Captain Christopher Rynd has been appointed Commodore of the Cunard fleet – Queen Mary 2, Queen Elizabeth and Queen Victoria – taking over the title held by Commodore Bernard Warner until his retirement on April 19..
After an uncharacteristic two-day silence, Cunard President and Managing Director Peter Shanks said today: “I must put on record our appreciation for the marvellous contribution that Bernie made to Cunard Line. We wish him and his family all the best for his retirement.”
Commodore Rynd joined Cunard in 2005 when he took command of Queen Elizabeth 2 and since then he has been master of both Queen Mary 2 and Queen Victoria. He took Queen Mary 2 on her Maiden World Voyage and attended the Queen Victoria during her construction and sea trials.
He was born in New Zealand and grew up in Singapore, Sri Lanka, and on the islands of Fiji and Samoa in the tropical South Pacific. He began his sea career in 1970 at the age of 17 in New Zealand.
Rynd’s first passenger liner was P&O’s Oronsay and his early sea days were in P&O vessels on routes between Australia and the UK. He served eight years as a reserve officer in the Royal Navy and gained his qualification as Master in London in 1979. During his time with P&O and Princess Cruises he commanded Royal Princess, Regal Princess, the first and second Pacific Princesses, Pacific Sky and Sapphire Princess.
His Australian wife Julie is able to accompany him at sea for much of the year as their three children are now young adults. When not at sea they spend time in both Britain and Australia, but visit New Zealand each year to hike and fish trout.
Peter Shanks said: “I am delighted with the appointment of Captain Rynd as Commodore of Cunard Line and am sure that many of our regular guests will join me in congratulating him on this notable achievement.”
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