“Perfection isn’t a sustainable state I’m aware of that, but to me its an aspiration thus constantly setting my own bar higher and higher for myself and never settling with what will just pass and be unremarkable “ – Matthew Yeterian
Matthew Yeterian is a Master Captain with extraordinary versatility on level of skill, determination, & dedication. The 7th Magazine’s Festivity Issue details an exclusive interview following Matthew Yeterian’s success within the Marine industry, his pursuit of knowledge, & navigating through perfection in an imperfect world –
Matthew Yeterian Photographed by Timothy White for The 7th Magazine Festivity Issue A/W’18
As a self-made Captain, tell us about your journey of seeking knowledge to become a master of all trades in the Marine & Yacht industry?
As far as my journey of knowledge seeking and mastering of relative trades, I find the answer to that to be fairly simple – I’ve always believed the key to innovation, knowledge + perspective has been an overwhelming sense of necessity & passion. Necessity stemming from my enjoyment of being on the water and being on boats all my life as many times it was up to me to figure out ways to fix issues when no one else was around to look into it. Marine mechanics were costly and out of reach due to the high demand and low numbers of anyone truly competent. The passion once again came back to not taking no for an answer and wanting to be self reliant regardless of the circumstance. My love to learn about anything foreign, to whatever knowledge I already possessed in a way, facilitated that process.
The status quo for the Marine & Yacht industry is to have someone for a particular fix, however being self-taught, you were able to master multiple trades by being particular & meticulous. Has it been difficult to execute perfection in an imperfect world?
I would honestly say it has been challenging. This industry much like many things in life is forever imperfect. In the yachting world Murphy’s law is a day to day occurrence, but I found that if the aim is always a 100% no matter how small the detail or nature of the task there’s nothing more that can be done. I take solace in knowing it was carried out perfectly no matter the input.
It is quite unusual & extraordinary for someone to be successfully versatile in your field, how did you discover this field to adapt it into your career?
Ironically this field was always in front of my eyes growing up on the coast and being an active boater and recreational outdoorsman. The discovery really came from the need I felt to help my uncle finish restoration and upkeep on his vessel that reflected not only how much he loved the water, but more importantly the time he was able to spend with his family on it. Naturally His dream became one of my own.
Being as detail-oriented as you are, what was the most challenging aspect in becoming an engineer on multi-platforms?
Easily the most challenging aspect of becoming proficient and competent in various platforms being so detail oriented is exactly that. The detail. Its the finesse, secrets and nuances that tradesman need to learn throughout the span of their career that makes them the professionals they are. The innate need I had to work in different fields forced me to seek those techniques across the board. Being self taught through reading and discussion, I of course made mistakes initially, but I never made those mistakes twice. The more I did, the more I learned.
In your journey of knowledge, what was the most interesting thing you’ve learned starting from general maintenance up until attaining your official Captain license?
There has been so many eye opening revelations and interesting lessons I had the privilege of learning. I’d have to say the most interesting is marine navigation for a simple reason: The mechanical process and tools that can be used when modern instruments fail is a marvel. Mathematical and scientific genius at its finest, to be able to find you way safely through the most difficult environments and weather, with nothing more than simple tools and senses.
What do the responsibilities of a Homeland Security US Coast Guard entail?
There’s a few simple responsibilities of holding a homeland security/US Coast Guard issued license. One being a very honest member of society with nothing that would ever raise the question of morality and patriotism. A clean crime free history, being apart of a drug testing consortium, periodic health physicals from Coast Guard approved doctors, being proficient in life saving first aid, and clearance to be able to have access in government regulated ports are mandated requirements for upholding the license.
What more do you seek to learn in the next 5 years Captain?
What I seek to learn in the next 5 years as a captain is an answer that is very clear to me. What I’ve learned more than anything is that there is always more to learn, so as far as my own goals it is simply to keep steaming through adapting new techniques, new knowledge about this lifestyle and being a Master Captain. Trying to constantly be better and to learn more is a life goal that has always been a backbone for my intent. I am so privileged to be in an industry that has such vast potential and a bottomless pit for learning and seeing the great elements this world has to offer.
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