Duran Stewart

Captain

Bahamian

Languages: English

Education/Certifications: STCW 95 Certification, Bahamas 500 Gross Ton License, Luxury Yacht Operations, Navigation, Piloting, Crew Leadership, Fleet Management, Safety Compliance, Vessel Maintenance

Captain Duran Stuart is a native of The Bahamas, with over 20 years of experience in the maritime industry and more than 10 years of experience in the yachting industry. 
After receiving his high school diploma from Queens College in Nassau, he enrolled in the Chapman School of Seamanship, located in Stuart, Florida. The school prepared him for his career by offering classes in theory and hands-on experience related to boating. Classes included rules of the road, Marlinspike, weather, first aid/CPR, boat handling, piloting, dead reckoning, electronic navigation, and boat and engine maintenance. After 369 hours of study, Duran graduated in September of 2005 with his Professional Mariner Diploma.

Duran formally began his yachting career as a Mate aboard a 92- foot luxury motor yacht, but quickly learned the ropes and was promoted to the role of captain after obtaining over 2300 hours logged in navigating and piloting and being part of three different crews. 
He has worked aboard both private and charter vessels such as M/Y SPIRIT, M/Y JULIANE, M/Y FLIGHT RISK, M/Y SEALYON,  M/Y WATERCOLORS, M/Y WATER GREMLIN, 105’ M/Y DREAM, M/Y ALEXANDRA JANE, M/Y OCULUS, and currently onboard M/Y MARGATE as a Captain.

He’s traveled throughout south Florida and the Bahamas as well as making vessel deliveries up the northeastern United States.

Duran has a friendly personality and a passion for ensuring the safety and comfort of his guests. His focus for each charter is the satisfaction of those on board, and he will always go out of his way to help create the best vacation possible.

Personally, he enjoys deep sea and reef fishing and loves sharing his favorite spots for the best catch. He looks forward to welcoming his guests aboard MARGATE and doing all he can to ensure that everyone has a fun and memorable yacht charter vacation.

Crystal Knowles

Sole Stewardess

Bahamian

Languages: English

Education/Certifications: BA in Accounting, STCW, Seafarer’s Medical, ENG 1

Crystal was born in Nassau and raised throughout the beautiful islands of The Bahamas, developing a deep love for the ocean.

Before finding her way into yachting in 2021, Crystal worked as an accountant. Her journey into the industry happened quite by chance when she offered to help out a friend. What started as a favor turned into a passion for the yachting lifestyle, so she decided to take a leap of faith and change careers.

She has worked aboard charter yachts such as M/Y VIDA BOA, M/Y OCULUS, M/Y GAIL FORCE II, M/Y JULIANNE, M/Y WATERCOLOURS, M/Y 5 PALMS, and she is currently the Sole Stewardess aboard M/Y MARGATE.

Crystal has chartered throughout the Bahamas and Florida, with the Exuma Cays being her favorite charter destination. Her favorite place in the world will always be the Bahamas, because there really is no place like home.

She is proud of her ability to help in all departments when needed. She can cook, manage both the interior and exterior, among other duties. She loves to learn new things, and one day, she hopes to obtain her Captain’s B License, and outside of yachting, she would love to open her own business.

In her spare time, Crystal enjoys cooking, discovering new recipes, reading and travelling.
 

Jamall Petty

Chef

Bahamian

Languages: English

ducation/Certifications: American Culinary Federation, A.C.F. International Certification, Certified Chef de Cuisine (CCC), Training in Nutrition, Sanitation, and Supervision Bahamas Food & Health Safety (2006) Haccp Certified, Extensive training in sanitation Bahamas Hotel Training College (1996) International Bread Baking course and Mediterranean Cooking and Culinary Trends course College of the Bahamas (1993-1996) Completed National Apprentice Chef Culinary Program - B.A won numerous awards/certificates

Jamall Petty is a Bahamian Celebrity chef, radio & television personality, entrepreneur and culinary entertainer who is passionate about creating memories through flavorful “farm to table” & “sea to spoon” popup dining experiences.

Chef Jamall made his TV debut on Bahamas @ Sunrise, representing the Bahamian Olympic Culinary Team. An award-winning competitor, he has appeared on PBS’s Taste of History, City TV’s Rich Bride Poor Bride, ABC’s Talk of Alabama, ZNS, Tropic Buzz, ILTV’s Chef It Up, and NBC, where he cooked with Miss Universe contestants. He also hosted Taste Buzz on Guardian Radio 96.9 and Island Flare, broadcast locally and internationally.

Locally he is the former host of Taste Buzz on Guardian Radio 96.9 & Island Flare, an interview/cooking show which aired locally for five seasons on Cable TV and JCN, and internationally on Dish Network Channel 271, stations in Jamaica, Trinidad, Germany, Caribbean Broadcasting Union, CaribTV and CaribVision networks.

Chef Jamall has also taught interactive demonstrations to students and lecturers at Lincoln Culinary institute in 2012 and Johnson & Wales in 2013 and 2014 as he exposed the unique flavors of our islands to them. He also mentors high school students and puts on a culinary competition every year called the Food Fight, which is a large-scale, non-profit culinary competition where students compete for a chance to win attendance to an all-expense paid international culinary bootcamp, summer programs, scholarships and incredible prizes. The competitions combined have garnered a total of $192,500.00 in scholarship prizes to help develop the next generation of culinary professionals.

He is committed to excellence as he showcases the unique flavors of the islands and this is experienced by every client, customer, follower and mentee. He firmly stands by his personal mantra of becoming the face of culinary entertainment in the Caribbean to the World.

Throughout his career, Jamall has worked as a Private Chef for luxury homes and vacation residences, as well as a Personal Chef and Event Caterer at the Ambassador’s Residence in Nassau. As a Yacht Chef, he’s worked aboard M/Y AVENDRA, M/Y INTREPID, M/Y SUMMER LOVE, and M/Y MAJESTIC MOMENTS, and he currently aboard M/Y MARGATE.

His interests include culinary entertainment, public speaking, pop-up dining, food styling, food photography and videography, food and beverage marketing, and culinary education. 
 

Leroy McIntosh

Mate

Bahamian

Languages: English

Education/Certifications: 200 Ton Yachtmaster Offshore, Class A Master License 200 Ton, EDH, STCW, Navigational Watchkeeping, PADI Open Water Certification, Short Range Radio Operator Certification, Vessel Personnel with Designated Security Duties Certification, ENG1 Medical

Leroy grew up on a small cay off Freeport, Grand Bahama, with his grandparents, where they farmed, fished, and spent their days in little tin boats and skiffs. Boating was a way of life and a means of survival for his family. He later moved to Nassau, joined the Bahamas Maritime Cadet Corps, and studied Nautical Science at LJM Maritime Academy, which inspired him inspired him to become a captain. 

He gained experience on tugboats, sand barges, local ferries, and commercial fishing vessels before working as a Junior Navigational Officer with Campbell Shipping Company and as a boat hull cleaner and detailer for Navtours Bahamas and local charter companies. In 2016, he completed a 10-month international contract sailing between China, Africa, Australia, and New Zealand. He then transitioned into yachting aboard a private sportfishing yacht and has since gained diverse experience across both private and charter yachts. Before entering yachting, he worked as a Junior Navigational Officer with Campbell Shipping Company and as a boat hull cleaner and detailer for Navtours Bahamas and local charter companies.

He’s cruised the east and west coast of the United States, majority of the Bahama Island, Turks and Caicos, Dominican Republic, Puerto Rico, British Virgin Islands, St. Marteen, St. Thomas, USVIs, etc. His favorite charter destination is the Exuma cays, and outside of yachting Leroy’s favorite place on earth is wherever his girlfriend is. 

He’s worked on private and charter vessels such as M/Y SISU, M/Y ESCAPADE, M/Y ALEXANDRA JANE, M/Y VIDA BOA, M/Y STARTING OVER, M/Y MAN OF STEEL, M/Y KNOT DONE, M/Y LADY J, M/Y KNIGHT, M/Y CASSIDY MARIE, M/Y BIG BEN, M/Y DOWN TIME, M/Y MY WAY, M/Y SWEET EMOCEAN, M/Y QUIXOTIC, M/Y PURSUIT, M/Y PIER PRESSURE, and currently onboard M/Y MARGATE as the Mate. 

Leroy’s greatest asset would be his well-rounded experience and critical thinking abilities. Working onboard charter yachts, he’s become proficient in not only systems maintenance and troubleshooting but also remaining calm and clear headed when this profession throws the unexpected curve balls.

His goal for every guest is to actually unwind, relax and enjoy the experience, untapped. To  leave their charter feeling like they experienced the real Bahamas, not just another boat tour. He wants them to feel relaxed, safe, welcomed, and genuinely taken care of while enjoying the beautiful waters, beaches, marine life, local culture, and to create unforgettable memories with their family and friends. Whether they’re snorkeling, seeing marine life, relaxing on a private beach, or simply enjoying the boat ride, the goal is for them to leave saying, “That was one of the best experiences of our trip.”

Leroy aspires to become a Captain of a vessel up to 160 feet. Outside of yachting he wishes to build multiple business and revenue streams and create a great life and family.

His greatest passions are fishing, spending time with family and friends, and enjoying a game of pool or darts.

Leroy’s life mottos are: 

“Every man who exalts himself will be humbled, and Everyman who humbles himself will be exalted”

“Anything worth doing, is worth overdoing - moderation is for cowards.”

The serenity prayer.