Captain C. D. Harris M/Y Gale Winds An experienced and respected motor yacht captain, C.D. will be delighted to welcome you aboard the beautiful new Gale Winds.
As gracious as he is experienced, he holds a U.S. Coast Guard 1600-ton license, Master Oceans, and a U.S. Merchant Mariner Document (AB Special).
Growing up in a small town 100 miles north of Dallas, Texas, C.D. knew at an early age that he wanted to spend his life on the sea. As soon as he completed his schooling, he enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard and served for six years. His postings included working in law enforcement and drug interdiction, serving as training officer for enlistees, teaching boat handling and safety, and guiding crew in hazardous search-and-rescue missions.
C.D. began his yachting career nearly two decades ago as second officer on the well-known motor yacht The Highlander, owned at the time by Malcolm Forbes. From that auspicious start, he has continually increased his abilities and experience, and captained a number of prominent motor yachts over 100 feet in length before coming to Gale Winds.
Over the course of his career, he has come to know many of the best cruising grounds, including Florida and the U.S. East Coast, the Hudson River, the Bahamas, Caribbean, and Mediterranean.
When he is not traveling on the water, C.D. enjoys tinkering with intriguing forms of land transportation, including restoring antique automobiles and building custom motorcycles. He is also a golfer and a diver (he holds a P.A.D.I. license), and especially loves to spend time with his twin three-year-old son's in Florida.
Chef J. Blevins,
Has been onboard Gale Winds for over three years now amazing the owner and charter guests. Hailing from Annapolis, Maryland, J. has an extensive background in the hotel, catering & restaurant industry. His training includes various hotel’s including Hyatt, Loews, Sycamore Mineral Springs and running a successful family-owned catering business. Before joining Gale Winds, J. had been working in the fine dining and upscale Casual Dining industry as Chef sicne 1995.
Holding three degrees in professional cooking, baking and business management from Baltimore International Culinary college, J.’s passion for food has taken him from hotels in Maryland to Mineral Springs resort in California and special dietary needs for professional athletes training in Florida.
J’s polished and memorable repertoire reflects his broad knowledge of a variety of cuisines including Asian, “American Bistro” , Californian, and French fusion. His cooking is always creative and he uses only the freshest ingredients available ashore. From his experience with multiple aspects of food grew his ability to fulfill special requests with ease and pleasure, ensuring that guests are always more than delighted with their dining experiences aboard Gale Winds.
MATE: TREVOR MULKEY
After spending the winter wrapping up his career As a product specialists with Volkswagen, Trevor is back on Gale Winds. He originally joined CD and J in 2007 in new England. His in-depth knowledge Of boat maintenance, navigation and natural aptitude for engineering, makes him a valuable member of the team.
Trevor has spent most of his adult life on or around boats. Having owned sailboats for many of those years he learned to repaid and maintain all aspects of them as well as rebuilding any interior designs he found adequate. His love for life on the water surpasses his fascination with cars and motorcycles, both passions he shares with the Captain and Chef. He is an avid free diver and passionate about warm, tropical weather.
There is a wonderfully relaxed, playfulness about Trevor that makes him a pleasure to be
around. The guests appreciate his ability to spot the fun snorkeling, kayaking or exploration opportunities, as well as his enthusiasm to lead the adventures. Children and adults both feel safer and benefit from his experience. Trevor’s easy- going personality and team player style make him a pleasure to have around for the crew and the guests. M/Y Gale Winds is excited to have him back on the team.
STEWARDESS:
Kristen Engelmann
Kristen was born in Oconomowoc, Wisconsin, but moved to Clearwater, Florida when she was seven years old. Kristen learned to love the ocean at a very young age, and volunteered a lot of her time growing up working with marine animal.
She graduated from the University of Florida with her Bachelor’s degree in Environmental Science in 2006, and also studied abroad with Semester at Sea in 2005. Traveling around the world for 100 days on a cruise ship, she visited over ten countries.
Kirsten’s hospitality experience includes work in at a local country club assisting in high-end events. She has spent most of her time in yachting working in the Bahamas, but has also spent time cruising Alaska and the Pacific Northwest. She has enjoyed working as stewardess on many yachts including the 184’ MY Allegro, 1275’ Kisses and the `28’ Mia.
In her spare time Kristen loves snorkeling, scuba diving, traveling, and visiting her family and two dogs.
With her keen eye for detail and always-pleasant disposition Kirsten ensures that your vacation be an amazing and carefree experience
SECOND STEWARDESS:
JESSICA ENGELMANN
When Jessica graduated from the University of Florida in 2006, she knew exactly what she wanted…to work on a yacht and travel the world. Being drawn to the water since she was young, she received her SCUBA certification within weeks of turning twelve, and has since been diving in the Caribbean, Africa, and the United States. While in college, she sailed with UF’s Sailing Club, racing teams such as the Naval Academy and College of Charleston. In 2005, she and her twin sister, Kristen, traveled around the world together on the M/V Explorer with the Semester At Sea program, crossing three oceans and visiting Venezuela, Brazil, South Africa, Mauritius, India, Myanmar, Hong Kong, China, Vietnam, and Japan.
Jess’s career in yachting began in 2006 in Miami, Florida on the 126’ M/Y Dorothy Ann, taking her all over the Bahamas and Eastern Europe, visiting Italy, Croatia, and Montenegro. For the past year and a half, Jess worked as the Chief Stewardess/ Deckhand on the 110’ M/Y Island Time, an amazing charter yacht in, according to her, the most beautiful island chain in the world, the Exumas. An action-packed, fun, and incredible charter program, she served clientele from around the world, including wonderful families, celebrities, royalty, and businessmen and women that read like a Who’s Who in the World. She enjoyed throwing various theme dinner parties, including the family favorite, “Pirate Night” while anchored off the private island of the “Pirates of the Caribbean” star, Johnny Depp. She can also mix up your favorite summer cocktail in the blink-of-an-eye, from her fabulous Mojito to an island favorite Rum Rummer, she can make them all!
When Jess isn’t within ten feet of a marina, she enjoys cooking, reading, kayaking, camping, sports, and being outdoors. Last year she sailed for a week in the British Virgin Islands and hopes to one day sail around the world as the Captain on her own boat!
As your Stewardess onboard M/Y Gale Winds this summer, Jess’s enthusiasm and bright personality will provide everyone onboard with a delightful and memorable experience. Her flexible style will fulfill your every need to ensure you have an amazing trip. She loves to make people laugh and with her sister at her side there is sure fun to be had by all!