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Portside – the Staff Newsletter for Seas the Day Charters (june 2025)

JUNE 2025

Message from the Mommalogo, company name Hope   

Good Day Captains and Crew,

As we sail into July, the hear of our summer season, I want to take a moment to reflect on how far we’ve come and share the excitement I feel about what lies ahead. The past few months have been a whirlwind of innovation, expansion, and teamwork.

Seas the Day 2.0 is about refocusing on our values, our teamwork and your commitment to professional seamanship that helped us become the leading private day charter company in the USVI.  Each of you plays a vital role in continuing that tradition.

We’ve introduced new services, strengthened our guest relationships and welcomed new leaders to our company who will help elevate our operations. It’s clear we are not just growing in guest interactions/charters—but with our internal strength, unity and purpose.

Let’s keep our sails full, our spirits high and our vision clear. I look forward to seeing all of you on the water or at the docks.

And now, for the fun stuff to showcase your talents and stellar guest services!

With heartfelt gratitude,
– Hope Stawski
AcquaDiva, Seas the Day USVI

June 2025 Results

We are proud to communicate that our impressive performance with year over year growth is continuing.  Year to date we have performed 944 charter trips for more than 5000 guests.  The coconut telegraph indicates that most boat charter companies are experiencing double-digit declines.  Seas the Day Charters USVI is happy to report yet another month of year over year growth.

  • Total Trips Performed: 199 trips averaging 6.6 trips per day
  • Total Guests Served: 1164 gueststext
  • Guest Satisfaction Score: 99.9% (4 or 5 star reviews)
  • Revenue Growth: +2.25%
  • Fleet Uptime: 75%.  Negatively affected by SY Leviathan being out of service (now returned) and MV Poseidon being out of service; to return in October of 2025 with new engines, new paint, new decking.

Welcome Our New Operations Manager – James Ibanez

We are thrilled to welcome back James Ibanez as a man smiling for the cameraour new Operations Manager!

James previously served as captain with us in 2021 and now returns with over 12 years of experience in diverse maritime roles. His extensive background ensures that guest  relations remain a top priority, while maintaining a firm handle on marine logistics. James is already hard at work enhancing our operations across the board. His leadership will help deliver a constructive environment, streamline scheduling, and strengthen coordination between land and sea.

He’s also excited to continue getting to know the team and build strong working relationships as we move forward together.

CongratLauren Jones et al. posing for the cameraulations to Our New Senior Master Captain – Alex Gloe

Please join us in congratulating Alex Gloe on being promoted to Senior Master Captain! Alex has been a vital part of our

team, known for his incredible seamanship, calm under pressure and ability to make every trip unforgettable.

As Senior Master, Alex will now help lead captain and crew training, vessel readiness, vessel cleaning standards and regulatory compliance. We’re excited to have his guidance shaping the next generation of captains at Seas the Day.

He will be instrumental in being your sounding board and welcomes all new ideas to make the boats and the charters better.  Welcome Captain Alex and thank you for accepting the challenge as we continue to build on our past successes.

New Tour Launch: The Sunset Veuve Clicquot Charter

Departure: 5:00 PM departure from American Yacht Harbor

a sunset behind a boat

Vessels: SY Leviathan and SY Sirena

Launching in June, the Sunset Veuve Clicquot Charter is a 2-hour luxury evening escape designed for romance and relaxation. It includes:

  • A bottle of Veuve Clicquot
  • Cheese Board
  • Our standard beverage offerings
  • Iconic Caribbean sunset views

Once we have achieved a critical mass of reviews and a targeted Search Engine Optimization (SEO) score and rank, we will begin promoting this charter aggressively.  Captains and Crew enjoy a half day pay rate for the two hour charter, plus there are no stops!!

Spotlight on a woman smiling next to a body of waterService

Alicia Koval – OG and Informal Head Mermaid

As our Original (Boat) Gangster and my Head Mermaid, I can’t thank Alicia enough for her talents, always positive attitude, assistance to management and insight into what we can do better to make your lives better. During a particularly busy charter week and much more than once, Alicia went above and beyond to ensure each guest felt welcome and cared for. Her calm, upbeat attitude and attention to detail continuously earns her high praise and multiple positive reviews. Alicia, you set the gold standard for hospitality and we all strive to show your spirit on the water as well as on land.

Brent Johnson – Repair & Maintenance Mechanic Extraordinaire

Brents carries a mindset that ensures he always keeps it cool. His composure and calm energy sets the tone for proper fleet maintenance. He has quietly and consistently ensured our fleet is seaworthy, safe and operating at peak performance. This month, he personally addressed a series of urgent mechanical issues ahead of schedule, keeping tours running smoothly. Thank you, Brent, for being a reliable and knowledgeable force behind the scenes and for always showing a bright side when these breakdowns occur.

Crew Referral Program – Earn 10% and Choose Your Charter!

We’re excited to re-launch our Guest Referral Incentive Program exclusively for captains and crew for all new guests booking a charter.

If you refer a guest who books a private charter with Seas the Day, you’ll receive:

  • 10% Commission on the final sale price
  • Guaranteed Crew Assignment on the referred charter if you’re available

How it works:

  1. Share your unique referral link or you may book directly on the guests behalf.
  1. When the charter is confirmed and executed, you’ll be credited with the commission.  Commission is paid monthly, the second pay date of the month.
  2. You’ll have the option to crew the charter, pending scheduling availability.

This is a great way to increase your income and create memorable experiences with people you already know. Talk about a win-win!

For more info or to get you setup, contact: [email protected]

Training & Safety Updates

Let’s continue to keep our standards high:

  • Pre-departure checklists must be completed before every tour
  • Ensure all life jackets and first-aid kits are stocked and ready
  • MOB drills monthly
  • Reminder.  The importance of cleaning the waterline daily can not be overstated.  This includes the tenders.

Crew Culture Corner

We have budgeted and committed for a Monthly Culture Club experience; for all the Seas the Day family.  We are open to ideas, but here’s what we came up with for fun things to do!  If you have any ideas, please send them to [email protected].

  • Hassel Island Historical Tour
  • Pedicures on the Patio
  • Live Like a Tourist (my favorite~we all dress up as tourist on a non-cruise ship evening and do a bar crawl)
  • Potluck at the Pool at Magens Hideaway- we provide the main, you bring a tasty dish and a beverage to share. All Welcome!
  • STJ for hangout – pay for passenger ferry tickets
  • Game night/ Go to restaurant – order apps for everyone – people bring their favorite board or card games – find a place that will allow us to do this
  • 30min – 1hr Beach clean –– prize for biggest haul –lunch afterwards

History Corner:  Exploring the Rich History of Virgin Islands National Park

I feel certain each of you have so much to share about our Virgin Island history and I would love for everyone to email me your thoughts or even a video of you sharing your Pearls of History with your guests. Behind how incredible each of you are with our guests and the “rum punch that packs a punch”, our guests comment on how you each share our beautiful culture and history of the islands with them! It’s such an honor to read about your passion for not just our sea friends, but of our culture!

So, Did You Know…

Ancient Roots

St. John has been inhabited for over 3,000 years. The earliest known settlers were the Ortoiroid people, followed by the Arawaks and later the Taíno, who left behind petroglyphs and other archaeological remnants. These indigenous cultures thrived on the island’s abundant natural resources, developing complex societies long before European contact.

Colonial Era and the Plantation Economy

In 1718, the Danish claimed St. John, establishing a plantation economy reliant on enslaved African labor. The island became a significant producer of sugar, with plantations like Annaberg and Cinnamon Bay operating large-scale sugar mills. The harsh conditions led to the 1733 slave rebellion, one of the earliest and longest lasting in the Caribbean, where enslaved Africans rose against their oppressors, temporarily taking control of the island.

After the abolition of slavery in 1848, the plantation economy declined. The Danish government had a 12-year plan for gradual emancipation, but a major slave revolt on St. Croix in 1848, combined with the continuous escape of enslaved people to nearby British islands where slavery had already been abolished, prompted Governor General Peter Von Scholten to declare immediate emancipation across the Danish West Indies on July 3, 1848.

The post-emancipation period saw a significant decline in St. John’s population as former enslaved people often moved away from the abandoned plantations, turning to small-scale subsistence farming.

Interesting Fact: While the rebellion was ultimately suppressed, it demonstrated incredible courage and resilience, and its impact resonated throughout the Caribbean, contributing to the broader anti-slavery movement. One of the key leaders of the rebellion was an enslaved woman named Breffu, often referred to as the “Queen of St. John.”

Transition to Preservation

Fast forward to the 20th century, Laurance Rockefeller played a pivotal role in preserving St. John’s natural beauty. In 1956, he donated approximately 5,000 acres to the U.S. government, leading to the establishment of Virgin Islands National Park. Today, the park covers about 60% of the island, protecting its diverse ecosystems and historical sites.

More Historical Facts:

Danish Purchase by the U.S.: In 1917, during World War I, the United States purchased the Danish West Indies (including St. John, St. Thomas, and St. Croix) from Denmark for $25 million in gold. This was primarily a strategic move to prevent Germany from establishing a naval base in the region. The islands were then renamed the U.S. Virgin Islands.

Coral Bay vs. Cruz Bay: While Cruz Bay is the vibrant main commercial center and port today, Coral Bay was actually St. John’s original and main settlement in the 1700s, serving as a key hub for shipping sugar and molasses.

Unique Language: For a significant period, particularly during Danish colonial rule, Dutch and Dutch Creole became the “lingua franca” of St. John and the other Danish islands, reflecting the strong influence of Dutch planters in the early settlement.

Filming Location: St. John’s stunning landscapes have attracted filmmakers, with the island serving as a backdrop for movies like Open Water (2003), Weekend at BerniesI” (1993). The Curious Case of Benjamin Button (2008), 1492: Conquest of Paradise (1992), The Big Blue (1988), Christopher Columbus: The Discovery (1992), and Caged in Paradiso (1990)

Wild Donkeys and Boar: You’ll often see wild donkeys roaming the island, descendants of those brought over centuries ago for plantation work. Less commonly seen, but also present, are wild boar, which contribute to the island’s unique ecosystem.”

Final Word

Thank you for making Seas the Day the best marine experience in the Virgin Islands. Whether you’re crewing a charter, coordinating dockside logistics or maintaining the fleet, your contributions make Seas the Day truly exceptional and abundantly special.

We’re grateful to have a crew that lives the brand every day.

– The Team at Seas the Day USVI

 

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