CAPTAIN Bill Holden & CHEF Ashley Akers

BILL AND ASHLEY'S STORY:

Bill and Ashley met in the small town of Airlie Beach, Australia. From there they bonded over a love for diving.

Soon after, Bill introduced Ashley to the world of sailing – until the pandemic hit and the industry came to a temporary stop. They grew closer through the lull of the pandemic and when things finally started to open back up, they continued to work around Australia together, in both sailing and diving jobs.

Eventually, they decided to move back to Florida, where they got married and began their life on this side of the world. After taking a summer job in the British Virgin Islands they became infatuated with the crystal clear blue water and the plentiful wildlife the Caribbean has to offer. For the past two charter seasons they have been crewing a charter catamaran around the Virgin Islands and sharing their passion with many delighted guests.

CREW PROFILES:

Captain Bill Holden:
Bill was born and raised in Belgium. After high school, Bill started a degree in sports management until he took a summer off to do a dive master internship in Thailand. Soon after arriving Bill fell in love with the diving culture and being around the ocean and since then has never looked back! He went far beyond his divemaster internship and eventually became an instructor. He spent the next four years traveling and teaching diving around the beautiful islands of Asia. After a successful four years instructing countless students, Bill discovered a new passion of Sailing. He jumped right in and followed his passion to Spain where he spent 6 months training for his Yacht Master certificate. From there, Bill moved to Australia to further his sailing career. He spent the next two years captaining a 50 foot catamaran for the number one tourist company in Australia. Here he fell in love with taking out charter guests and being around people who are taking a break from their normal lives to have some fun! Ever since, Bill has been hooked on the yachting industry.

Chef Ashley Akers:
Ashley was born and raised in Tampa, Florida where she discovered her love for the ocean and watersports at a young age through snorkeling, fishing and boating. She attended college at Florida State University where she acquired a degree in Family and Child Sciences. After a year working at a preschool, Ashley moved to Australia to further explore her love for the ocean. There she did her dive master internship and like Bill was hooked. She went on to get her instructors as well to continue her passion for teaching. To supplement her diving income, she also worked in a high-end resort as a server and bartender where she gained valuable hospitality skills and a love for the service industry. Ashley has always had a passion for putting on events and entertaining guests, at this resort she was able to help put on wedding receptions and make sure the guests had a special experience. Ashley loves going above and beyond to ensure guests always have an unforgettable time and especially combining her hospitality skills with her love of the ocean, which has led her to the chartering industry.

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Captain Bill Holden -MARINE QUALIFICATIONS:

STCW-95/PSA: November 2018
MCA/RYA Yachtmaster Offshore: January 2019
SSI/PADI Dive Instructor: October 2015
AMSA Marine Engine Driver G2: August 2019
USCG OUPV: December 2023
ENG1: May 2022

Chef Ashley Akers - MARINE QUALIFICATIONS:

STCW-95: May 2022
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor: August 2020

Crew fully vaccinated

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Your professional crew can’t wait to take you on an unforgettable journey! Your qualified captain will design a tailor-made itinerary for your family and friends. Your chef will incorporate all your food preferences to design an award-winning menu that will satisfy all your senses.