Ohana
Crew profile

Our captains follow a four-on, four-off rotation schedule, which balances their professional duties with personal time. This structure not only allows our veteran captains to cherish quality moments with their families and pursue personal growth but also ensures they return to their roles rejuvenated and committed to our Ohana values.

2024: Aug-Nov, Tyler | Nov-Dec Shawn
2025: Jan-March, Shawn | March-July, Tyler | July-Nov, Shawn | Nov-Dec, Tyler
2026: Jan-March, Tyler | March-July, Shawn | July-Nov, Tyler | Nov-March 2027, Shawn

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. He grew up fishing, boating, wake-boarding and water-skiing. When he was ten he sailed for the first time and he quickly became hooked. In college, he worked as a wind surfing and scuba instructor. His passion for being on the water followed him to the East Coast where he owned fishing boats and served as a first mate/instructor on several dive boats.

Tyler is an outdoors man; whether it’s hunting or backpacking in the mountains of North Carolina, where he calls home, cave diving in North Florida or free diving in the Keys. He satisfies his land-based tendencies by hiking around on the islands and finding the best jumping spots to plunge into the ocean. On the water, he enjoys throwing out a line or diving for lobsters in the USVI and in the BVI he enjoys kite boarding. In the water, he is an avid free diver and exceptional at fish identification.

He is no stranger to hospitality. Tyler has years of experience in guest service management and is even a licensed bartender. As your captain, Tyler will make sure you have a fun, safe time on Ohana. He is dedicated to helping his guests create unique memories. Tyler will work with you to make sure your trip is full of destinations and adventures that fulfill your island vacation bucket list.

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: Shawn Hardesty
Shawn grew up on the coast of North Carolina, where hobbies such as scuba 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 background on super yachts allow him to bring a high-level of service to his craft – an eye for detail and a pride in service.

While Shawn’s charter captain career has centered in the Caribbean, he has had some remarkable opportunities all over the world. Shawn has spent time cruising the Rivas province of SW Pacific side of Nicaragua leading boat trips tailored for fishing and surfing. The past several years he has been captaining in Europe and French Polynesia. His chartering experience includes extensive cruising in the Caribbean Sea, the Mediterranean Sea and the South Pacific. Wherever he is in the world, you can notice his passion for being outdoors which allows him to connect his body and mind through water. Catching surf or wind, he is always up for an adventure.

Shawn 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: Katie Saunders
Chef Saunders is a small town girl with big world experience and is excited to bring her knowledge of food and fine dining to your vacation! With a background in catering, resort event planning, cafes and organic eateries, Katie has always had a passion for cooking and entertaining. Her career brought her to the sunny island of St Thomas, where she fell in love with the simple, sweet way of island life. Soon after, the opportunity to cook on the water presented itself and she dove into the world of yachting! As a luxury yacht chef and chief stewardess with eight plus years experience operating luxury yacht charters throughout Caribbean, she will amaze you with her incredible food and warm hospitality!

Mate/Dive Instructor: Josh Mergenthaler
Josh has been on the water for as long as he can remember. Growing up, Josh learned to wakeboard and water ski. He spent his spare time fouling and sailing boats of all sizes for pleasure and racing. He was always drawn to the water’s edge. It didn’t take long for him to plunge in and get hooked on all that diving had to offer. Under the surface, he found a whole new level of passion after he took his junior open water course that would follow him into adulthood.

Josh became a scuba instructor in the hopes that he could explore exotic places. This has led him to have a myriad of jobs all over the Caribbean. He has worked on some of the most notable liveaboards and worked in partnership with companies like National Geographic.

Josh has also served as a rescue diver, worked as a support diver for environmental studies, learned to be a salvage diver and even mapped/surveyed dive sites. His diving resume is impressive giving him a comfort and ease underwater. Noticeable as he serves as Ohana’s lead dive instructor. Josh also has a knack for engineering which is crucial to his role as the mate.

His journey started on Ohana when he got the rare opportunity to cross the Atlantic and from then he was instantly itching to get back onboard. Josh is here to make sure you also cannot wait to be back onboard too!

Josh’s Qualifications:
Yachting
Master 100 GT Captain’s License | USCG
Endorsements: STCW
AEC 1/Approved Engine Course | MCA
Level 1 US Sailing Instructor | US Sailing

Water Safety + Scuba Diving
Dive Instructor | PADI
First Aid + CPR, AED Administration | PADI
PADI Specialty Instructor/Adaptive Techniques | PADI
Deep Diver | PADI
Emergency Oxygen Provider | PADI
Enriched Air, Nitrox Max 40% O2 Equipment Specialist | PADI
Self-Reliant Diver | PADI
Level 1 Technician | Scubapro

Chief Stewardess: Maddy Tupper
Despite growing up in a landlocked province in Canada, Maddy’s passion for aquatic pursuits has always been undeniable. She started scuba diving at age ten and has experience as a lifeguard and swim instructor. Maddy spent her summers wake surfing, waterskiing, wakeboarding, swimming, kayaking, and paddleboarding.

Recently graduated from university, with five years as a varsity student-athlete, Maddy’s competitive spirit makes her always up for a beach game, a hike, or family board game. Her sense of team-work and commitment to the best experience radiates through everything she does. She will ensure each moment aboard Ohana is filled with laughter, relaxation, and joy accompanied by the hydrating drink of your choice!

Maddy has a background in the high-end service industry. She has pursued continuing education which has earned her key knowledge when it comes to pairing your wines, whipping up custom cocktails, and making sure your cravings are catered to. Her creative side and attention to detail shines when it comes to curated party planning, laying beautiful table scapes, and ensuring your space onboard exceeds your expectations.

Maddy’s journey with Ohana began as a guest. She chartered with Tyler three times and spent the entirety of her last charter repeatedly badgering Tyler for a job. So, heed this warning: the beauty of the BVI and the unforgettable experience aboard Ohana will keep you coming back, maybe indefinitely!

Maddy’s Qualifications:
Yachting
STCW | USCG
Pleasure Craft Operator License | Transport Canada

Water Safety + Scuba Diving
CPR/AED Level C | National CPR Foundation
National Lifeguard | Lifesaving Society
Water Safety Instructor | Canadian Red Cross
Dive Master | NAUI
Specialized Training: Swim Instruction

Culinary + Hospitality
Food + Wine Level 1 | WSET
Food + Wine Level 2 | WEST
Alberta ProServe Certification | AGLC

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

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