Hampshire GRP boatbuilder Halmatic, to run joint venture company Osborne Rescue Boats Ltd, leaders in design and production of offshore RIBs for military and rescue operators worldwide. These boats were 22 to 38 feet long, self righting by air bag or wheelhouse buoyancy and propelled by high power outboards or inboard diesels with drive legs, shafts and props or water jets and able to operate in the most severe of conditions.
Approached by FBM Marine in 1990 Fraser moved to the Isle of Wight to manage the design and build of pilot, passenger and military craft and work with a team producing fast monohull and catamaran ferries in aluminium and Fibre Composite to Dept. of Transport and Classification Society Rules. Output here included 23m FRC Thames catamarans, 32m Trans Solent passenger ferries and Severn and Mersey lifeboats for the RNLI.
Rejoining McGruer & Co in 1994 as managing director, Fraser established a Lloyds approved GRP mould shop, re-trained staff in GRP laminating and aluminium welding and fabrication techniques and built new boats in both materials whilst continuing refit work on large wood, steel and GRP yachts and commercial workboats.
In 2000 Fraser sold the McGruer boatyard site for development to focus on Survey and Consultancy work. He has surveyed all manner of craft from sailing cruisers to crane barges, sail training ships and large motor yachts. He is highly knowledgeable on Steel, GRP and aluminium and has specialist expertise in wood construction and propulsion systems. Fraser has acted as Expert Witness in legal disputes and is familiar with Court Procedures Rules. He is an MCA Code of Practise Examiner for IIMS, RYA and YDSA Certifying Authorities.
An experienced sailor, Fraser is member of the Royal Ocean Racing Club, Royal Northern & Clyde Yacht Club and Cove Sailing Club, has cruised and raced extensively, including Scottish Series, Solent Points, Cross Channel Races, Commodores Cup, Fastnet Race and US Oyster Patch and has delivered sail and motor boats around the UK.
Fraser is a member of the Chartered Insurance Institute, was vice president of the Scottish Boat Builders Association for 4 years, sat on the British Marine Federation Commercial Boatbuilders Committee for 8 years and was co-opted for a time onto the BMF Legal Services Committee. He currently sits on the IIMS Certifying Authority Committee.
