Captain Alexander (Sasha) began sailing in New York at the age of six. Graduating from MIT with a degree in Mechanical Engineering and the skills of a competitive sailor, he returned to Wall St. to develop analytic software. His quest for adventure drew him to travel throughout Europe, Siberia, and now to the Caribbean. As a result of this diverse background, Sasha speaks Russian, French, and Spanish, as well as a variety of obscure but essential computer languages. He's equipped to teach you the hottest new cocktail served in Manhattan or the skill of the ancient art of sailing. He is a licensed USCG Master Captain, certified ASA Sailing Instructor, and NAUI Divemaster.
Chef and First Mate Tara grew up on the lakes of Indiana. With an affinity for water sports, she trained with world champions and become a competitive water skier. Graduating with a B.S. in Elementary Special Education, she joined a youth sailing and SCUBA camp in the BVI as their NAUI SCUBA instructor, head of fleet provisioning and charter chef. Tara continued her passion for the culinary arts as an apprentice of Scottie Mole, one of Indiana's top chefs. Tara knows the islands well, from the nearest market to the most secluded dive sites and is looking forward to impressing guests with her secret recipes on-board or with fascinating adventures underwater.
Sasha and Tara have been sailing the British Virgin Islands for two seasons and they look forward to welcoming you aboard Soterion!
Guest Comments
I, along with my family were 100% pleased with every aspect of our trip from the first time you and my husband spoke months back, your email updates and reminders, to our last day aboard the Hypnautic (Sasha & Tara's previous crew position).
Tara and Sasha were great captains, chefs, tour guides, and friends for the week. The boat was very clean and comfortable.
Our itinerary was perfect. Sasha and Tara seemed to pick up quickly on what we enjoyed and took us to some amazing places. They were both very informative as to the information of the islands and each area they took us to.
We'll definitely recommend Sailing Directions and Sasha & Tara aboard Hypnautic to friends and family. Our hopes and dreams are to win the lottery so we can enjoy years of sailing vacations, if those perfect numbers come in for us, we'll be giving you a call soon.
Thanks for all your help, we had a great time!
Greg & Cathy R.
Sasha and Tara were not only friendly, attentive and accommodating, they were personable, congenial, caring, professional, very knowledgeable, easy-to-get-along-with, down-to-earth. They were wonderful!!
The food aboard Soterion was exceptional and the menu varied & beautifully presented. Tara's use of fresh products was always something to which we could look forward.
The itinerary in the BVIs was great. Sasha always knew the out-of-the way places and great places of interest and to snorkel. He guided us to some specific places we wanted to go and others from his own knowledge.
Betty R. |