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Capt. Sopata’s Credentials:
LICENSES
OBJECTIVE: Assist your sailing program in exceeding your goals. From peaceful cruising and well planned destination stops, to deliveries and maximizing the performance of your racing yacht. Preference for an active, international itinerary. No issues stepping back from Captain’s role assist with Mate or Deckhand duties; especially to learn from an extremely seasoned Captain. Delivery, Short term relief, as well as permanent positions welcome.
SKILLS: Racing, sail trim, passage planning, navigation, basic engineering, tender driving with passengers (IO & Outboard engines), USCG compliance, hospitality, interior cleaning skills, exterior maintenance, varnish, basic woodworking, advanced marlinspike, program organization, management of crew continued training programs, advanced planning of itinerary and shore excursions, sensible to the unique needs of high net worth clientele, able to function very well (and cook tolerably) in large seas aboard without vessel stabilizers, toilet paper origami, able to maintain a positive attitude while cold, wet, tired, and hungry.
QUALIFICATIONS and CERTIFICATES
WORK EXPERIENCE:
Charter Captain:
Pinnacle Yachts, Chicago Sailboat Charters, Sea Breeze Charters, Chicago Sailing Spring to Fall 2016-2017
3rd Coast Cruising. Itinerary: Chicago, Florida Keys/ ICW. Summer Seasons 2015-2017
U.S.C.G. Auxiliary Vessel Examiner, Operations Coxswain October 2014-present
Providing on water support for U.S.C.G. Station Calumet Harbor, Chicago IL for Maritime Observation Missions, regattas, special events, assisting vessels in distress, and search and rescue efforts. 23′ King Fisher vessels.
Traditionally rigged vessels
SS/V OLIVER HAZARD PERRY Able Seaman December 5-April 23 2017
200’/ 300 ton Fully rigged sail training vessel. Itinerary: Transit Newport RI to FL, Programming from Ft Lauderdale to Cuba, Bermuda. Student training program with live aboard trainees ages 14-77. Responsible for education at sea, students with ages ranging 14-83, vessel cleanliness and maintenance (interior and exterior), and sail handling. 3 staterooms/ 23 bunks. Traditional dogged watch schedule.
S/V WINDY Deckhand April 2016-June 2017 seasonal
148′ Four-masted tops’l schooner. Up to 7, 120 minute cruises daily in the Chicago skyline area. Departing every two hours. Themed programming aboard including educational sails for youth. Passenger vessel that permits small children, safety of guests a top priority. Heavy sail maneuvering in close quarters with congested traffic.
S/V USCGC EAGLE Deckhand Crew, Tall Ships America March 7-27 2016
295′, three-masted barque-rigged tall ship. Tall Ships America Crew from Baltimore MD to Little Creek VA to Savannah GA and return delivery. Assisted with vessel maintenance and operation, assisted with training USCG OCS Candidates. Attained USCG ratings of Helm, Master Helm, Lookout, and Topman.
S/V MYSTIC 2nd Mate November 3-December 10 2015
170′, 95 grt tops’l schooner tall ship. Vessel delivery from Fairhaven MA to Key West FL. Restoring interior and exterior to yacht standards for wedding receptions, reunions, and overnight accommodation transits.
S/V PICTON CASTLE Scholarship Trainee June 2015
180’/ 284 gross tons barque-rigged tall ship. Delivery of the vessel from Lunenburg Nova Scotia, CAN via North Atlantic Ocean, Chesapeake Bay, and Delaware River. Tall Ships America North Atlantic races summer 2015. Standard crew compliment 52, crew compliment while aboard 23. 6 hour watches. Hosted 4 on board soirees, and daily public tours.
SS/V SORLANDET Sail Trainee August 2013
210′ fully rigged tall ship. Tall Ships America Great Lakes race Chicago to Green Bay. In cooperation with the university program West Island International Class Afloat. Assisted with ship tours open to the public.
Vessel Delivery
Larsen Marine Services Vessel delivery Captain Spring and Fall 2016
Double handed deliveries of various power and sail driven vessels under 100 grt. from the Chicago to Northern Wisconsin and Michigan.
Crowley’s Yachtyard Lakeside Vessel Delivery Captain Spring 2016-2017
Double handed deliveries of various power and sail driven vessels under 100 grt. from the Calumet River Basin to assorted Chicago harbors.
Sail racing
S/Y BIG MEANIE Race Crew May-October 2012-2016
Beneteau 42’S. Tactical and voyage planning. Buoy and distance races. Advised on regulatory compliance, rigging, maintenance, and electronics. First Place “Race to Mackinac” Div.4 2015.
S/Y REVELATION Race Crew-Lead Seaman June-October season 2011-2012
Dehler 34′, Buoy and distance races. Responsibilities also included crew training, race scheduling.
Chicago Yacht Club Race Committee Small Boat driver-race mark-set April 2013-July 2013
Rigid Inflatable and small working craft, GPS nav., wind readings, and anchor setting & retrieval.
Distance Races: Mackinaw (289 nm) 2014 -2015. Hook 2013 (185 nm). Chicago-Waukegan 2014.
Pacific Inter-Island Oahu-Molokai 2015. Inaugural Miami-Cuba (253 nm) 2016. Cuba delivery to Bahamas (1016nm) 2016 watch captain.
Buoy Races: Verve Chicago 2014 – 2015, NOOD Chicago 2013-2014, Skyline Series Chicago 2013-2015.
Rigging
Crowley’s Yachtyard Lakeside Rigger Spring up-rig/fall down-rig 2016
Mast Stepping, rig/ mast tuning, boom rigging, running rigging, sail rigging, forklift operation, winch operation. Sloop and catch/yawl rigged, cruising & high performance racing sailing vessels, under 100 grt.
Educational Programs/ Sailing Instructor
Pinnacle Yachts Charter Captain, Instructor Summer-Fall Season 2016
Comprehensive 15 hr. accelerated sailing course for new fractional ownership yacht clients. USCG rules & regs., basic sailing, heavy weather sailing, emergency procedures, amenities operation, fueling/ pump out, and docking.
Chicago Sailing Charter Captain, Instructor Summer-Fall Season 2015-2016
U.S. Sailing Basic Keelboat Instructor: Cruising Course, Bareboat Cruising Course, Basic Keelboat, Advanced Sailing, and private instruction.
Judd Goldman Adaptive Sailing Volunteer AB/ Skipper Summers 2011-2013
Vessel delivery, topsides & engine maintenance, Skipper, and educational/ race crew for this sailing instruction and racing opportunities program for physically disabled adult and teenage participants.
Availability
Short term contracts: September 2017 onward
Open availability: October 2017 onward
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