C A P T A I N | Shawn Hardesty
C A P T A I N | Phil Pattat
C H E F | Autumn Hardesty
C H E F | Florrie Laidler

•Shawn & Autumn are your summer crew onboard Kelea

Shawn’s love for the ocean began when he was only a few months old on the coast of North Carolina. Shawn grew up in Carolina Beach, NC where he learned to read the wind and waves and developed a passion to share his love of the ocean with others.
Shawn graduated from the University of North Carolina at Wilmington in 2011 with a degree in Marine Biology. Shortly after college, Shawn moved to Nicaragua to pursue his love of the ocean and worked as a Captain and surf guide for NicaSurf tours.
Following a couple great years in Central America, Shawn moved back to the states to continue his life on the water. In doing so, Shawn has spent the past 5 years working aboard world class super yachts. In which time, he has obtained his USCG Captains License as well as his American Sailing Association Certification.

Autumn was born in Michigan where she grew up swimming in the freshwater of the Great Lakes. After high school she studied massage therapy and yoga in Costa Rica where she fell in love with the salty ocean and travelling to new places. In 2013, Autumn moved to Florida to become a yacht stewardess. A job that would take her to many exotic places, even all the way back to lake Michigan.

For the last five years, Autumn has worked on multiple world class yachts in which she collaborated closely with five-star chefs from around the world. Learning from her yacht chef coworkers, she has developed a passion for creating exciting and healthy dishes that create memories.

Shawn and Autumn met in September of 2013 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida, where they were both searching for their first superyacht jobs. A week later, they found separate jobs on different boats, starting three years of long distance dating. In December of 2016, they decided it was time for an adventure and decided to travel New Zealand for a year together in a campervan they renovated themselves.

Shawn and Autumn love to spend time on the water, whether it’s diving, snorkeling, surfing, paddling or sailing. They are excited to bring their captain and crew knowledge of charter yachts to give you a sailing vacation you won’t forget.

•Phil & Florrie are you winter crew onboard Kelea

Captain Phil

Growing up in London Phil worked extensively within the hospitality industry. His vast experience managing teams in different restaurants throughout London and the quaint English countryside of Kent taught him the high standards of excellent customer care and service he brings to yachting.

Travelling with Florrie to Bali, Australia and California before settling in Antigua where Phil qualified as an RYA yacht master offshore has transformed Phil’s passion in life to sailing. He loves being on the ocean and enjoying the outdoors. Phil has a broad and in depth knowledge of the Caribbean from Antigua to Grenada; and has even completed an Atlantic crossing – an experience and adventure he will never forget!

He looks forward to sharing his passion with guests and taking them around the beautiful Virgin Islands. His favourite part of the day is entertaining guests with craft cocktails and tales of adventures while the sun sets.

Florrie – First mate/ Dive Instructor/ Chef

With an incredibly lively, outgoing, sparkly personality Florrie will make your vacation as enjoyable and as fun as possible! Florrie takes great delight in sharing the flavours of the world with you. Quality of produce and locally sourced fresh foods remain the mainstay of her cooking.

A traveller from an early age Florrie has a great appreciation for the cuisine and culture of many different countries. With a degree in Marine Science she has travelled and worked extensively in the marine industry, as well as earning her dive instruction certification. Working aboard the largest commercial sailing Trimaran in the world as the chief stewardess in the British Virgin Islands allowed her to refine her skills and cement her belief in superior customer service. Armed with the knowledge of awesome diving and snorkelling spots throughout the BVI she’s sure to add amazing adventures to your vacation.

As a RYA Yacht master with experience across the Caribbean including an Atlantic crossing she’s a great help to Phil when she’s not in the galley!