LOVEBUG Yacht Charter

Captain: Rob Saunders

CAPTAIN: Rob Saunders
BIO: Captain Rob began his love for boating at the age of 5 with his family on Buzzards Bay. Fishing, sailing and wakeboarding were his favorite activities through the years, which expanded his knowledge of New England and its surrounding waters. In his early teenage years his family owned a boat building, transport, and upholstery company, where he continued his education of systems onboard. Through his later teenage years he began working at the Beverly Yacht Club as a tender driver, where he became enthralled by close quarters maneuvering and sail boat racing. He attended North East Maritime Institute in Fairhaven, Massachusetts, which helped him make his decision to work on private yachts as a professional crew member. Attaining his Master's License in 2011, he has traveled and gained cruising experience from the East Coast to Main region, New England waters, the East Coast of Florida, the US West coast waters, Central America including the Panama Canal, the Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean. With this experience he has gained the knowledge and skills to be a confident Master. Rob was also involved with the major refit of a 94' Ferretti Motoryacht that was successfully brought to charter. His extensive yacht handling experience and cruising experience has evolved to providing a seamless and luxurious experience for guests aboard.

Previous Yachts: 98' Princess "LADY COPE", 94' Feretti "SEA SPRAY", 95' Broward "GOLDEN RULE", 64' Azimut "FLTX"
Waters Cruised: New England, Bahamas, Florida, US West Coast, Central America including the Panama Canal, Gulf of Mexico and the Caribbean
Licenses/Certificates: US Master 200/500 ITC, Divemaster, Medical care provider
Hobbies: Sailing, Diving, and Wake-Surfing


CHEF: Drew Kannapel
Nationality - American
BIO: Drew grew up in the true south - Louisville, KY where he started off earning a Bachelor's degree in Psychology from the University of Kentucky. He has always loved being on the water and felt a yearning for traveling to more exotic places, so by 2017 he set off for adventures throughout Europe including Austria and Italy where he eventually obtained a "Master of Italian Cuisine" at the Italian Culinary Institute for Foreigners. Although Drew is somewhat new to the yachting industry, he is well versed over 10 years in the hospitality industry at home and abroad.


FIRST OFFICER: John Sheck
Nationality- American
BIO: John grew up in central Florida between the East and the West coast, also known as the chain of lakes. This fueled his passion for boating as he began fishing and diving both coasts of Florida at a young age. A few of John's hobbies include motocross, snowboarding, fishing, free diving, scuba diving, and multiple water sports. He moved to Fort Lauderdale, FL in 2018 to start his training and pursue his passion in yachting. Having spent the last few years traveling between New England and the Exumas, John has the skills needed to ensure an awesome and safe trip. On his off time you can find him at the motocross tracks, on the ski slopes or on the water with his friends and family.



CHIEF STEWARDESS: Ashley Smothers
Nationality- American
BIO: Ashley Smothers was born and raised in upstate New York working for various upscale country clubs, Casinos and restaurants. Living near the Great Lakes she was an avid boater and fisherman. Being brought up in a snow belt she decided to move to Florida to escape the cold. Starting in the yachting industry over 9 years ago she has been working and traveling for private yachts and estates. She's sailed up and down the East coast of the U.S. from Maine down to Key West, Bahamas and the Caribbean on anything from a 220 Hessen to a 75ft Marquee. She’s worked in lavish estates on Embassy Row in Washington DC, Wilmington NC and South Beach Miami for high end celebrities and the wealthy. Having experience abroad in Italy, Spain and France she can pretty much handle anything you through her way. She takes pride in impeccable service and looks forward to making everyone's stay on Lovebug a pleasurable and memorable experience.



DECKHAND: Jenna Meurer
Nationality - American
BIO: Jenna grew up in Wisconsin where she discovered her love for boating on the Great Lakes. After studying abroad in college, she knew she had a strong passion for traveling which led her path towards a career on the water. In the winter of 2019 she moved to Fort Lauderdale to start working on yachts and hasn’t looked back since. She’s completed multiple seasons in different parts of the world ranging from the Caribbean to South of France, and back to New England. On her days off, she spends time working out, reading, scuba diving, doing water sports, catching up with friends and family, and hanging out with her Bengal kitten.



ENGINEER: TBC