BRANDI WINE

Mate: Matthew Edwards

Matt was born and raised in Virginia Beach. From there he grew up on boats and was always in the water. When he wasn’t in the water he was playing football. After High school he realized his passion was for the open ocean and pursued a career on yachts. He was a deckhand for 2 years on a private yacht where he traveled up and down US Atlantic coast from Rhode Island to Grand Bahama. Soon after he discovered the action packed adventures of charter yachts. He’s completed one season on Brandi Wine and is looking forward to many more.

Captain: Blake Sellers

Born in Myrtle Beach, SC, where he lived on the Intracoastal Waterway, Blake’s dream was always to become a yacht captain. He spent time on his family’s runabout boats, wakeboard boats, and jet skis learning how everything operated. He was always on the water every chance he got and would wakeboard, kneeboard, tube, water ski, wake surf, and jet ski together with his two older brothers. Starting out as a mate for TowBoatUS he started in the yachting industry delivering vessels in order to gain his Sea Time and Captain’s License. Blake worked his way up from a 54ft Motor yacht, to a 76ft Lazzara, to a 124’ Trinity, and now to the 114ft Hargrave Brandi Wine.

Captain Blake currently holds his 200 Ton USCG Masters Near Coastal/500 Ton ITC, STCW trained, and Auxiliary Towing Endorsement. He looks forward to having you aboard Brandi Wine where you will be greeted with one of the best crews in the industry ensuring you a safe and wonderful vacation. Captain Blake’s motto for the yachting industry is “always chase your dreams, because if you can dream it, you can do it”

Chef: Jeff Ciucevich

Chef Jeff Ciucevich is an award-winning chef from Athens, Georgia. Ciucevich started cooking at an early age with fond memories of picking vegetables and shelling peas from the garden with his grandmother, where he gets a lot of his inspiration. This led him to the reputable Johnson and Wales University in Charleston, South Carolina. After graduating with an associate’s degree in Culinary Arts and a bachelor’s degree in Hotel Restaurant Institutional Management he accepted the job managing the four diamond restaurant at Kiawah Island Golf Resort. Ciucevich managed the restaurant for two years and decided it was time to shed the suit and tie and get back in the kitchen. He moved to Puerto Rico, headed a few restaurants as chef before finding his niche as a yacht chef fifteen years ago which has taken him all over the Caribbean, Central America, California, Alaska and the entire east coast. Chef Jeff enjoys spending time with his dog, family and friends, playing guitar and cooking. He has worked on numerous boats including Serenity-116’ and 133’, (same owner), Kipany-116’ , Independence 2-105’ Silverado-120’ , and many more. Allow Chef Jeff’s tantalizing flavors to provide you with an unforgettable culinary experience!

Stewardess: Kathryn O' Brien

Kat is originally from Atlanta Ga, but is now based between Fort Lauderdale FL and Nassau Bahamas. She graduated from Georgia Southern University with a degree in Public Relations & Hospitality Management. From there she started a career in wedding and event planning, but her love for the ocean drew her to yachting. In the industry going on 5 years now she has had the opportunity to work on both private and charter vessels, mainly based out of south Florida and the Bahamas. Prior to Brandiwine:

(M/Y Kemosabe - 112’ Westport)

(BIG E - 64’ Viking Sportfish)

(M/Y Wonder - 120’ Crescent)

Truly passionate about the industry, she pours her heart and soul into every charter with the goal of making each better than the last.

Deckhand: Obie Hanna

Obie is from Nassau, Bahamas, and has a wife and 3 daughters at home. He started his yachting career as a diver and exterior dayworker cleaning many vessels throughout the marinas in Nassau whether they be passing through or staying for trips. He made a name for himself in the yachting industry in Nassau doing what he loves. He is now based out Nassau, Bahamas and Fort Lauderdale, FL and is the full time deckhand on Brandi Wine. He is starting his 1st full season on Brandi Wine, and having his local knowledge of his home country and his skill set of diving and spear fishing on board is a special treat for our guests. He has been in yachting for 3 years now. Some of his favorite hobbies and activities are diving, spear fishing, and most importantly is spending quality time with his wife and kids