Company Information

The Murray, Cormack Associates partnership was established in 1972 by Maitland Murray and the late Douglas Cormack, joined in 1991 by naval architect Dennis Davidson and in 1998 by marine engineer-surveyor Jim Abernethy. Together we have created a very committed team, with many years of combined experience in various marine-related areas allowing us to provide an unrivalled level of service to both private and corporate clients.

Each partner is a full member of the Yacht, Designers & Surveyors Association (YDSA) and the British Marine Federation (BMF) with both Maitland and Dennis members of the Royal Institution of Naval Architects (RINA). Jim is a member of the Institute of Marine Engineers.

The company also enjoys Corporate Partnership Membership of RINA.

The partners have considerable management experience in the operation of large yacht yards and with this background they bring a breadth of practical experience to add to their technical assessment of design and construction problems. They are also committed sailors.

 

Maitland Murray
Founding Partner
(based Oban Office)

Maitland was an apprentice naval architect at Denny Ship Model Test Tank, later working in London for Colin Mudie RDI FRINA, followed by eight years as Manager at Morris & Lorimer Ltd, Sandbank, designing and building a wide variety of yachts, both sail and power. He established the Murray Cormack Associates design consultancy in 1972, surveying yachts and also specialising in the design of fast pilot boats, examples of which are in service around the world. His survey skills are always in demand for vessels of all sizes and types in the UK, Europe and the USA.

Dennis Davidson
BSc Hons, CEng, MRINA
(based Helensburgh Office)

Joined McGruers Ltd in 1970 as a Designer and later Technical Director, dealing with the design and construction of cold moulded racing yachts and traditional sailing/motor yachts. Also oversaw project management of fast pilot launches and survey craft built in grp, steel and timber. Since joining Murray Cormack Associates in 1991, design work on pilot boats, specialised harbour craft and small ferries has continued. Major refits of motor and sailing yachts, and specialist technical and structural investigations, are also regularly undertaken.

Jim Abernethy
BSc, CEng, MIMarEST
(based Langbank Office)

Graduated in Mechanical Engineering in 1978, specialising in NDT and Offshore Technology. Spent six years with MG Yachts as Production Manager, building performance and racing yachts in state-of-the-art frp materials. Marine surveyor with E K Wallace from 1984, dealing with yachts, fishing vessels and smaller commercial craft. Joined Murray Cormack Associates in 1998. Has worked on yachts and sailed all his life, initially on the 1887 gaff cutter Beroe and later on offshore cruising and racing yachts. His sailing experience ranges from dinghy sailing to ocean delivery trips and competing at international regattas.