Ben Pester

Ben Pester was born in New Zealand and came to the UK in 1943, aged 18, to serve in the Royal Navy. During the 1950s he served in the New Zealand Navy. After leaving the service he joined the aluminium industry, rising to the position of an international chief executive. After retiring in 1990 he became a sailing instructor, and undertook several long distance cruises, including rounding Cape Horn. Until his sudden death in May 2010, at the age of 85, Ben continued to sail the coastal waters of Cornwall all year round in his beloved Marelle.