Summary
Overview
Work History
Skills
Timeline
Generic

Michael (Zack) Lanford

Granite Shoals,TX

Summary

Dependable Captain with experience and well-developed critical thinking, problem-solving and organizational skills. Exceptional communicator and team player trained in operating various sizes and styles of sailing vessels. Goes above and beyond to serve guests and promote loyalty.

Overview

6
6
years of professional experience

Work History

Owner/Captain

Ciao Bella
Saint Thomas, USVI
03.2024 - Current
  • Purchased and refit, Ciao Bella, a 41-foot ketch-rig sailboat to be used in Seabase, a Scouts of America program.
  • Trips consisted of 6 days around the island of St. John with Boy Scouts of America youth and adults.
  • Navigation of all outlying waters of St. John and St. Thomas.
  • Instructing youth and adults aboard on all skills related to sailing, including but not limited to: winch handling, sail trimming, hoisting all sails, sail repair, chart plotting, navigation, helmsman skills, snorkeling, free diving, anchoring, and mooring.
  • Maintenance of all systems onboard included, but not limited to:
  • Basic maintenance of a diesel engine, such as oil filter and fluid changes, fuel filter replacement, and draining water separator.
  • Diesel engine repair, such as starter replacement, oil cooler replacement, water pump/impeller replacement, fuel line replacement, fuel polishing, air bleeding from fuel line and injectors, alternator replacement, etc.
  • Replacement of running rigging as needed.
  • Inspection of all standing rigging and replace as needed.
  • Replace and rebuild hydraulic steering pumps.

Captain

Blue Dream Charters
Saint Thomas, USVI
11.2023 - 01.2024
  • Captain Jeanneau DS 54
  • Provided briefings to crew and passengers regarding all emergency procedures.
  • Assisted with maintenance checks of vessel components, such as engines, steering, generators, fuel, sails, etc.
  • Communicated effectively with passengers throughout the duration of the charter, providing swimming and snorkeling safety, as well as local knowledge and sightseeing.
  • Determined courses and schedules, and evaluated weather conditions to promote safety of passengers and crew.
  • Kept close eye on passengers and met all needs with care to promote satisfaction and repeat business.

Captain/Crew Member

Schooner Windsong
Norfolk, VA
04.2023 - 09.2023
  • Captain and crew aboard 1954 47 foot gaff rigged wooden Tancock Schooner
  • Navigate inland waters on the Chesapeake Bay providing guests with Half day, Full day and Sunset sails.
  • Discuss history of local attractions with guests.
  • Charted trips presail checking tides, winds and currents.
  • Followed all safety guidelines while operating equipment aboard a 1954 wooden two masted schooner.
  • Greeted customers upon arrival, provided hospitality and answered questions regarding vessel.
  • Provided excellent customer service to maintain a positive atmosphere for guests.
  • Participated in The Great Chesapeake Bay Schooner Race and took First in our class as well as beat many other boats in various classes.

Captian

Royall Caribbean
St. Thomas, USVI
06.2023 - 08.2023
  • Captain aboard Beneteau 43 Cyclades
  • Trips consisted of 6 days around the island of St. John with Boy Scouts of America youth and adults.
  • Navigation of all outlying waters of St. John and St. Thomas.
  • Instructing youth and adults aboard on all skills related to sailing, including but not limited to: winch handling, sail trimming, hoisting all sails, sail repair, chart plotting, navigation, helmsman skills, snorkeling, free diving, anchoring, and mooring.

Crew

Tallship Lynx
St. Simmons , GA
11.2022 - 12.2022
  • Shorthand crew on Tallship Lynx, 127 foot two masted schooner.
  • Duties included hoisting and setting sails, navigation, helmsman, and interacting with up to 60 guests per trip.

Owner/Operator

Self-employeed
09.2019 - 06.2022
  • Sailed over 5,000 nautical miles on my own private vessel, as well as unpaid crew on many other different styles of sailing vessels.
  • Bodies of water sailed on, but not limited to: three Gulf of Mexico crossings, rounding the tip of Florida to the Biscayne Bay, multiple offshore passages in the Atlantic Ocean, and the entire East Coast Intracoastal Waterway from the Florida Keys to Norfolk, Virginia.

Part Owner/Crew

AnaMaria Sailing Excursions
Kemah , TX
03.2019 - 09.2019
  • Developed and implemented company policies and procedures.
  • Developed marketing campaigns to promote the business's services.
  • Ensured compliance with applicable laws and regulations related to USCG and business compliance.
  • Promoted business on social media platforms to maximize brand identity and generate revenue.
  • Design, monitoring, and editing of the website specific to AnaMaria Sailing Excursions.
  • Acted as First Mate on all charters and excursions.

Skills

Skills beyond basic captain duties include but not limited to maintenance of all systems onboard;

  • Basic maintenance of a diesel engine, such as oil filter and fluid changes, fuel filter replacement, draining water separator
  • Diesel engine troubleshooting and repair, such as starter replacement, oil cooler replacement, water pump/impeller replacement, fuel line replacement, fuel polishing, bleeding air from fuel line and injectors, alternator replacement, etc
  • Basic maintenance and repair of outboard motors such as spark plug replacement, fuel filter replacement, oil filter and fluid change, lower unit fluid change, water pump/ impeller replacement, etc
  • Electronic wiring and troubleshooting of both DC and AC components, shore power, generators and batteries
  • Inspection and replacement of running rigging as needed
  • Inspection of all standing rigging and replace as needed
  • Replace and rebuild hydraulic steering pumps as well as bleed hydraulic system

Timeline

Owner/Captain

Ciao Bella
03.2024 - Current

Captain

Blue Dream Charters
11.2023 - 01.2024

Captian

Royall Caribbean
06.2023 - 08.2023

Captain/Crew Member

Schooner Windsong
04.2023 - 09.2023

Crew

Tallship Lynx
11.2022 - 12.2022

Owner/Operator

Self-employeed
09.2019 - 06.2022

Part Owner/Crew

AnaMaria Sailing Excursions
03.2019 - 09.2019

Similar Profiles

CREATE PROFILE
Michael (Zack) Lanford