As 2023 begins I think about all that I have experienced the past 12 months. Despite some of the local and global events, as well as some personal challenges, I am very thankful for everything I have experienced this year. I also think about how lucky I was to grow up on an island (Staten Island, NY) surrounded by salt water and yet lived 30 minutes by ferry to a major city center (Manhattan). People often tell me they are shocked that a “city boy” loves the outdoors and became a USCG Licensed Captain.
A question I most often get asked from clients/guests as well as people I meet socially is “Why did you decide to become a charter sailboat captain?” This is usually followed by the comment “it is so impressive you get to do what you love.” I let people know I am an Environmental Scientist who works on air and water compliance issues with various entities. I have always been drawn to the water.
The answer to the question is simple and straightforward. I realize that working as a charter boat captain is a rare profession, especially when compared to what other people do in their careers. I love life in, on, and around the water—I grew up that way despite living in New York City— the largest city in the USA. Living in the borough of Staten Island engrained in me the love for living near and on the water. For those of you not familiar with Staten Island, it is one of the five boroughs of NYC with a long nautical and maritime history.
NYC is Surrounded By Water
What makes Staten Island unique is one can live on and around the water in a quaint neighborhood while at the same time be in Manhattan “the city”, in less than 30 minutes by ferry.
Equally important is that I love giving people who normally do not have the opportunity to experience living life on the water the chance to live life on the water, if only for a few hours or days.
Life on the water is literally a state of mind. While I spend a significant amount of time living in a large city—you can take the boy out of the city BUT you can’t take the city out of the boy— it is also true you can take the boy out of the water but you can’t take the water out of the boy.
At the turn of the millennia I was introduced to the Chesapeake Bay. IT WAS LOVE AT FIRST SAIL—literally. I quickly learned the Chesapeake Bay is a very, very special place. I thought to myself how blessed I am to be able to periodically enjoy access to this world class body of water. I wanted to spend as much time as possible exploring and appreciating one of America’s golden treasures. I also quickly realized the only true way to fully understand and appreciate the Chesapeake Bay is to experience it from the water. I hatched my plan……
It was a long-term plan, I was 35 and wanted to purchase a boat by the time I was 50 (I accomplished this goal by the time I was 48). I want to take a moment here to state I was encouraged to do this by my wife, my in-laws, my mum, and my siblings. I also experienced a lot of people who thought I was nuts and told me not to try—I just didn’t listen to them. (I learned most people who tell you not to try are actually expressing their feelings and insecurities about themselves.) My plan was to become a certified American Sailing Association Sailing Instructor, earn my United States Coast Guard license, teach sailing, do some yacht deliveries, and work as a sailing charter captain for a few years. This would fulfill my desire to be on the water and, more importantly, learn how to be a professional mariner so that I could one day own my own boat which would enable me to give others the opportunity to sail and experience the water. By the Spring of 2005, I earned my USCG Masters License and my certification to teach sailing for the American Sailing Association. After spending numerous years working for various people I decided it was time to branch out on my own….well…sort of on my own. A colleague from work who I have known for many years is also sailor. I convinced him to get his USCG license and purchase a new boat with me. The rest is Shardana history.
Now I feel I am one of the most blessed people in the world. I get to enjoy life on a beautiful sailing yacht in and around the Chesapeake Bay. Best of all I am grateful and honored to share a taste of the Chesapeake Bay life with literally anyone who wants the experience. So this answers the question as to why I became a Charter Boat Captain.
See you on the water in 2023!