Bavastro

After months of preparation, the time has finally come for the shipmates to arrive. We are so excited to welcome them onboard our boats and begin sharing our love of the ocean with them! For the past week, we have had rigorous staff training. ActionQuest is unique because our staff training includes not only "hard skills" such as how to operate the ActionQuest dinghies, but also has a focus on how to facilitate a caring environment onboard that nurtures leadership and independence in shipmates.

Onboard Bavastro, a beautiful 51-foot monohull, we will have 12 and 13-year-old shipmates from the Vega and Barracuda programs. That means that some shipmates will be earning their Open Water Diver and Basic Sailing certifications, while other shipmates will be earning their Junior Advanced Open Water Diver.

We are looking forward to 21 days of learning, new friendships, and fantastic adventures out there on the waves of the sea!

Here is an introduction of the crew on Bavastro:

Elise- Skipper/EMT

Elise has always been drawn to the waters and the wild places of the world. From the jungles of India to the magnificent Himalayas of Nepal, to the cerulean waters of the Caribbean, Elise’s passion for nature, social justice, and human connections have led her all over the world. After graduating high school, she spent a year teaching English and ballet at a nonprofit school in Northeastern India. Elise is a certified Emergency Medical Technician, and after serving as a mate at ActionQuest for two years, she completed her 200 ton Master of Yachts Certification. In addition to sailing and diving, Elise loves trekking, traveling, yoga, and painting. Elise recently completed her second year at Bowdoin College, where she is studying Philosophy and Anthropology.

Jay- Dive Instructor/Mate

Jay was born and raised in the charming southern town of Athens, GA (filled with football, fine foods, and great music) and graduated from the University of North Georgia with a Bachelor’s in Business Management. Jays holds Instructor certifications through PADI & SSI and has been teaching scuba since 2008. Jay’s sense of adventure, enthusiasm for diving & the water has allowed him to work in dive boats all through the Caribbean, on tall ships around the US (including the San Juan Islands) & eventually lead him to discover Action Quest in 2017. Over the past few years, Jay has helped with S/Y Ocean Star’s & S/Y Argo’s refit periods as well as sailing both boats from Antigua to Florida (accumulating over 6000 sea miles along the way). When Jay’s not out on the water, you’ll find him hiking, camping & cooking. He is excited to be back in the British Virgin Islands and share his passion for the ocean with all of his new shipmates!

Tanner- Dive Instructor/Mate

Throughout his life, Tanner has had two major goals: to make people smile and to talk everyone’s ear off about the big blue sea. His underwater life began after getting certified in a dreary quarry outside of Chicago at age 12. Tanner joined ActionQuest as a shipmate for the Dolphin Program and returned to complete the Divemaster Internship, cementing his desire to return as an instructor. Tanner is studying marine science and management at Eckerd College. When not under the water, Tanner is busy as an RA, a member of the Eckerd Improv Comedy Troupe, and actor in Eckerd theater productions. Tanner is more than excited to join the team this summer!