LA SIRENA

Captain: Dustin Bumgardner

Nationality: American

Dustin knew at a young age that his entire life was going to revolve around the ocean, so much so that he attended California Maritime Academy and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in Marine Transportation with a minor in Marine Engineering. Upon graduating he immediately signed on as Third Officer aboard the 495’ oil tanker, Baltimore, navigating the waters from British Columbia in the Pacific to New England and everywhere in between, including 2 passages through the Panama Canal.

It was during a visit to the shipyard in Veracruz, Mexico when he met the love of his life and future wife, Citlalli Nicolas Vazquez. Suddenly the ocean was no longer his one true love. Now he had to find a way to continue working on the ocean with Citlalli “Alli” by his side. It was then that he decided to transition to dive boats, moving to Hawaii to captain the live-aboard dive vessel, Kona Aggressor II, in the hopes Alli would be able to join him in Hawaii. It was there that Dustin became a PADI professional and fell in love with teaching scuba diving.

Alli was born in the commercial port of Veracruz, Mexico. Even though she was near the water most of her life she didn’t learn how to swim until the age of 23! Her childhood was spent mostly in the kitchen with her mother helping her bake bread for her pastry business. If Alli wasn’t helping in the kitchen she was singing and performing as a traditional folkloric dancer representing the customs of Mexico. As a child Alli's parents would play American rock and roll music, something that helped her learn English and started her love of different cultures and different languages.

In 2006, Alli graduated college with a degree in foreign languages and became an English teacher. She taught kindergarten through elementary school for 3 years until a ship carrying her future husband arrived to port and her life changed forever.

In 2010 Alli left her home and everything she knew to work side by side with Dustin as a Stewardess and later as a Chef. During that time she became an avid swimmer, a PADI Advanced Open Water Diver, and even a Level 1 Freediver! When she is not in the galley she loves taking guests on snorkeling adventures.

In 2011 Alli and Dustin were blessed with the opportunity to embark as a team aboard the yacht, TOROA. "TOROA has taken us over 50,000 nautical miles and over 20 countries, all while allowing us to develop our skills as professional mariners and excellent stewards of our vessel and our environment."


In 2018 Alli became a US citizen and in 2021 she became a US Coast Guard licensed Captain, two of her proudest accomplishments.

"We are proud of what we have achieved as Captain and crew of TOROA. Working with the same owner for almost 12 years has proven our ability to maintain a luxury yacht to the highest standards whilst building a trusting relationship with owner and guests. We take pride in our work and look forward to proving that on our next command of a luxury sailing catamaran."


Captain Dustin Bumgardner

QUALIFICATIONS

USCG Third Mate Unlimited Ton (RET) USCG MASTER 200 Ton
International Certificate of Competency (IDC)
RYA Day Skipper
American Red Cross Adult and Pediatric First Aid/CPR/AED Provider
PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor


Chef Alli Bumgarnder

QUALIFICATIONS

USCG Master 100 Ton
STCW Basic Safety Training
RYA Sailing Competent Crew
American Red Cross Adult & Pediatric First Aid CPR/AED Provider
Mega Yacht Interior Operations
Flower Arrangement & Care
PADI Advanced Open Water
Free Diver Level 1