LAUREL LEE

Captain: Tony Read

Nationality: RSA

We are a dynamic duo who both share a mutual love for the sea and sailing. Our combined skill sets and life experience align perfectly for crewed charter yacht operations. The energy we bring, the excellence of our work, and the joy we experience together ensure that each charter becomes a memorable and enjoyable experience for all.
We are Tony and Beth Read.
Tony, a Yachtmaster Offshore skipper with commercial endorsement, has sailed over 73,000 nm across the Atlantic, Caribbean, Mediterranean, and South Africa, gaining extensive chartering experience and thoroughly enjoying the journey!
Additionally, he holds a certification as a scuba diver with more than 50 logged dives. Tony's delightful sense of humor makes him a joy to be around and easy to connect with. His amiable nature quickly attracts people, leading to lasting friendships. With a safety-first approach, Tony is diligent in ensuring the maintenance of the boat and the well-being of his crew, and guests. Tony thrives on challenges and excels as a problem solver. Known for his creativity, he consistently devises innovative ideas and solutions.
Tony is married to Beth, a dedicated sailor and skilled 1st Mate & Chef. Their 20 years of sailing experience, including numerous short-handed races, has cemented their strong teamwork both on and off the water.
Running a successful business together, for the past decade, has given them insight into each other's strengths and how to support one another effectively. Beth, who has recently relocated to the Caribbean to join Tony, is thrilled at the opportunity to operate a crewed boat together, fulfilling their shared passion. She has a natural talent for various water sports, and is a proficient boat handler and teacher, showing great patience with guests eager to learn.
Beth is a versatile individual with a diverse skill set. Currently pursuing her RYA Yachtmaster Offshore certification, she also holds a Chef qualification and has a knack for maintaining yachts to impress guests.
Beth excels in provisioning and budgeting, tailoring menus to guests' preferences to consistently delight them. Her creativity in the galley make her adaptable to various eating styles and dietary needs. Her true talent lies in engaging with guests and organising exceptional vacations for them. Through her experience, Beth has learned that thorough pre-planning leads to smoother charters.
Alongside Tony, they collaborate with guests to create detailed and exciting itineraries while allowing for flexibility. They believe that successful charters require careful planning without sacrificing spontaneity.
Both adventurous spirits, Beth and Tony have a wealth of knowledge of the BVI but are always excited to discover new destinations. They take great pleasure in surprising guests with unique experiences and hidden gems along the journey, always seeking to delight and share often unexplored places.
Together, we make a cohesive team of dedicated hardworking South Africans, who take pride in our work. We also like to have fun while ensuring our guests feel welcomed and cherished. We are focused on providing exceptional service with a personal touch. Our approach is professional, yet relaxed and approachable, instantly putting guests at ease. We are known for our friendliness, patience, and above all, our dedication to ensuring our guests have a great time. With a core focus on hospitality and guest service, we thrive on hosting, entertaining, and serving others with joy.
Our goal is to exceed expectations and craft memorable experiences. We aim for service that goes above and beyond and we love seeing our guests enjoy themselves. We strive to add unexpected touches and follow up in unique ways to show guests they are valued and appreciated. We welcome honest feedback from our guests, focusing not only on our strengths but also on areas for improvement. We aim to ensure that our guests trust us to take care of them, and because we do, they often become loyal friends who return time and time again.
Mutual care and respect for each other are key factors contributing to our success as a working team. We prioritize looking out for each other, which significantly enhances our customer service quality, ensuring a seamless and positive experience for our guests. Presenting a unified front, our common desire is to value our guests and enhance their water-based experiences while on vacation.
Being active and health-conscious, we are enthusiastic about water sports, sailing, swimming, and fishing, By combining our talents, we have created an energetic, fun-loving, and professional team.
With our passion for the sea and dedication to our guests, we are looking forward to continuing to do what we do best and what makes us come truly alive, being at sea and sharing our expertise, knowledge, and passion with people interested in the natural, nautical lifestyle. We believe we offer a unique and memorable dynamic, to any charter experience.