Your Crew
CAPTAIN Francis McLawrence & CHEF Neil
Lady Marigot is managed by a fully Saint Lucian crew with years of sailing, hospitality, & operations expertise. Combined, the crew has over 15 years of experience on board Lady Marigot, and they have traveled to all seven continents, over 100 countries, as well as multiple trans-Atlantic crossings.
With their mastery of Lady Marigot and unrivaled knowledge of St. Vincent & the Grenadines, and the Southern Caribbean at large, our crew will provide an unparalleled, unforgettable, and truly authentic charter experience!
Captain: Francis McLawrence
With over 46 years of captaining experience, Francis found his love for the sea at a young age - at just six months old, he crossed from St. Lucia to Barbados with his father. Never looking back, Francis spent every school vacation thereafter at sea. He has captained a wide-range of ships, from catamarans, power-yachts, to even tug-boats. Captain Francis has done it all - yacht charters, sport & commercial fishing, shipping, & pleasure sails. He has obtained an array of boating qualifications, including but not limited to Boat Master License, Celestial Navigation Certification, and Basic Electronics.
First trained to sail using a sextant and star charts, Francis is one of the few mariners who upholds the tradition of celestial navigation. He has traversed the entire Caribbean this way (no GPS!), as well as having crossed the Atlantic by catamaran.
Well read, Francis brings a wealth of knowledge and expertise onboard. He is well versed in Caribbean history, local flora and fauna (by land and by sea), and the evolution and traditions of sailing. Young at heart, Francis is always excited to learn and brings both energy and experience to every charter – as well as more than a few great stories!
In his free time, Captain Francis designs and builds custom ships made of recycled plastic, old dinghies, & plywood. He plays bass guitar and enjoys reading about science fiction, history, and anything by Graham Hancock.
First Mate: Lee Freeman
Lee has been working with Lady Marigot since 2018, when he joined as a deckhand. While sailing is one of his many strengths, Lee specializes in mechanical maintenance of all sorts. With a willingness to listen and learn, coupled with an acute ability to educate himself from any source (Youtube included!) Lee continues to excel. Affable and endearing, polite and well-mannered, his youthful cheer and unyielding work-ethic makes for an invaluable addition to any crew or charter.
With the ocean as Lee's principal passion, perhaps his greatest talent is free-diving and spear-fishing. Countless times he has returned to the boat with barracuda, fish, spiny lobster, and the like. Most daring of all, Lee usually spear-fishes at night, hundreds of yards off the coast of Saint Lucia in what is known as the St. Vincent channel.
When he isn't onboard, Lee fixes cars in his free time and enjoys motorcycles, dirt-biking, and off roading.
Two possible Chefs available:
Chef Xavier has been working with Lady Marigot for over two years and cooking his whole life. Born in Evian, he is classically trained French Chef, has ran and worked at numerous top-tier restaurants across the globe, and brings a wealth of culinary knowledge & excellence. Both Chef Xavier and his son, Raphaël, elevate the Lady Marigot sailing experience to truly 5-star levels!
Xavier served in the French Army, before becoming a professional windsurfer. After going to Saint Lucia for a tournament, he never left and now is a resident of both France and Saint Lucia. His hobbies include windsurfing, fitness & wellness, and the wisdom of the Tao.
Chef Raphaël is a highly skilled chef with international fine-dining experience and a strong foundation in both European and Caribbean cuisine. He began his culinary career in his home country of Saint Lucia at the age of 17, working in a high-end restaurant where he developed strong classical techniques and a refined approach to service.
From ages 20 to 22, Raphaël worked in two ski resorts in Switzerland, gaining valuable experience in high-volume luxury hospitality while maintaining fine-dining standards in demanding seasonal environments. He further refined his craft in Paris at the prestigious Hôtel de Crillon, working within a Michelin-starred restaurant environment, where precision, elegance, and gastronomic excellence were paramount.
Returning to Saint Lucia, Raphaël became Head Chef of his family’s restaurant (Coal Pot; Castries, Saint Lucia), a position he has held for the past three years. In this role, he leads the kitchen with a focus on high-end presentation, refined flavor profiles, and a modern gastronomic style infused with Caribbean flair.
His expertise spans French, Saint Lucian, Italian, and Mediterranean cuisines. He also brings experience in private yacht charters and luxury dining experiences, consistently delivering beautifully plated, elevated cuisine with a distinctive Caribbean fusion twist.
In his free time, Raphael enjoys fishing, biking, and supporting his beloved Arsenal FC.
March, 2025 guests aboard LADY MARIGOT wrote of their Grenadines charter:
We recently spent an incredible week aboard Lady Marigot, sailing from Saint Lucia down through the Grenadines, and it was truly one of the most memorable vacations we’ve ever taken. From the moment we stepped on board, everything exceeded our expectations.<br />
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The boat itself is beautiful—comfortable, clean, and thoughtfully laid out for both relaxation and adventure. We had plenty of space to lounge, dine, and enjoy the stunning scenery. Our cabin was more spacious than expected and it was nice to have a private restroom and shower.<br />
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The crew (captain, first mate and chef) was outstanding—incredibly knowledgeable, welcoming, and attentive without being overbearing. The delicious food that the chef prepared was truly a highlight of the trip. The meals were fresh, healthy and perfectly filling.<br />
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Sailing through the Grenadines—visiting islands like Bequia, Mustique, and the Tobago Cays—was a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Each stop offered something unique, from charming local culture to picture-perfect beaches and vibrant marine life.<br />
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We can’t recommend Lady Marigot highly enough. If you’re considering a sailing trip in the Caribbean, this boat and crew will give you a truly special experience. We’re already dreaming about the next time we can come back.<br />
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When we decided to book a trip to St. Vincent and the Grenadines, we had no idea anywhere could compete with St. Lucia! What a trip, from start to finish – spearfishing, night sailing, birthday dinners – too many highlights to mention! Hoping to sail with Lady Marigot again!<br />
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Grace
An April, 2025, LADY MARIGOT family charter, from Grandparents to grandchildren, said:
We appreciate Lady Marigot taking us to Martinique, and adding some sailing to our trip to saint lucia! Our family loves the sea, and sailing on Lady Marigot did not disappoint! Captain Francis was expedient and professional, Lee did fantastic at noticing and adjusting to our preferences… and not enough can be said about Chef Xavier! We really were spoiled and hope to book a trip to SVG next spring, as discussed!<br />
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Tom