Meet the crew!
This is us
The regular crew at On Watch Sailing. Take a moment to meet us!
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Captain Green
Owner On Watch Sailing and Lyra
Discover Newport and the surrounding area with Captain Green. Whether in search of a lazy sail, historic tour information, stunning photography, or advanced sailing instruction, Green will make sure that you get the most out of your experience. With a perfect safety record and a lifetime of sailing experience, you and your party will be in safe hands. Green is also a writer for marine publications such as Cruising World magazine.
Captain Green has been sailing the waters in and around Newport, RI, since 2005. Since then, he has professionally sailed a variety of vessels, both for charter and private. He has sailed across the Atlantic ocean, between Newport and the Caribbean - and portions of the Pacific side of Central America.
Green grew up living aboard a 29-foot wooden boat with his parents and brother along the East Coast of the USA. He has a degree in business administration from the University of Central FL and was deep in the information systems world when he and his wife, Jen, decided to purchase an old 32-foot sailboat. After restoring Egret, they cruised the boat from Florida through the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos to the Dominican Republic. They had so much fun that they purchased Lyra in 2008 with the eventual goal of sharing their experiences with their family.
Indeed, leaving in the autumns of 2013 and 2016, Green, Jen and two daughters sailed south to do exactly that, eventually ending up in the Bahamas, returning to Newport for the summer sailing season.
Currently Communications Manager at Sailors for the Sea, Green's wife Jen was Senior Editor at Cruising World magazine for nearly 10 years, where Captain Green is a regular contributor. They have two children and lived aboard full time for nine and one-half years. You can read about their experiences and how-to articles at Cruising World's website by searching for Green Brett or Jen Brett.
Captain Sam
Owner and operator of Wren
Sam has sailed in Newport in a professional capacity since 2017. He decided to move from captaining larger vessels to his own when he acquired Wren in February of 2021. Sam and Wren had a fantastic seasons in 2021 - 2022 and are back for more!
Sam loves dogs, cycling, sailing, and travel. He's an accomplished shipwright, IYRS graduate, and worked for a time on the massive Coronet project. He is recently engaged.
Captain Emma
On Watch Captain
A gifted sailor and writer, Emma has made the sea her life. She has double handed a small engineless sailboat across the Pacific Ocean, crewed and mated aboard tall ships. In 2021 she captained her own sailboat, Alacrity, from Jamaica to New England. She has spent the last year as mate aboard the storied Spirit of Bermuda. Emma captained Lyra in 2020-21 and is back for more in 2023.
Ask Emma about her first experience aboard Lyra, it's not what you'd think!
As time and seasons allow, Emma is giving Alacrity a thorough refit. When the work is done and the time is right, she will sail far, far away.
Simon
Crew
Simon has grown up in Newport, on and around the water. As an avid cameraman, Simon has interned with a well known maritime photographer (have hime take some photos and video while you're aboard). Simon is also rows and swims competitively. Having spent time aboard Lyra in past years, he looks forward to crewing the 2023 season.
Captain Cat
On Watch Captain
Cat fell in love with sailing when she first lived in Newport in 2016. She has spent almost all of time since then on tall ships or Newport based sailing vessels. From the Caribbean to Palmyra (Pacific Ocean) in the winters, Newport has been the place she returns to for the fabulous summer sailing. On Watch Sailing has been lucky enough to have her since spring of 2021.
Cat has backpacked Europe, can (and does) catch thrown grapes in her mouth and is currently dating a Prom King of Waterford High. She loves to cook, is an artist and has midwestern charm in spades. Ask her about her travels in the south seas!