Apprenticeship: Certificate III in Marine Craft Construction
Employer: Inferno Marine
Background & Journey
From a young age, Kobe Gogoll has been surrounded by boats, water, and the excitement of building something that floats. After initially working in tiling, Kobe saw an opportunity to pursue his real passion — creating boats from the ground up. The hands-on, creative side of boat building immediately drew him in, and he soon began an apprenticeship with Inferno Marine under the guidance of Tim Ewert.
Now in his fourth year of Marine Craft Construction, Kobe has developed into a highly capable tradesman, known for his calm confidence, reliability, and love for craftsmanship. He’s also something of an innovator in his own time — building his own custom tiny speed boats, a perfect reflection of his creativity and enthusiasm for the trade.
Skills & Achievements
- Over the course of his apprenticeship, Kobe has mastered a wide range of marine construction skills, including:
- Fibreglassing, repairs, and fit-ups across ski and wake boats
- Boat maintenance and detailing, ensuring precision and quality finishes
- Engine fit-ups and marine electrical systems, areas he continues to expand into
- Applying a meticulous attention to detail inspired by his mentor, Tim
One of Kobe’s proudest moments was seeing a full boat come together after weeks of work — a reminder of the satisfaction that comes from turning raw materials into something that floats, runs, and performs beautifully on the water.
Work Ethic & Attitude
Kobe’s work ethic is unmatched. He’s always the first to arrive at the yard — often with the doors open and workshop ready before his boss even arrives. Calm, dependable, and quietly confident, he approaches every challenge with focus and pride.
When a project doesn’t go to plan, like a gunnel that needed to be completely redone, Kobe doesn’t panic — he simply gets on with the job, finding solutions and maintaining morale in the process. His reliability gives his employer peace of mind knowing the work will be done right, every time.
Growth & Development
Kobe’s growth throughout his apprenticeship has been remarkable. Despite setbacks in his training system, he’s shown resilience, maturity, and self-motivation, honing his skills to an industry-leading standard. Today, he can complete most tasks with minimal supervision and is beginning to take on greater responsibility in both production and mentoring roles.
Contribution to the Workplace
At Inferno Marine, Kobe is more than just an apprentice — he’s a key member of the team. His positive attitude, leadership qualities, and willingness to support others make him a role model for younger apprentices. He’s known for his genuine kindness, strong teamwork, and passion for helping the business grow.
Future Potential
Kobe’s future in the marine industry is bright. His employer, Tim Ewert, says he’s eager to retain Kobe after he completes his trade certificate, with plans to have him help train the next generation of boat builders and contribute to Inferno Marine’s vision of becoming one of Victoria’s largest ski and wake boat manufacturers.
With his creativity, skill, and drive, Kobe represents exactly what the next generation of marine tradespeople should aspire to be — passionate, capable, and proudly building Australia’s boating future.
In His Own Words
“I love seeing everything come together — from the first piece of glass to the finished boat. I enjoy building things that make people happy on the water. For me, it’s all about taking pride in the job, doing it right, and helping others learn along the way.”