C A P T A I N | Tyler Boruff (Rotational)
C A P T A I N | Shawn Hardesty (Rotational)
C H E F | Nikolaj Jelsbech
F I R S T M A T E | Josh Mergenthaler
C H I E F S T E W | Maddy Tupper

Meet the Resident Crew onboard Ohana!

Rotation | Captain Tyler + Captain Shawn

Ohana’s captains follow a four-on, four-off rotation schedule, which balances their professional duties with personal time. This structure not only allows these 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 the Ohana values.

————–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 outdoorsman; 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.

————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.

————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.

Nikolaj has Michelin experience and has worked as a head chef for the past six years. He has accrued incredibly unique experiences over his years in the food industry. He is well known in Denmark for being a leader in open flame cooking.

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.

————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!

———–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!