SALT AND SEA IN SARAH’S BLOOD

THE sea runs in her blood and there’s no place Sarah Meharg would rather be than aboard a boat, watching whales frolic or tackling a big marlin.

Since she was three-years-old Sarah has enjoyed the freedom of the ocean, so deciding to become a commercial skipper was the obvious choice for the petite 17-year-old.

“I’ve always fished and gone out on the boat with dad since I was little – I love the sea,” she said.

A former Ulladulla High School student, Sarah left school last year at the start of year 11 and commenced a traineeship at the Ulladulla Fishing Centre.

In only 12 months she has completed both the TAFE two-year Retail Certificate 3 course and the two-year Coxswain Certificate 2 in transport and distribution coastal maritime operations course.

Her knowledge of the sea and maritime operations, as well as her proficiency in the Wason Street tackle shop, led to Sarah taking out the Illawarra Retail Trainee of the Year Award at the NSW Department of Education and Communities Training Awards in Wollongong last Friday night.

She was also chosen as the Illawarra representative for the NSW Phil Darby Memorial Award for high achievers to be announced later this year.

Sarah has now commenced the Master Class 5 course which will allow her to operate larger commercial vessels.

Born and raised in Ulladulla, and a member of the prominent Greco fishing family, Sarah knows her way around a boat and is looking forward to skippering charter vessels once she turns 18 in September.

Her employer, Wayne Humphries, said Sarah’s academic results were outstanding and matched her skill in the workplace.

“When we take a group of fishermen out, Sarah basically runs the trip and I drive,” he said.

“In what is a male-dominated field, she does extremely well.”

As well as hosting fishing charters, Sarah and Wayne take people out to watch whales and birds.

Her training has included the navigation and safety side of operating a charter boat as well as marketing and selling tours.

Sarah said she enjoys taking fishing groups out and sharing stories about how she has caught 13 marlin, including a 155.8 kilogram black marlin in the recent Jess Sams Game Fishing Tournament.

“Some of the blokes are pretty surprised to see a girl running a fishing trip or working in the shop,” she said.

“But I’m up with the latest fishing gear and know where and how to fish in the local area.”

When she’s not fishing, for work or pleasure, Sarah dances with the Entertainers and spends time at the beach with friends.

Her initial dream to become a professional ballerina with the Australian Ballet Company was shattered four years ago following a car accident.

“That’s when I decided to study my Coxswain Certificate instead,” she said.

Wayne said Sarah’s success was an example of how young women can achieve anything they set their minds to.