Where it all began...

Shipshape principal Pieter Hanraets was just 9-years old when he ventured out on his first yacht, a P-class, sailing on Fiordland’s Lake Te Anau. His parents encouraged him to take proper care of his boats believing that if you looked after the boat, the boat would look after you. Words he still lives by today.

A former professional sailor, captain, boat builder and yacht rigger, Pieter has since crossed the Atlantic Ocean seven times, noting with some amusement he has never crossed the Atlantic in a plane!

His vast marine experience includes yacht racing, sail and motor yachting the varied waters of England, the Mediterranean in addition to the Azores, Canary Islands, the Caribbean, Bahamas and the entire US Eastern seaboard from Florida to Maine. The sailing vessels and motor yachts ranged in size from 47 ft to 140 ft. 

Becoming shore-based in Florida, he gained experience in marine project management for the refit and restoration of numerous vessels, expanding upon his comprehensive knowledge of vessel structures and associated systems, while also attending the Chapman School of Seamanship in Stuart, Florida, Graduating as a Marine Surveyor in 1992. His vast marine experience includes selling masts, spars and rigging, technical advisor for Profurl, USA. Sales management for a sailmaking company and the building of RIBS for the US Coast Guard and custom versions for private individuals. 

Returning to his native New Zealand, he joined High Modulus, selling and consulting on composite materials before becoming a specialist Marine Insurance Assessor working for insurers based in New Zealand, Australia and the South Pacific. This assessment work exposed him to all manner of damage, not normally encountered, working simply as a Marine Surveyor of motor vessels and yachts. 

Marine Surveyors generally report damage or its potential, whereas assessors must identify damage and evaluate a cause to confirm if an insurance policy will extend coverage in the given circumstances. The difference is subtle, however, this additional layer of experience assists us to identify and avoid any potentially catastrophic and costly problems for you, before it is too late! We're here to assist and we'd be delighted to hear from you.