Blue Tide

We’re only moments away from our shipmates arriving, and we’re very excited to welcome them aboard! All the ActionQuest staff have been hard at work stocking and servicing our vessels in preparation for the exhilarating weeks ahead. The three staff onboard are all well versed in the various aspects of sailing and diving. We will be helping those with prior certifications reach new limits as advanced divers and sailors. Courses aside, our goal as staff is to provide a fun and supportive environment that allows our students to discover their ability to learn and overcome challenges. We hope to build these surroundings not only from our daily activities such as water skiing, dinghy sailing, snorkeling, hiking but with responsibility, accountability, and team building! The next 17 days will be fruitful for all those living aboard Blue Tide and ActionQuest vessels. We’re looking forward to meeting our students soon and having an incredible time over the upcoming weeks.

Ashley: Skipper/Dive Instructor

Ashley was born and raised on the coast of New Jersey, where her passion for the sea first blossomed. During her sophomore year at Roger Williams in Rhode Island, she studied abroad with Seamester, where she sailed from the BVI to Tahiti on S/Y Argo. After graduating with a degree in marine biology, she worked onboard New Jersey’s official tall ship A. J. Meerwald, in Washington state on Zodiac, and has most recently spent time on Ocean Star during her refit period in Antigua. Ashley holds certifications as an IYT Yachtmaster and PADI instructor. Her favorite animal is the sea turtle, and she can’t wait to be in the BVI and diving with them again!

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 and SSI and has been teaching scuba since 2008. Jay’s sense of adventure, enthusiasm for diving and 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) and eventually lead him to discover Action Quest in 2017. Over the past few years, Jay has helped with S/Y Ocean Star’s and 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, and 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

Kevin: Mate/ Wilderness First Responder

Kevin is a certified Wilderness First Responder and has been leading trips for Bowdoin’s Outing Club for the past four years, including everything from flatwater canoeing trips to backpacking along the Appalachian Trail. At Bowdoin, Kevin has also been a whitewater kayaking instructor and raft guide. He loves watching students go from learning techniques in the pool to then putting their skills to use on the river. When he’s not busy in the great outdoors, Kevin is an avid musician, baseball fan, and board game enthusiast.