Meet the staff
The excitement levels are high around docks today as our Early Alpha program kicks off. Staff training has been completed and we are ready for a great summer. The staff who are working on the Early Alpha program bring a wealth of knowledge and bundles of enthusiasm.
Program Director: Mark Missirlian
Mark grew up on Long Island, NY, and started sailing at the age of 6. He was a student with Sail Caribbean’s Charlie program for three years and this is his third year as a staff member. Mark has just completed his undergraduate studies in Washington, DC, and has attained a degree in International Business. Mark will be attending graduate school in Boston this coming September to earn his Masters in International Business. Until then, he is the Program Director for the Early Alpha, Bravo, and Charlie fleets this summer.
Diving since age 10, Mark has always had a love for the water. He has earned his PADI Master Scuba Diver certification from Sail Caribbean Divers and has recently become a certified Diver Medical Technician. Mark also volunteers as an EMT on ambulances back in the States during the colder months. Mark is also heavily involved in the medical aspects, including training and development, at Sail Caribbean.
Mark’s favorite color is neon orange and he can’t seem to get enough of it. Make sure you wear sunglasses on orange day, because he will shine brighter than the sun!
Fleet Captain: Alan Gordon
Home for Alan is a little village on the Southern fringes of London, Great Britain, but he splits his time between the UK, Thailand, and the Caribbean. When home, he plays football – not soccer – with the lads and volleyball for Wimbledon VC in the Surrey and London leagues. He also spends a fair bit of his time working, doing everything from managing gyms and leisure centres, to teaching swimming and even stinting as a truck driver! When in Thailand, Alan spends most of his time under the water showing people around some of Koh Tao’s most exciting dive sites, with the wreck at Him Phi Wi or the inquisitive Cobia that live in Barracuda Rock at Chumphon as his favorite. Alan is working on opening a restaurant in Thailand when he returns there in the winter. Perhaps he will share some of his culinary talents with us on Early Alpha.
Provisions Manager: Clodagh Somers
On board Monet: Captain – Carly Busch, Mate – Kevin Bonnie
On board J Phauroum: Captain – Matt Machado & Mate Meg Leppicello
On board Sao Jorge: Captain – Phil Yudin & Mate – Maurice Bryson
Today was a long day traveling for most of our students but they have all settled in to their boat homes and enjoyed a Caribbean dinner of Chicken, Rice and coleslaw. Tomorrow is set to be a day full of new experiences and fun as we get out on the water. Watch this space for further staff bios and details of the Early Alpha program.
Please excuse us for the delay in posting this. We had a minor glitch in our system which we have now ironed out.
