NEW MISSION AWARD FINALIST
Named after the call sign for special forces water operators, The Whiskey Project Group was founded by just over 5 years ago by Ryan Carmichael and Darren Schuback , former Australian Navy Clearance Divers. Their mission was to develop the next generation of tactical watercraft that provide optimal performance and protection to those that continue to serve on the front line.
Today The Whiskey Project Group is recognised as global leader in Combatant Craft Innovation and Excellence.
Meet Ryan and Darren
Within five years of launching The Whiskey Project Group, Ryan and Darren had inked a $40m deal with the US Marine Corps.
Named after the call sign for special forces water operators, The Whiskey Project Group was co-founded by Ryan Carmichael and Darren Schuback, two former Australian Navy Clearance Divers, who set out to create the watercraft they wished they’d had when they served.
Ryan credits Darren with the genesis of the company, which began with the mission to create a better version of the tactical boats they used while in service.
“Darren had this idea about challenging the ‘why’ when it came to ill-performing watercraft,” he said. “Why are we stuck with these legacy systems that just aren’t quite right?
Darren began exploring the issue and soon realised it was a global problem.
“So, we thought we’d have a crack at fixing it,” Ryan said.
Darren and Ryan weren’t boat building experts, but they knew how to see a mission through. So they partnered with architects and engineers to create a better boat.
After much research, the Whiskey Multi Mission Reconnaissance Craft, a carbon fibre combat craft with a technically-advanced powerboat hull, was born.
“Our boats have quite a unique looking hull, and that reduces the actual slamming load on the water by 40 per cent to protect the operators.”
“We've evolved that boat a lot from there, but that really put us on the map.
Today, the Whiskey Project Group includes companies around the world, having acquired other boat builders and brands, and is one of the largest suppliers of police, emergency services and rescue boats in Australia and New Zealand.
“We went from a startup of three to six people and a concept boat to a group of companies with over 70 people and a 50-year track record,” Ryan said.
The key to their success has been a sustained focus on the company’s core values and purpose; to develop a truly fit-for purpose tactical watercraft that provides optimal performance and protection for those that serve.
“We stuck to our values when we built the team and brought partners in,” said Ryan.
They also drew on the strength, resilience and adaptability they developed from their time in uniform.
The business stays true to its roots and commits to enabling veteran employment opportunities and supporting veteran wellbeing programs and initiatives wherever they can.
But even with all the success, Ryan said he was “exceptionally proud” to find out he and Darren were finalists in the New Mission category of the Beyond Service Awards.
The King’s Trust brochure was one of the first Ryan picked up at his transition seminar when leaving the Navy.
“We speak to a lot of people leaving the military, unsure of what they can do or what's possible, but if you set your mind to it, it is possible to find a new mission beyond service.
“It’s equally as rewarding and you can continue to do great things, and for us to be able to show what success can look like after military, it means a lot.”
