Crew Profile

New Crew Starting November 2019- Captain Taylor Smith and Chef Margaret Harrington (Formerly of Better Days/White House)

Captain Taylor Smith's Certifications:
• 100Ton USCG Master
• STCW 2010
• PADI Dive Instructor
• FCC Radio Operators License

Chef/First Mate Margaret Harrington's Certifications:
• Culinary Certificate
• STCW 2010
• PADI Dive Master
• Yoga Instructor

Genuine hospitality and contagious enthusiasm for the islands are what Margaret and Taylor are all about. Having sailed their 30’ monohull extensively from Maine to Grenada and lived aboard while exploring the Virgin Islands, they know how to turn the dream of a sailing adventure into a reality. They have a glowing reputation, yielding nothing but 5-star reviews.

Taylor grew up in Central Virginia, splitting summers between living on the lake driving ski boats and traveling in the family RV to every state with a road to it. After earning a business degree from Appalachian State University with honors, Taylor started pursuing his passion for living. Playing in a touring rock band transitioned to trekking in South America, which led to bartending in Breckenridge, Colorado. After a few years of the ski bum life, the dream of setting off for points unknown in a sailboat started to form. He jumped head first into sailing, taking American Sailing Association courses, walking the docks for crew work, completing safety certifications, and before he knew it he was working day sailing charters in the Virgin Islands.

Margaret also hails from the Blue Ridge Mountains of Virginia and has sailboat chartering in her blood from her Dad, who captained classic windjammers in Maine. She began traveling internationally early on and developed a love for traditional recipes and an appreciation for the way a good meal can bring families and friends together. An ambitious explorer as well, Margaret attended the National Outdoor Leadership school before earning her bachelors degree from the University of Colorado in Boulder. She is a certified yoga teacher and recently returned to where she received her training in India, joining a month long motorcycle expedition over the highest drivable passes in the Himalayas.

Despite being raised less than an hour apart and sharing so many passions, the two didn’t meet until they were both living in Colorado. Shortly there after their dream of sailing the islands took off and they moved to Saint John where they worked day sailing charters and eco kayak tours. After that season they bought their sailboat and began cruising full time, meshing into a dynamic team afloat. Having guests aboard ignited their passion for sharing the good life with others and providing a truly bespoke charter.

Margaret and Taylor offer a vacation experience informed by years of local knowledge and a menu of their favorite island recipes personally gathered from the Bahamas to Grenada. From diving for conch that are later served up as fritters to helping someone catch their first wave surfing, providing lasting memories in one of the world’s most special places is something this team never tires of. Together they bring personalized service and engagement, with true authenticity and passion for sharing the island experience with others.


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Current crew through August 2019: Jamie Deehan and Susannah King

Jamie Deehan Qualifications:

IYT Master of Yachts Limited 200T Sail
 STCW 2010
 Maritime Security Awareness
 IYT VHF Operator
 BVI Marine Telecommunications Operating License (B)
 ENG 1
 PADI MSDT (2012)
 PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor (2011)
 Emergency First Response Instructor (2010)
 Peak Performance Buoyancy Instructor (2011)
 Project Aware Instructor (2011)
 AWARE Coral Reef Conservation Sp Instructor (2011)
 Care for Children w/AED Instructor (2010)
 Digital Underwater Photography Instructor
 Fish Identification Instructor
 Night Diver Instructor
 Wreck Instructor
 Deep Instructor

Susannah King Qualifications:

CTH level 2 award in Culinary skills
 CIEH level 2 award in Food Safety in Catering
 Ballymaloe Cookery School Food safety and hygiene
 Ballymaloe Cookery School 3 month Culinary Certificate
 Ashburton Chefs Academy level 2 course
 ENG 1
 STCW 95
 RYA power boat handling Level 2
 PADI advanced water diver

Jamie and Susannah are a team forged through their shared passion for the environment, adventure and a love for life, both travelling the world their paths crossed in the Caribbean and they have been inseparable ever since. As a couple, they set their sights on the charter industry from the word go and their accomplishments are a testament to their abilities. Their unmistakable passion for what they do creates an unforgettable experience where an atmosphere of safety and professionalism allows their guests to immerse themselves in the care free and fun loving Caribbean vibe they themselves fell in love with. They thrive on creating an environment where no task seems to be a chore, no effort to great in the search of creating the perfect experience for their guests.

Captain Jamie grew up on the shores of South Africa. His parents being avid SCUBA divers, he was taught from an early age to understand the ocean and all that goes on above and below its surface, to protect it, to love it and most of all, to respect it. Growing up the Indian Ocean was his natural playground and at a young age he was already an accomplished surfer, free diver and spearfisherman he became a qualified SCUBA diver at the age of 12 and spent much of his free time in his early teens racing 30ft monohulls up and down the coast. The ocean became a way of life and from a young age Jamie knew the sea would forever be his home. He began his professional life as a SCUBA instructor at the age of 18, working for a company specializing in the conservation and research of aquatic life. He then used his natural affinity to share his love and knowledge of the underwater world to travel the eastern coast of Africa from the vast shores of south Africa, up through Mozambique, into Tanzania and Zanzibar. All the while honing his skills captaining dive boats and sailing yachts in some of the most challenging environments on earth. His adventures ultimately landed him in the British Virgin Islands in 2013, working initially for shore based companies he ran SCUBA diving excursions throughout the BVI as well as working for a commercial diving operation specializing in yacht maintenance, repair and salvage. No longer able to be confined to land he joined a dive liveaboard as a dive instructor but his knowledge and natural ability saw him promoted through the ranks of engineer and up to Captain of the 105ft vessel all in the space of a year. Mentored by a true legend in the BVI charter industry Jamie was gifted with knowledge of the area that took his employer forty years to accumulate, combined with years of experience in the area, you can safely say Jamie is an expert on the area and can truly show you “Natures Little Secrets”.

Chef Susannah hails from Northern Ireland but is no stranger to the water, with her family being very active members of the Royal Yacht Club, she was taught to sail on Lasers from a young age in waters where the consequences of a mistake could mean a dunk in the Atlantics dangerously could waters. She was also taught to handle the large rescue Ribs and was present on many safety and rescue operations coordinated by her father. Her thirst for adventure soon had her travelling the world, visiting countries such as Australia, New Zealand, Fiji, Thailand, Vietnam and the list goes on. Her travels and her outgoing nature has allowed her to immerse herself in a variety of cultures which ignited her passion for people and of course food. Drawn to the water she was soon a qualified diver and keen surfer. Her travels brought her to the BVI in 2015 and she fell in love with the Caribbean way of life. The beauty of the Virgin Islands combined with the endless possibilities for adventure and exploration both above and below the water meant she knew she had found a place she could call home. After many months working as a stewardess Susannah found the galley calling her name and so her professional culinary journey began. Not one to do things halfheartedly Susannah went on to complete not one but two professional chef courses. Under the guidance of many excellent teachers at Ashburtons Chef Academy (Devon, England) she completed the level 2 course in culinary skills and food safety in catering. Just a few months later motivated and ready to learn more she attended the prestigious Ballymaloe cookery school (Co.Cork Ireland) and graduated from their intensive 3 month course. Susannah’s cooking reflects seasonal local produce and contemporary plating whilst always considering guests preferences.

Having sailed over two thousand miles together, in the last two years, throughout the Caribbean, Jamie and Susannah are excited to embark on their next adventure, Island Hoppin’. Trading bigger yachts and larger numbers for the luxury, comfort and performance of a new Lagoon 52. They cannot wait to show their guests the beauty of the Virgin Islands and share their love for the water and all the amazing activities available. Why not come Island Hoppin’ with a crew that’s made for it and a vessel named for it!