Captain Dave Hedgepeth has been at home on the water since the age of 10, when he first learned to sail along the Potomac River and Chesapeake Bay. After graduating from the Texas Maritime Academy in 1980, he worked his way up the USCG licensing ladder to earn his Master, Unlimited Tonnage, Oceans and 100-Ton Sail Licenses. He spent 24 years at sea—including 15 years as a Ship Master and several years commanding dynamically positioned marine construction vessels—before transitioning ashore to lead management and budgetary operations in the marine industry. Since 2020, Captain Dave has brought his lifelong maritime expertise full circle, operating charter boats and passing on his skills as a sailing instructor.

Captain Michelle discovered her passion for the water in high school, setting her on a lifelong maritime path that led to her graduation from the Texas Maritime Academy in 1994. Over her career, she advanced through the USCG licensing structure to earn her Master, Unlimited Tonnage, Oceans and 100-Ton Sail Licenses, eventually commanding a dynamically positioned drill ship before coming ashore. In addition to her extensive offshore and international sailing experience, Captain Michelle is an ABYC Certified Marine Surveyor. Today, she shares her wealth of expertise as an experienced sail instructor, specializing in leading our Ladies Only Sailing Courses.