Michael Miller
mike@oceanascents.com · Location: Based in Washington, DC metro LinkedIn / oceanascents.com
Objective / Summary
Experienced sailor with over 20 years of professional and recreational command, deckhand, and crew work on vessels ranging from 40‑ft monohulls to a 154‑ft luxury yacht. Currently completing a US Coast Guard Master 100‑ton license with Auxiliary Sail endorsement and seeking offshore or charter roles that allow me to apply my seasoned navigation, emergency‑response, and crew‑leadership skills.
I am an easy‑going person who holds crew safety and communication as paramount. I am experienced in maintenance of electronics, rigging, fiberglass, engine‑mechanics and more. I have responded to several emergency situations while underway and have at all times kept my crew and vessel safe. I am also handy in the galley and am comfortable with long passages.
Sailing Experience
| Dates | Vessel & Role | Highlights / Responsibilities |
|---|---|---|
| 2023 – 2024 | Crew – 2015 Fountaine Pajot Lipari 41 (NY ↔ Miami, Portsmouth ↔ NY) | Yacht delivery – Handled navigation and watch rotations on a 41‑ft catamaran; executed long‑range passages on Atlantic route up and down US east coast. |
| 2022 – 2025 | Recreational Expedition Crew – Tall ships & charter vessels (Svalbard→Norway, Gibraltar→Morocco, Martinique→Guadeloupe, Netherlands→Canary Islands) | Served as guest‑crew aboard Anne Margaretha (Svalbard‑Norway), Rubicon 3 (Gibraltar‑Northern Morocco), Sailing Virgins (Martinique‑Guadeloupe), Tall Ship Tecla (Netherlands‑Canary Islands). Handled navigation, watch‑keeping, emergency drills, sail‑handling. |
| 2015 – 2024 | Captain – 12‑15 m Monohull Bareboat Charters (Mallorca, Sardinia, Key West, BVI, USVI, Kalymnos, Chesapeake Bay) | Planned itineraries, conducted pre‑voyage safety briefings, managed crew of 4‑6, performed emergency maintenance. |
| 2004 | Deckhand – Private 154‑ft Feadship (M/V Avante IV) | Performed deck operations, vessel maintenance (sanding/painting/fiberglass/small‑engine mechanical work), engine monitoring, and luxury guest service on a super‑yacht. |
| 2002 | Captain – Contessa 43 “Dawn Treader” (Youth sailing program, Southern Chesapeake Bay) | Led week‑long cruises for youth groups, taught fundamentals of sailing, safety, and seamanship. |
| 2000 | Professional Captain / Water‑skiing Instructor – Small power‑driven vessels | Youth camp – instructed water‑skiing, first aid/CPR. Captain of small vessel. |
Certifications & Licenses
| Certification | Issuing Body | Status / Expiry |
|---|---|---|
| USCG OUPV (Operator‑Unrestricted Passenger Vessel) Captain’s License | Annapolis School of Seamanship / US Coast Guard | Course completed Jan 2026 – application pending |
| USCG Master 100‑ton License – Auxiliary Sail Endorsement | Annapolis School of Seamanship / US Coast Guard | Course completed Jan 2026 – application pending |
| International Sailing License (SLC) – Captain Level V | NauticEd (USCG‑approved) | Valid Near‑Shore 25 nm; SLC # 63350551 |
| VHF Radio Endorsement | NauticEd | Active |
| USA State Boater Safety Certificate (NASBLA – Virginia) | NASBLA | Active (Cert # 6A979HDJ99J9IAI) |
| Advanced Sail Trim, Weather, Safety at Sea, Storm Tactics, Navigation Rules for Sailboats, Skipper Large Keelboat, Maneuvering Under Power, Bareboat Charter, Anchoring, Coastal Navigation, Electronic Navigation | NauticEd | Completed 2018‑2020 (see coursework) |
| Practical On‑the‑Water Assessment – Sailing Virgins | Accredited ASA & NauticEd (verified by James Kell) | Completed during Martinique‑Guadeloupe passage |
Core Skills
- Navigation: Paper charts, electronic chart plotters, GPS, passage planning.
- Watch‑Keeping & Crew Management: Night watches, safety briefings, crew scheduling, conflict resolution.
- Emergency Response: Engine failure, mast‑stay loss, flooding, grounding, man‑over‑board, heavy weather, sail‑handling failures, electrical faults, lightning‑strike mitigation.
- Sail & Rig Handling: Reefing, sail‑trim optimization, furling-main, rigging maintenance.
- Mechanical/Electrical Troubleshooting: Marine diesel maintenance and troubleshooting, generator operation, battery maintenance, small engine repair.
- Charter Operations: Guest liaison, provisioning, itinerary customization, regulatory compliance.
- Teaching & Mentoring: Youth program instruction, on‑water skill assessments, safety courses.
- Languages: English (native); basic conversational Spanish.
Notable Passages / Projects
- Atlantic Passage (Tall Ship Tecla) – Netherlands → Canary Islands (2025): 13‑day offshore leg, sail handling, watch duties.
- Svalbard → Norway (Anne Margaretha) – Arctic sailing, cold‑weather sail handling.
- Mediterranean Bareboat Charters (Mallorca, Sardinia, Kalymnos) – 2015‑2024: Master of 12‑15 m vessels; trip planning, coordination and execution.
- Caribbean Cruise – Ft Leisure to Dominica / Lesser & Greater Antilles cruising aboard professional vessel – 10 months.