CHERISH II Yacht Charter Motor Boat

Crew Profile

Captain Spencer Gallagher:
Spencer hails from the Great Lakes state of Michigan. He has spent the past 17 years cruising the aqua waters of the Caribbean and the Bahamas. Spence worked his way through the ranks of yachting starting upon graduation as a first mate on large yachts and captaining his first vessel at the age of 24. Capt. Spence has earned an impressive reputation as a captain with extensive local knowledge of the Caribbean, Bahamas, the Florida Keys and Florida coastline that enables him to fulfill your yachting dreams—diving with sharks, enjoying a lunch ashore on a secluded serene island or taking in a magnificent sunset in a quiet cove. An entertaining tour guide, he can take you to destinations off the beaten path for a truly unique experience. He is a fun charter captain willing to go the extra mile for his owner, guests and crew.

First Mate Ben Shoemaker:
Ben grew up in Indiana in a small farming community. After graduating from Indiana State University he moved to Durango Colorado and started white water raft tour guiding. This led into guiding multiple different styles of tour guiding. Everything from horseback to snowmobiling. Ben was an avid member of La Plata County search and rescue and was a first responder. He started a property management company in 2006 and sold it in 2015. After starting up and selling a successful company he decided to apply his multiple years of tour guiding and property management into the yachting industry. Ben has been an avid fisherman for years and loves to share his passion with others while out on the water. He enjoys all aspects of yachting but most of all making an enjoyable and memorable experience for the charter guests.

Chef Ozeas Mendes:
Born in a small river town in Brazil in a city known for Eschoone Market boats, Ozeas and his family fished, cooked and sold on the river. At a young age Ozeas knew he had traveling and cooking in his veins. After being formally trained in Gastronomy at the University of Sao Paulo, Chef Ozeas has traveled the world for the past 17 years on busy charters delighting yacht owners, charter guests and crew members alike. His knowledge, passion and discipline will amaze the palate and soul. Ozeas ignites to introduce new tasting dining experiences with nutritional awareness with beautiful plating and over the top flavors. When not in the galley, Ozeas enjoys a healthy and active lifestyle, exercising, riding his motorcycle and devoting time to his beautiful daughter.

Chief Stewardess Erica Gallagher:
A homegrown North Carolinian, Erica will treat you to warm southern hospitality. After graduating from college with a Bachelor of Science in Mass Communications, she worked in a Country Club as the assistant beverage and hospitality manager in Wrightsville Beach, NC. There she met Captain Spence who turned her love of the water into a career. Erica has been working fulltime on yachts for the last five years taking her many years of serving, bartending, and managing into top gear offering the highest level of service and travel experience.

Second Stewardess Tawny Chalmers:
Born in the Bay Area, Tawny is a Northern California girl. After high school, she moved to the Gold Coast of Australia for an acting and film program. This is where Tawny’s love for travel began. Once completing the program, Tawny relocated to historic Nevada City California where she began her career working at one of the historic haunted hotels. Tawny then decided to combine her skills of hospitality and travel to pursue a career in yachting by moving to Florida. Tawny’s love for travel and nurturing demeanor will lend well in a wonderful and memorable guest experience.

Deckhand Ryan Daly:
Ryan comes all the way from Cape Town, South Africa where he grew up living a very active and adventurous lifestyle. He is an easygoing creative individual who always tries to add some spark to anything he does. After completing his Bachelors Degree in marketing and business management, he decided to pursue his love for the ocean and travel and join the yachting industry. He has been in the water from a young age and is a strong swimmer with experience in all types of watersports. Ryan loves snowboarding, bouldering and cycling, he has competed in many races for over ten years. He is always able to help out and takes pride in making sure guests have an unforgettable time onboard.