Crew Bio Playtime - Crew Bio

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Captain Paul Porter

-Qualifications -USCG 50 Ton -STCW 95 Basie Safety Training -USCG Sailing Endorsement -PADI Dive MAster -IKO Kiteboarding Instructor

Paul has had a love for life on the water since a very young age – sailing, surfing, free diving and competitive kite boarding. Being near or on the water has always been of great importance to him.

In 2014 Paul began his carrier as a charter captain which has brought him internationally offering crewed charters in Sweden, Italy, Greece, Croatia, the San Juan islands, Maine and the Caribbean. In 2016, Paul moved to the Virgin Islands to work as a full time captain aboard SV Pelican, a 58 foot catamaran, offering all inclusive dive sailing charters in the USVI and BVI. Having the Caribbean right off the back deck made for the chance to learn many of the locations for free diving, kiteboarding, hiking and all the fun activities that make a sailing trip a great adventure. Returning to the Mediterranean every summer Paul continues to grow his local knowledge of each location with a focus on Greece and Italy. His passion for the sailing life style and the ocean is infectious and he brings both excitement and experience to every charter.

He is also a well recognized teacher of outdoor photography and lighting. Paul happily shares his love for boating and photography as a captain who also can teach high-level photography to guests onboard in beautiful and remote locations. ______

Chef Ramona Caouette - Chef until July 31st , 2021

-Qualifications • STCW 95- Safety Fire Fighting • First Aid, CPR & AED Certifications • SRJC Culinary School, Santa Rosa, CA • Bachelor's Degree, Exercises Science • Wine Knowledge • Bartending & Serving • USCG Master/Mate100.T • Guided Tours & Activities

PERSONAL INTERESTS Sport fishing! Cooking, diving, kayaking, surfing, photography, scuba diving, wake- boarding, beach volleyball, hiking, kiteboarding, running, and reading.

Ramona has a serious passion for life, and one that will inspire you to jump in! She always sports a positive attitude and has an energetic personality that is refreshing to be around. She's the kind of host that can lead you into tomorrow or let you relax to your hearts desire. Her experience on yachts of many sizes and focuses has given her the tools to make your charter experience unforgettable.

Ramona has been around the water her entire life coming from the Southern California coast. Where she grew up playing, surfing and fishing in the Pacific Ocean, as well as kayaking, sailing and wake boarding on her local rivers. She was raised with a broad interest in many subjects and activities and was always encouraged to try as much as she could possibly try. This yearning for experiences led to lots of travel and exposure to difference cultures, food, and perspectives. Up and down the Pacific Coast she ending up near Cabo and secured a sweet job on fishing vessels and realized that she

Page 1/3 CREW BIO would surf and fish to her pleasure by cooking great food. So she went home and enrolled at the Santa Rose Culinary Arts College and began her professional food creation.

Then came the yachting opportunities...California, Mexico, Florida, even all the way to New Zealand. Yachting had opened up the world and all of it's oceans. Eventually, she ended up in the beautiful Virgin Islands and can't wait to show you the time of your life on charter.

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Chef Christina M. Astuto - Starting November 1st, 2021

QUALIFICATION ● STCW 95/10, Basic Safety Training ● Food and Hygiene Level II ● First Aid/CPR ● TABC Certification

A true New Yorker born and raised in Staten Island from two parents who grew up in Brooklyn, Christina prides herself on her personality and respectful family values. She believes this is what has shaped her personality which has been the foundation for her life. As an Italian American, food has always been an important part of her life. She believes there is no better way to spread love than with a home cooked meal, some great wine, and really good company.

After graduating with a Masters Degree in Special Education, Christina worked as a preschool teacher in the greater New York area for over 5 years. It wasn’t until she took a trip to South Africa to teach English did she realize that her passion for travel, culture, and exploration exceeded her expectations. It was then that she realized she was settling for a comfortable life which she was good at, but ultimately it did not feed her soul. Unexpected events, call it serendipitous or not, have brought her to the sea and she could not have been more grateful. Prior to her 3 seasons in the Virgin Islands, she has worked two and a half seasons as a chef & hostess in destinations such as Greece, Croatia, Sardinia, and Montenegro. She has worked on a variety of different sailboats which allowed her to really grow her passion for sailing.

As a chef Christina likes to keep her meals as healthy and tasty as possible. To her, flavor is most important and shouldn’t be compromised. Christina likes to cook with the best local ingredients she can find, and believes freshness is key. Her cuisine is very eclectic and she uses a variety of flavors, spices, and herbs. Although she does like to treat people with her Italian specialities, from time to time! Christina believes people should have a cultural culinary experience when they are eating. She wants you to remember your sailing experience from that moment you see the breathtaking morning sunrise over the horizon to the smell of roasted chicken coming fresh out of the boat’s oven. She truly believes that sailing is an experience for your senses and she’s fully on board to give the best experience she possibly can.

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