Captain Fred Swisher
USCG Licensed Master
200 GRT/500GT (ITC)
Currently Master of the 85' Pacific
Mariner M/Y "Luck-a-Lee IV"  (Boca
Raton, FL. based) cruising extensively
in the Keys, Bahamas, and Gulf.

She is hull #7, and I was able to monitor
her build in the Seattle area from prior to
engine-set thru final assembly.

Following sea trials in November '06, I
accompanied her on Dockwise from
Vancouver, B.C. to Ft Lauderdale.

After an abbreviated '06-'07winter
season, summer of '07 was spent
addressing warranty issues & upgrades.

We thoroughly enjoyed the full '07-'08-
'09-'10 & '11 winter seasons cruising the
Bahamas, the Keys, and the Gulf and
Atlantic Coasts of Florida.

The usual summer maintenance and
upgrade  projects were completed and
we are actively enjoying the '12 winter
season!
Nassau Sunset
A deserted beach in the Exumas
Highborn Cay, Exumas
M/Y "Melanie" awaiting
Customs in the Bahamas
Breakers @ Nassau Hbr Entrance
Breakers on the N. Jetty at
entrance to Nassau Harbor
George & YoYo with a lively
Wahoo
Offering over 30 years' experience:

  • Gulf & Atlantic waters from
    Corpus Christi, TX to  
    Jacksonville, FL & NYC to Maine
  • Okeechobee Waterway
  • Florida Keys
  • Bahamas
  • US & British Virgin Islands
  • Great Lakes
Isla Mujeres, off Cancun
Just 360nm from Key West!
A recent command.  The
"Driven" is #15 on the list of
Chicago's 50 largest yachts.
Professional Credentials:
  • USCG 200 GRT/500 GT (ITC) Master’s License w/Assistance Towing endorsement, STCW & TWIC
  • Current USCG Physical, Drug Test, CPR, First Aid, & US Passport.
  • FCC and BVI Marine Radio Operator Permits.
  • FCC Ship's Station License ("Portable" license--valid on any vessel I operate).

Underway Sea Time:
  • In excess of 2400 days, both gas and diesel, single and twin.

Geographic Areas of Experience:
  • Gulf Coastal Waters:  Corpus Christi, TX. to New Orleans, LA. and Tarpon Springs, FL to Key West
    including Galveston Bay and Tampa Bay.
  • 9   transits, Okeechobee Waterway
  • Atlantic Coastal Waters:  Jacksonville, FL to Marquesas,  & NYC to Maine (incl Long Island Sound)
  • Great Lakes
  • Bahamian Waters:  Grand Bahama (incl Lucayan waterway), Bimini, Cat Cay, Chubb, Nassau, the
    Abacos, the Exumas and Eleuthera.
  • US and British Virgin Islands

Recent Vessel Experience:
  • M/Y Luck-a-Lee IV:  85' Pacific Mariner:  twin MTU 12V2000 (2 x 1500 Hp/DDEC), 33Kw and 25Kw
    Northern Lights gensets, NAIAD hydraulic bow and stern thrusters, NAIAD multi-axis stabilizers, 9 zone
    chilled water A/C, 1400 gpd Watermaker, Radar, Autopilot, redundant GPS/Chartplotters, VHF,
    GPIRB, SATphone, Jacuzzi, etc in Atlantic, Gulf, and Bahamian waters.
  • M/Y Luck-a-Lee II:  68' Azimut. twin MTU 183TE93 (2 x 1150 Hp), twin 21.5Kw Kohlers, bow and stern
    thrusters, 7 zone direct expansion A/C, Radar, Autopilot, GPS/Chartplotter, VHF, in Atlantic, Gulf, and
    Bahamian waters
  • M/Y Driven (recently re-named Andiamo):  70' Neptunus, twin 3412E CATS (2x 1400 Hp), twin 25Kw
    Westerbekes, bow and stern thrusters, 6-zone chilled water A/C, Radar, Infrared Night Vision,
    Autopilot, GPS/Chartplotter, VHF, in Great Lakes waters.
  • M/Y (new/not named) 60' Bluewater, twin 450-C Cummins, 13.5Kw Onan, bow thruster, A/C, Radar,
    Autopilot, GPS/Chartplotter, VHF, in Atlantic waters.
  • M/Y Melanie:  twin 3196B CATS, 10Kw Westerbeke, 4-zone A/C, Radar, GPS, Autopilot, Chart Plotter,
    Chart Recorder, VHF, in Gulf, Atlantic, and Bahamian waters.
  • M/V Playtoy:  twin FWC inboards, 6.5Kw Kohler, A/C,  Radar, GPS, Autopilot, Chart Recorder, VHF,
    GPIRB, in Atlantic, Gulf, and Bahamian waters.

Maintenance Related Experience:
  • Installation,setup/adjustment, and maintenance of the full range of marine electronics including Radar,
    GPS, VHF/SSB, Autopilots, Fishfinders, Plotters, SAT-TV, Stereo equipment, and Computers.
  • Maintenance and repair of mechanical, electrical, fuel, cooling, refrigeration, and hydraulic systems
    on mains and gensets, gas or diesel.

Other:
  • Accident and violation free.
  • Business management background.
  • Security/personal protection training.
  • Excellent references.

Best Fit With The Private Owner Who :
  • Likes to cruise and entertain informally, perhaps in combination with recreational fishing and/or other
    water sports.
  • Values the maturity, judgment, and discretion resulting from 30+ years’ experience cruising and
    fishing Gulf, Atlantic, Bahamian, and Great Lakes waters.
  • Appreciates a broad skill-set coupled to an energetic, flexible attitude.
Luck a Lee IV at Ocean Reef Club
My current command, the new
Luck a Lee IV, berthed at Pacific
Mariner's docks prior to sea trials
in the Seattle area.
  • As your Captain, my priorities are (1) The safety of everyone on board;  (2) Protection of your asset via
    prudent operation and sound maintenance; (3) Ensuring everyone has a great time; (4) Making #1 and
    #2 "transparent" to your guests wherever possible.
  • As your Captain, I will strive for a relationship wherein you may communicate your needs or wishes and
    then forget about them......confident they WILL be handled, to your complete satisfaction.  
  • My hands-on maintenance skills will save you significant $$ compared to today's contractor and yard
    rates.  More importantly, the work gets done on our schedule, not theirs.  
  • Owner instruction and/or assisted passage situations?  Special needs?  No problem! My role as Captain
    is to meet your needs, not re-define them! .
  • Free to travel as needed.  Complete scheduling flexibility.
  • Available June-October for short-term assignments  
PO Box 1851
Dania Beach, FL 33004
(305) 815-6496
Fred@yacht-captain.com
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(Last Updated 7 January 2012)