Volume II Issue 9

I grew up surrounded by water on Staten Island, New York—a born and bred NYer.  I have been on or around boats since the ripe old age of 8.  Growing up on an island in New York City I was always fishing, boating or playing in or around the water.  I am half British and had the good fortune to spend my summers in England visiting my extended family. I also spent time in Long Beach Island at the NJ shore.  My english family owned many boats sailing the north west coast of England and Wales. I experienced my first multi-day boating trip exploring the Caledonian Canal and Loch Ness in Scotland with my uncle, cousins and sister.  We didn’t see Nessie (the Loch Ness Monster) but we did try to find him/her.  As I grew older I earned an undergraduate degree in Physical Geography and Environmental Systems from the State University of New York at Buffalo. After university I moved into Manhattan, New York. While living in Manhattan I learned how to sail. Yes! New York City is a HUGE sailing town. 

I moved to Philadelphia where I became a member of Liberty Sailing Club for 15 years racing and cruising J-27s on the Delaware River. My friends/fellow sailors from the club exposed me to the wonderous Chesapeake Bay—one of the greatest cruising grounds in the world.  I fell in love with the Chesapeake Bay.  The rest as they say is history. I enjoyed the club so immensely I became a Director for several years as well as Rear Commodore, and Vice Commodore. I earned my USCG Masters License with Commercial Towing and Sailing Endorsements as well as American Sailing Association instructor credentials in 2005.   I worked professionally as a sailing instructor, as well as a delivery and charter boat captain. 

In 2017 I partnered with Captain Davis Jones to create Shardana Sailing Charters. Like Davis, I created Shardana Sailing Charters in order to share with other people, relaxing adventures one can experience only whilst sailing on a comfortable sailboat. I especially enjoy exposing others for whom sailing is not easily or regularly accessible. For me there is nothing like seeing the expression of peaceful serenity on a clients face while anchored out in a secluded cove watching the sun set.

I am married to a wonderful woman who happens to be an archeologist specializing in the Sea Peoples of the Mediterranean Sea.   In fact our boat, Shardana, is named after one of these sea peoples.  When I am not working, I follow my wife around the world as she explores and researches ancient sea peoples. 

As you may be able to tell, I love the outdoors, adventure, exploring the world around us. I am an avid traveler and love to experience life.   Some of my greatest joys is to make new friends and share these types of experiences, including sailing, with others who may not normally get the chance to experience life on the water.