He quit his job on a superyacht in Oman to lead the Uto Ni Yalo on her historic voyages in 2010, sailing with several vaka from around the Pacific. Since then Captain John Smith has been passionate about the protection of traditional seafaring and navigation. Captaining that historic voyage was his most memorable achievement.

Full name: Johnathan Adrian Smith

Age: 43

Lives in: Nukuwatu, Lami

Describe yourself: Fun, adventurous, humble.

What inspires you to be the person that you are?

My upbringing in Lautoka. The simple life. Lessons learned the tough way. Great family and friends.

What would you describe as your passion in life and how are you going about realising it?

To help those who are less fortunate than me to achieve their dreams.

The Uto Ni Yalo was a great stepping stone to many young crew who knew nothing about navigation or sailing and now they're all experts and great sailors and skippers.

What would you consider to be the most memorable in your career?

Sailing the Uto Ni Yalo to the US and back to Solomon Islands. Even though I was a sailor for more than 20 years, I thought I knew everything. That was not the case. The Uto Ni Yalo taught me a lot of things I never thought of and took for granted.

I am obsessed ... with mother nature and keeping her intact. The environment, and the damage we're doing.

I can't live without ... my Maui Jim polarised sunglasses. Saved me a lot of times when shallow patches appear out of no where.

I am proud of ... all my crew from the Uto Ni Yalo who have now branched out into the world of sailing and standing on their own two feet.

Wish I could change the mentality of people in regards to the littering problem we have here in Fiji.

Really need to ... get back out to sea

Can't handle ... people who litter and are cruel to animals. I look back and wish my kids had the upbringing I had. Eating sugar cane, guava, playing hee on the tree, mountain climbing.

I relax by ... listening to music, reading, fishing, diving.

I am excited about ... what my next adventure out at sea will bring.

I have always wanted ... to get an office job in a high rise building with a cubical and finish work at 5pm and go home.

Biggest weakness ... my daughter

List of favourite things ... novels, dive gear, guitar and ukulele.

Opinion on the state of the world ... We are very lucky here in Fiji compared with the rest of the world.

Mother always told me ... Don't think you're not too old to get a hiding ...lol... mothers?

My attitude to exercise ... Still trying to get motivated to go to the gym but I try to eat healthy.

My relationship with my body ... I'm a sucker for punishment and pain.

Read more here:

Sailing the high seas - Fiji Times