I LOVE THIS BOAT

<p>Born June 30, 1972, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Chadwick “Chad” Harlan spent his childhood splitting time between city streets and the country roads of South Carolina—racing bicycles and motorcycles by day, and learning to sail with his father by age 12. Early regattas on the lakes of NC, SC, and Georgia ignited his passion for both racing monohulls and offshore adventures; at 17, he completed his first Kalua Cup offshore race out of Clearwater, Florida. After earning his USCG 200/500-ton Master’s credential, STCW certification, and a PADI Rescue Diver ticket—alongside some college studies—Chad pursued a successful career as a carpenter and project manager in San Diego, all while cruising the U.S. West Coast on a family sailboat. Twenty-one years ago, he and his wife traded shore-based life for charter yachting, launching a voyage that’s taken him across six vessels and thousands of nautical miles. As Captain, Chad brings calm decisiveness and expert seamanship to every passage. His résumé includes command of I Love This Boat, Pegasus IX, Brandi Wine, Captiva, Zingara, and Pure Puur—each charter operation underpinned by his high-standard leadership, meticulous navigation, and genuine love of hosting. Onboard duties range from helm and watch‐keeping to guest briefings, safety drills, and coordinating deck and interior teams. Fluent in English and backed by decades of hands-on experience, Chad ensures that every detail—from docking procedures to day-to-day vessel maintenance—is executed with precision and professionalism. Off duty, Chad is an avid motorcyclist and world traveler who finds joy in the journey as much as the destination. Whether plotting an over-landing route through Australia’s Outback or exploring the wild sealife of the Pacific Northwest, he thrives on new experiences and stories worth sharing. He loves swapping travel tales with guests over sunset cocktails and teaching them the thrill of two wheels whenever the opportunity arises. His ultimate goal? To keep “pushing” boundaries—seeking fresh adventures at sea and on land, while crafting charter experiences so memorable that guests return year after year.</p>

<p>Education/Certifications: 200ton master, scuba advanced open waters</p><p>Matt grew up in Central Florida, spending most of his time on the water. From rowing crew to bass fishing and boating, life on the water has always been a big part of who he is. Before entering the yachting industry seven years ago, Matt worked in hospitality and brought much of that experience into the charter yachts he has worked on, helping create enjoyable and memorable experiences for guests.</p><p>Matt is responsible for maintaining the yacht’s exterior, ensuring everything on deck is always kept in top condition and is also known for bringing the action onboard, often returning with a freshly caught fish and a story to tell. Guests hoping to enjoy a delicious, self-caught dinner during their charter have certainly come to the right boat – I LOVE THIS BOAT. He enjoys helping guests experience the thrill of fishing, and his goal for every charter is to land at least one wahoo. One of his favorite charter destinations is the Exumas, where the fishing is as exciting as the scenery.</p><p>In his free time, Matt enjoys fishing, driving, and seeking out new adventures. His long-term goal is to one day run his own motor yacht.</p><p>His life motto: “Always expect the unexpected.”</p>

<p>Born August 3, 1971 in the sailing capital of the world—Rhode Island—Steven Gondusky “Steve” grew up with the ocean as his back door. By age 12 he’d already taken command of family dinghies, and weekends were spent windsurfing, skateboarding, downhill skiing—and sprinting to Brown University track-camp medals in the 100 m and 800 m dashes. After a brief foray into mechanical engineering studies, Steve knew he belonged at sea: in 2000 he launched a career that’s spanned 25 years, seven of which have been aboard charter yachts.</p><p>Armed with a degree in Marine Systems Engineering, ABYC certifications in electrical and refrigeration, a USCG DDE 4000 endorsement, STCW (advanced firefighting & fast rescue), VPDSD, and ENG1 medical clearance, Steve is the go-to problem-solver below decks. As Engineer on I Love This Boat, he keeps every system humming—from electronics and reefers to watermakers and hydraulics—while donning a “can-do” attitude and pitching in wherever needed. His positive energy and willingness to lend a hand to every department ensure the yacht is always in better shape than when he arrived.</p><p>When he’s off duty, you’ll find Steve honing his martial-arts belt ranks, tinker­ing on invention prototypes, or planning adventures with his young daughter. He’s an accomplished scuba diver, martial-arts coach, and marine technician who loves teaching everything from watersports techniques to electrical troubleshooting. Whether he’s swapping travel tales from the Bahamas, Mediterranean, New England, Pacific, or his favorite charters in the Bahamas and BVI, Steve’s mission is the same: to leave guests feeling relaxed, inspired to explore beyond their expectations, and eager to return. His guiding mantra? Kaizen—“strive for the best”—because on land or sea, continuous improvement makes every voyage extraordinary.</p>

<p>Lexi grew up in Southern California and later moved to North Carolina, where she earned a Bachelor’s Degree in Business with a concentration in Finance. After beginning her professional career in the corporate world, she took a leap into yachting four years ago and quickly found her calling. Starting as a Second Stewardess, Lexi was promoted to Chief Stewardess within seven months and has since worked onboard LEGENDARY, MA1ZY GIRL, PROBABILITY, LUCKY LADY and VIVACE before joining I LOVE THIS BOAT.</p><p>As Chief Stewardess, Lexi combines high standards with a warm, energetic approach. She prides herself on staying one step ahead of her guests while creating an atmosphere where everyone can relax and have fun. She particularly loves creating memorable theme nights and wants every guest to leave feeling completely taken care of, with plenty of unforgettable memories from their time onboard.</p><p>Outside of yachting, Lexi enjoys working out, yoga, golf and spending time at the beach. She is also an experienced dancer and previously taught both ballroom and hip-hop dancing, a talent she is always happy to share. An avid traveller and PADI-certified diver, Lexi’s favourite cruising destination is the Abacos in The Bahamas.</p>

<p>Education/Certifications: Bachelor of Arts Business Management, PDSD, Food Hygeine Level 2</p><p>Growing up in a small county in Virginia called Fluvanna, Samantha was really close with her sister and her happily married parents. While in high school, she was involved in school government, played tennis and continued it into college even being captain of her sophomore and junior year.</p><p>She began her yachting career in 2024 after realizing that an office job following college was not the right fit for her. Already familiar with Florida through a college friend living in Miami, she decided to make the move and pursue a career in yachting about a year after graduating. Since entering the industry, she has gained valuable charter experience aboard M/Y ROMEO FOXTROT, M/Y TROCA ONE, and M/Y MOONSTONE. She currently serves as Second Stewardess aboard M/Y I LOVE THIS BOAT.</p><p>She aspires to become a great Chief Stewardess one day, leading an interior team with the same skill and dedication she has admired in her past mentors. She hopes to give back to the yachting industry as it has given to her. Samantha’s goal for guests is to feel as though they are in a home away from home – relaxed, connected with family and friends, and able to create meaningful memories.</p><p>She loves hot yoga and Pilates, which are her favorite ways to work out. She also enjoys baking and often makes muffins for the crew on weekends. Recently, she has also been exploring videography as a creative outlet.</p><p>Her life motto is: “We are products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners of it. We’re shaped by our past, but not trapped by it. Every day is a fresh start – learn the lesson, release the weight, and keep moving forward.”</p>

<p>Education/Certifications: Bachelor Degree in Culinary Arts at the Culinary Institute of Puebla-Mexico, MBA in Luxur Brand Management at the IFA Academy in Paris – France and Shanghai – China, Ships Cook Certificate, STCW95, ENG1</p><p>Adrian was born in Veracruz, Mexico, as the youngest of three brothers and a sister. He grew up immersed in a culture defined by coffee farming, Spanish heritage, and seafood of the Gulf of Mexico. Inspired by his grandmother’s<br>kitchen and early jobs in local restaurants, he pursued a culinary career that led him to London as a Sous Chef and then to Valencia, Spain, where he became a Head Chef.</p><p>He later joined The Ritz-Carlton in Naples, Florida, as a Garde Manger Chef, overseeing culinary banquets and earning Leader of the Quarter honors. Always attracted by the ocean, he wanted to try a different path in his career,<br>influenced by a Yacht Chef who was leaving his position on a yacht and offered him to fulfill his role in 2010. Since then, he has worked on private and charter vessels such as M/Y TANZANITE, M/Y THE B&B, M/Y MAGIC, M/Y BACCHANAL, and is currently onboard M/Y I LOVE THIS BOAT.</p><p>As a Yacht Chef, Adrian’s greatest asset is his global experience as a Head Chef across a range of high-end kitchens and luxury yachts. Sustainability and creativity are at the core of his philosophy, and he is passionate about building a network of artisanal producers and, in time, aims to develop a farm-to-table concept that supports local communities while connecting them with the yachting industry. Adrian takes particular pride in his provisioning logistics, excelling at sourcing premium ingredients even in remote locations. He ensures that, from the first day to the tenth, the quality and freshness of produce remain consistently exceptional. He is also very mindful when it comes to budget management, reliable under pressure, and most importantly, always a team player within his crew.</p><p>He loves to mix nutritional wellness and luxury dining, with Mediterranean cuisine being a strong point and a love for preparing high-quality sushi. Rather than focusing on a single specialty, he considers adaptability to be his greatest<br>strength. With years in private service, he approaches dietary requirements not as limitations but as creative opportunities to explore delicious cuisine across all preferences, including gluten-free, vegan, and other specialized diets. His goal is for the guests to leave the charter feeling physically revitalized and emotionally inspired, having been able to taste the best of the region with personalized cuisine.</p><p>In his personal life, he enjoys soccer and Formula 1, but his favorite hobby is exploring new restaurants, drawing inspiration and fresh ideas for his future menu creations.</p><p>Motto that he lives by: “Refined flavors, zero restrictions.“ It refers to situations when sometimes, as Yacht Chefs, they are in the middle of the ocean and there is no “running to the store,” so he always thinks they should be prepared for<br>anything.</p>

<p>Jack grew up on the water in Charleston, South Carolina, where boating has been part of his life since the age of eight. After finishing high school, he worked at a marina before pursuing a professional career in yachting. Over the past year, Jack has gained experience onboard M/Y FALCON, M/Y OSTRA and now I LOVE THIS BOAT.</p><p>As Deckhand, Jack brings a strong work ethic and a genuine willingness to help wherever he is needed onboard. He prides himself on giving 110% and supporting the wider crew across departments. Having cruised throughout The Bahamas and the Exumas, he particularly enjoys being on the water and helping create a seamless and memorable experience for guests.</p><p>Outside of work, Jack enjoys scuba diving, working out and boat detailing, which he considers one of his greatest passions. Young, energetic and eager to continue learning, Jack has ambitious plans for his future in the industry, with the long-term goal of becoming a charter broker and eventually establishing his own firm.</p>