ANNEX Yacht Charter — 17.7m Leopard sailing catamaran for 10 guests, with a crew of 3

The crew

Meet the crew

• Joe Swearingen

  Captain

  United States · English

  A lifelong dream. A shared adventure. A passion for life on the water. For Joseph and Laurie, the opportunity to live and work together aboard a luxury 58-foot catamaran in St. Thomas and the British Virgin Islands is the realization of a lifelong dream. They love the water, they love adventure, they love great food and beautiful surroundings—and most of all, they love sharing those experiences with other people. As a couple and a team, they bring very different strengths to the boat, but they share the same philosophy: Take care of the boat. Take care of the guests. Keep everyone safe. And make sure everyone has a fantastic time. Captain Joseph “Joe” Swearingen For Joe, a life on the water began long before becoming a professional captain. Growing up on Florida's East Coast, he was drawn to the ocean from an early age. Surfing, fishing, boating, and spending time around the water weren't simply hobbies—they became a way of life. Those early experiences developed into a deep understanding and respect for the ocean and ultimately shaped the seaman he is today. During high school, Joe became involved with the U.S. Coast Guard Auxiliary, where he developed his skills in seamanship, boating safety, and service to others. His ability and dedication earned him Crew and Coxswain qualifications, and his experience included situations where he helped bring people safely back to shore in difficult conditions. After high school, Joe continued his marine education at a prestigious marine institute in Orlando, Florida, where he graduated second in his class. Eventually making his home in the Outer Banks of North Carolina, Joe founded and successfully operated PRISTINE Marine, building a reputation for meticulous workmanship, marine expertise, and an unwavering commitment to doing things right. That philosophy is reflected in the name itself. Pristine represents the standard Joe brings to everything he does. His years working on boats throughout the Outer Banks gave him extensive hands-on experience maintaining vessels, troubleshooting systems, navigating challenging local waters, and helping keep boats operating safely and reliably. The waters around Oregon Inlet can be demanding, and Joe developed a reputation within the local maritime community for his ability to navigate challenging conditions, care for vessels, and get the job done when conditions were less than ideal. Joe's career has included extensive time as a first mate aboard fishing and charter vessels, along with operating sailing and power vessels of many sizes. He has served as mate and co-captain aboard a Seawind 1200 catamaran since 2020, operating approximately three to four charters per week for roughly eight months each year. His experience also includes approximately 20 offshore vessel deliveries on vessels ranging from 40 to 65 feet, along with extensive fishing-charter and offshore experience.

• Laurie Burel Flynn

  Chef / Mate

  United States · English

  Chef & First Mate Laurie Laurie's role aboard is a natural extension of what she has loved doing her entire life: cooking, entertaining, creating beautiful surroundings, and making people feel welcome. She raised a family of five and has spent decades cooking for family and friends, often finding herself with a house full of people and a table that somehow always needed to get a little bigger. Her hospitality experience also includes six years of hosting large charity events in her home benefiting Seattle Children's Hospital. These events included elegant five-course wine dinners featuring professional chefs. Laurie worked closely with the chefs to coordinate each course with the wines being served while managing the many details required to make each evening special. Laurie has also pursued culinary education through cooking classes at Blue Ribbon in Seattle and at a highly regarded cooking school in Italy. While much of her culinary experience has been self-taught, Laurie has spent decades cooking, entertaining, experimenting, and learning. She approaches food with genuine passion and a perfectionist's eye. She believes food should taste wonderful, look beautiful, and be served in a way that makes people feel special. Her friends have affectionately called her the “Hostess with the Mostest” for years. She takes pride in keeping the yacht beautiful, polished, organized, and inviting throughout the charter.

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  Deshawn Creque

  Co-Captain

  U.S. Virgin Islands · English

  Deshawn Creque

  Deshawn is a dedicated, highly motivated maritime professional with more than 15 years of experience in luxury yacht operations, marina management, vessel maintenance, guest services, charter operations, and marine leadership.