Ohana
Crew profile

Captain: Tyler Boruff
Tyler is always on the move and ready for an adventure. He is a man of many hobbies and easily relates to others. As an avid sailor, experienced diver and adrenaline chaser he finds living and working on the water fitting. For Tyler, chartering is the perfect platform to share his passion for the water. His enthusiasm for the outdoors extends to guiding hikes, exploring remote islands, finding the best jumping spots to plunge into the ocean and showing guests all the best local sites. As your captain, Tyler will make sure you have a fun, safe time on Ohana. Tyler will work with you to make sure your trip is full of destinations and adventures that fulfill your island vacation bucket list.

Interests: Fishing, Triathlons, Freediving, Cave Diving, Fitness, Bow Hunting, Reading, Yoga, Extreme Sports, Trail Running, Hiking, Skiing, Spearfishing, Technical Diving
Fun Fact: Tyler wants to circumnavigate and charter around the world.

Tyler’s Qualifications:
Yachting
Master 200 GT Oceans Captain’s License | USCG
Endorsements: STCW II/3, Sailing, Towing
Medical Persons in Charge (MED PIC) | USCG
Qualified Member of the Engine Department – Oiler (QMED) | USCG
First Aid + CPR, AED, O2 Administration | USCG

Water Safety + Scuba Diving
First Aid + CPR, O2 Administration Instructor | American Red Cross
Lifeguard, Beach | American Red Cross
Scuba Diving Course Director | NAUI #54354 L
Scuba Diving Gold Level Instructor | SSI #65840
Scuba Technical Diving Instructor | TDI #21125
Emergency First Responder Instructor | PADI
Cylinder Hazmat + Fill Station Operations | PSI-PCI
Service Tech | Scuba Pro
Specialized Training: Freediving, Lobstering/Spearfishing, Full Cave Diver (GUE), Water Sports

Hospitality
Bartending License | American Bartenders’ Association

Wellness
Specialized Training: Triathlons, IronMan Athlete, Cycling, Trail Running, Deep Sea Fishing

Captain/Rotational: Shawn Hardesty
Shawn grew up on the coast of North Carolina, where hobbies such as diving, surfing and sailing started at an early age. His love for this life lead him to pursue a career as a USCG Captain. Shawn’s yachting experience started as a second engineer on motor yachts before finding his niche as a captain on sailing catamarans. His chartering experience includes extensive cruising in the Caribbean Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the South Pacific. Shawn is always up for an adventure in or out of the water and will make sure your trip on Ohana is full of the best
activities and locations to cater to your dream trip to the islands.

Shawn’s Qualifications:
Yachting
Master 200 GT Oceans Captain’s License | USCG
Endorsements: STCW II/3, Sailing, Towing
Able Body Seaman (AB), Lifeboatman | USCG
CPR, AED, First Aid, Emergency Oxygen Provider | USCG

Water Safety + Scuba Diving
Scuba Diving Instructor | NAUI #61521
Professional Surf Guiding: Pacific Coast of Central America

Wellness
Interests: Trail Running, Hiking, Surfing, Kiteboarding, Foiling, Yoga

Chef Rotational: Erika Boruff
Erika has a love for entertaining which she demonstrates by whipping up creative eats that make gathering around the table a main event. Beyond the galley, you can find Erika helping with sails, jumping in for a dive, or even teaching yoga. She has worked as a delivery crew and crossed the Atlantic Ocean by sailing yacht making her a strong crew member. Erika is the ultimate trip host – making sure her guests are entertained and well-fed. Her background in logistics and experience in food prep helps her provide delicious dining experiences to accompany your vacation.

Interests: Yoga, Freediving, Cave Diving, Wreck and Shark Diving, Guitar, Lobstering, Hiking, Tiny Home Travel, Reading, Writing, Muay Thai
Fun Fact: Erika rescued a dog during Covid that lived on their last boat for two seasons. Roo the Boat Dog is now retired and lives with Erika’s parents with her two doggie brothers in North Carolina.

Erika’s Qualifications:
Culinary + Hospitality
Diploma of Culinary Arts, CTH Level 4 | Ashburton Cookery School
Certified Professional Chef | Rouxbe Cooking School
Award in Wines, Level 1 | Wine & Spirit Education Trust (WSET)
Advanced + Baking Course | Ashburton Cookery School
Award in Food Safety, Level 3 | HABC International Alliance
Food Safety Manager | National Registry of Food Safety Professionals #21161097
Bartending License | American Bartenders’ Association

Yachting
Master 100 GT Captain’s License | USCG
Endorsements: STCW, Sailing, Towing, Radio Operator
First Aid + CPR, AED, O2 Administration | USCG
Marine Radio Operator’s Permit | USCG

Water Safety + Scuba Diving
First Aid + CPR, O2 Administration | NAUI
Scuba Diving Instructor | NAUI #56496 L
Cylinder Hazmat + Fill Station Operations | PSI-PCI
Specialized Training: Freediving, Lobstering/Spearfishing, Full Cave Diver (GUE), Water Sports

Wellness
Yoga Teacher 200 | Yoga Alliance, East+West Training

Chef: Nikolaj Jelsbech
Nikolaj is a dedicated chef, hailing from Denmark, where a love for food was instilled early in his family. With a passion for culinary adventures, he’s traveled the world in search of exceptional flavors and ingredients. What truly sets Chef Nikolaj apart is his devotion to honesty in food. Rather than disguising ingredients, he lets the flavors speak for themselves. Each dish is a tribute to the natural beauty of unadulterated ingredients, where simplicity and authenticity reign supreme.

In a fascinating twist, Chef Nikolaj sought wisdom and balance by training with Shaolin monks in China. From this unique experience, he’s blended the discipline of the mind and body with his culinary artistry, creating a harmonious fusion of flavors and philosophies. Each dish he creates is a testament to his worldly adventures and the wisdom he’s gained along the way.

Nikolaj’s Qualifications:
Culinary + Hospitality
Specialty Gourmet Chef, Four-year Education | Aarhus Tec
Wine Education | Danish Sommelier Academy
Specialized Training: Champagne, Open Flame Cooking

Water Safety + Scuba Diving
Advanced Open Water | PADI
Special Support and Recon | Military Unit
Specialized Training: Freediving, Spearfishing

Yachting
STCW | USCG
Motorboat Certification | Danish Navy

Wellness
Meditation | Songshang Traditional Wushu Academy
Massage | Songshang Traditional Wushu Academy
Shaolin Basics | Songshang Traditional Wushu Academy
Wing Tsun Basics | Songshang Traditional Wushu Academy
Qi Gong/Hard Qi Gong | Songshang Traditional Wushu Academy
Sanda | Songshang Traditional Wushu Academy
Sauna Gus, Sauna Master | Denmark
Specialized Training: Advanced Shaolin Stretching

First Officer: Cory Busichio
Cory’s passion for water sports started at a young age while growing up on the Chesapeake Bay a few miles from Annapolis, Maryland – the US sailing capital. He has over 20 years of experience skippering, racing, teaching and captaining sailboats and is excited to show anyone the ins and out of the sport. He has been cruising the Caribbean since the early 2000’s aboard large sailing catamarans and can share his extensive knowledge of the islands, restaurants and culture with you. Cory was the captain on a Sunreef 60 the past four seasons and is excited to learn the ins and outs of Ohana as the mate.

Cory’s Qualifications:
Yachting
Master 100 GT Oceans Captain’s License | USCG
Endorsements: Sailing
Medical Care Provider | USCG
Sailing Instructor | America Sailing Association
Marine Radio Operator’s Permit | USCG

Water Safety + Scuba Diving
Dive Master | NAUI
First Aid + CPR, AED Administration | American Heart Association
Specialized Training: Lobstering

Wellness
Kiteboard Instructor | International Kiteboarding Organization
Paddle Board Instructor | American Canoe Association

Speciality
Multi Engine Commercial Pilot | Federal Aviation Administration
Endorsement: Instrument Rated

Chief Stewardess: Emily Busichio
Emily comes from a family of charter boat captains. She was taught from a young age everything about the boating industry and conservation, while being raised on Tybee Island, Georgia. Emily has always had an extreme passion for being on the water and outdoor activities. As a certified yoga instructor, she has taught many practices on the beach, stand up paddle boards and sailboats. Emily has more than 20 years experience in the service industry. She has spent the past five years creating exquisite meals on large catamarans in the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands. As your stew, she will provide wine and cocktails paired to every occasion while making your experience a fun, safe environment.

If you’re interested in adding yoga into your sailing vacation, Emily will be happy to offer three complementary yoga sessions on the boat, beach or stand up paddleboards.

Emily’s Qualifications:
Yachting
OUPV Captain | STCW

Water Safety + Scuba Diving
Dive Master | NAUI
First Aid + CPR, AED Administration | American Heart Association
Specialized Training: Lobstering

Wellness
Yoga Teacher 200 | Yoga Alliance
Yoga Instructor | YogaFit
Kiteboard Instructor | International Kiteboarding Organization
Paddle Board Instructor | American Canoe Association
Specialized Training: Kripalu| Yoga

Culinary + Hospitality
Certified Yacht Chef | Ashburton Cookery School

This crew’s strong background in water safety and background in scuba makes them capable of providing an extra level of security to all of their guests.

In 2017, Tyler and Erika were voted “Best Crew in Show” in their category at the VI Professional Charter Association’s USVI Charter Yacht Show. Combined, their experience on the water, hospitality, and love for fun will ensure your vacation is full of unforgettable memories. You can guarantee Ohana is the best destination for your vacation.

ALL CREW HAVE BEEN FULLY VACCINATED FOR COVID-19