Your Crew
CAPTAIN Shane Ryan & CHIEF STEWARDESS Stephanie Girdlestone
Shane Ryan - Captain
Nationality: Canadian
Captain Shane grew up in the Pacific Northwest, just outside of Vancouver, Canada, where his lifelong love for the water began. Over 20 years ago, he started his boating journey as a salmon fishing guide on the West Coast, dedicating a decade to honing his skills. Seeking new adventures, Shane and his wife Mandy moved south to Florida to pursue a career in yachting.
As captain, Shane is committed to creating unforgettable experiences for every guest. He crafts remarkable itineraries with precision, ensuring guests experience the joy of checking off wishlist items while making the most of every moment on their journey. Whether it's exploring hidden gems or enjoying water sports, Shane loves introducing guests to new adventures while making sure their time on board is exceptional. Captain Shane brings a wealth of experience and passion to every charter, always keeping guest safety at the forefront.
In his spare time, Shane enjoys fishing, golfing, and playing hockey. He is excited to showcase the breathtaking beauty and thrilling adventures the Bahamas has to offer.
Mandy Luscombe – Chef
Nationality: Canadian
Mandy grew up in a small town outside of Kelowna British Columbia, Canada. Her taste for organic and fresh ingredients started at a young age as she was taught bread making and canning from her mother who is a chef. She is very passionate about healthy cooking and utilizing the fresh ingredients around her. She started traveling the world at age 19 starting in Australia then moving to New Zealand at 21. She then traveled around Europe settling for a year in Scotland.
This exposed her to many different tastes and styles of cuisine. Before yachting, Mandy worked as a corporate trainer in high-end restaurants learning about service and various cooking techniques. Being from a wine country in Canada, Mandy has taken great interest in the industry and is very knowledgeable about food and wine pairing. In 2012 she took a year off to go to expand her knowledge and enrolled in a culinary program at The Art Institute in Vancouver. While in Vancouver studying, she met her husband, Shane. Together they have made a career out of yachting and have traveled extensively for work and pleasure including The Bahamas, Indonesia, Central America, the USA, and Mexico.
Stephanie Girdlestone - Chief Stewardess
Nationality: American
Born and raised in Knoxville, TN, Stephanie has always had a passion for adventure. After moving to Alpharetta, GA, she eventually moved to Sarasota, FL and then finally found herself in Fort Lauderdale, FL, where her love for yachting truly blossomed. Since 2022, she has been honing her skills as a dedicated stewardess aboard vessels ranging from 100 to 130 feet, consistently striving to provide an exceptional level of service to her guests.
Prior to her career in yachting, Stephanie gained valuable experience as an inventory manager and as a server at a prestigious 5-star steak and seafood restaurant. She is drawn to life on the water, enjoying activities such as snorkeling, free-diving & any water sport there is. She also enjoys golfing and traveling all over the world exploring new destinations. The Bahamas has become a second home for her, where she finds peace in the breathtaking blue waters and immerses herself in the vibrant local culture every day.
Aaron Carey - First Mate
Nationality: Bahamian
Aaron grew up in the beachside settlement of Tarpum Bay on the island of Eleuthera, a town deeply rooted in fishing and seafaring traditions. As a child, he was involved in a wide range of activities, from baseball, basketball, and track and field, to fishing, spearfishing, and performing lead roles in local plays and choir groups.
Aaron's yachting journey began in 2019, driven by his love for the ocean and his desire to share its beauty with those who truly appreciate it. He has served as a mate on M/Y BASH II and M/Y JOURNEY, and as a Second Engineer/Bosun on M/Y HIGHLANDER. Prior to yachting, Aaron managed landscape operations and heavy machinery.
Known for his expertise in safely navigating even the most challenging waters, Aaron ensures that guests feel completely at ease throughout their journey. As a Bahamian native, his goal is to offer guests an authentic and unforgettable experience of the Bahamas, filled with activities that not only meet but exceed their expectations. When he’s not on board, Aaron coaches the Bahamas water polo team, practices carpentry, and enjoys grilling for his community on weekends.
***July 30 to August 2, 2026***
<p>***July 30 to August 2, 2026***</p><p>Thank you for a great experience. We’ll remember the beautiful ocean, the amazing fish, and hours spent jet skiing!</p><p>The food was incredible...the service second to none!!</p><p>Thank you Capt. Shane, Chef Mandy, Stephanie, and Aaron! We’ll remember this adventure for the rest of our lives!!</p><p>Broker Feedback:</p><p>I wanted to pass along some feedback from my client following their recent charter aboard M/Y Margate. Overall, they rated the entire experience an A+.</p><p>Some highlights:</p><p>• The yacht was in excellent condition—very clean, everything was fully operational, and they experienced no issues at all.</p><p>• Captain Shane received exceptional feedback. The client described him as friendly, knowledgeable, approachable, and, most importantly, someone who made them feel completely safe throughout the charter.</p><p>• Chef Mandy was outstanding. Every meal was excellent, and they genuinely couldn't fault the food. Their only joke was that next time they need to wear elastic waistband pants because there was simply too much incredible food!</p><p>• Stephanie was warm, attentive, and always available whenever they needed anything.</p><p>• Erin also received great praise. He did an excellent job introducing them to the water toys, tender, and jet skis, always ensuring everything was done safely. The client said it felt like staying at a luxury hotel—whenever they needed something, someone was always there to help.</p><p>• They also appreciated that the crew struck the perfect balance between being attentive and giving them plenty of privacy to enjoy their vacation.</p><p>They had fantastic weather throughout the trip and made great use of the jet skis. One of their favourite days was spending Saturday on a beautiful private beach.</p><p>The crew also went above and beyond by decorating the yacht for the birthday celebration and presenting a beautiful cake and champagne, which made the occasion extra special.</p><p>Regarding the itinerary, this was their first time in the Exumas. They found it worked out perfectly, as they realised they preferred spending more time enjoying each destination rather than cruising long distances every day.</p><p>The only feedback they had for a future charter was that they would book an extra day or two. Since they departed the marina around noon on Thursday, the initial run to the Exumas took approximately 6–7 hours, meaning a portion of the trip was spent underway. With a slightly longer charter, they felt they would have had even more time to enjoy the destinations. I pushed them to charter for longer but unfortunately could not do it this time.</p><p>Overall, it was an outstanding charter, and the client couldn't speak more highly of the yacht and the crew. Thank you and the crew for all the hard work. </p>
***July 20 to 27, 2026***
<p> </p><p>Guest One:</p><p> </p><p>It was a super cool trip and the food was delicious. The adventures were amazing and I especially loved the jet skis.</p><p> </p><p>Guest Two:<br> </p><p>Thanks to the amazing crew for a great trip on Harbour Island and the Exumas, and especially to Captain Shane and Mandy, for the smooth voyage and the great fabulous food. And to Erin & Crystal for their supporting role. </p>