Captain Steve's First Boat |
A few moments with Captain Steve...
How long has Maui been your home? "22 years... and I've been Captaining my own boats for 17 years..."
What was your first boat? "An all inflatable raft - one of the first designs. She was called The Enterprise I. One day a Whale Shark pushed it around and it sprung a leak. I fixed it, but the next week the whole boat exploded and went flat. Luckily it was on the trailer and not in the water."
What made you decide that being out on the open ocean was something you wanted to do as a job? "When I'm driving down the road I like to look around; take in the beauty of Maui, and when I'm out on the ocean, I don't have to 'stay between the lines.' "
Does your family join you on your tour adventures? "Yes, my son Matt is an expert at spotting Octopus and Pillow Star Fish on the bottom. My daughter Stephanie loves the Green Sea Turtles and Spinner Dolphins. My wife Gina is always spotting the breaching Whales first and she can take a booking while the boat is going 40 m.p.h. on her cell phone."
How old were your children when they first went out on the water with you? "We first strapped Matt's car seat in the boat when he was about six months old and Stephanie went to the North Shore of Molokai when she was still in Mom's tummy."
Where is your favorite snorkeling spot? "The backside of Lanai at Shark Fin Rock. I've seen everything there while in the water... Whales, Dolphins, Turtles, Whale Sharks, Manta Rays, a Blue Marlin and always lots of Octopus."
What is your favorite ocean creature? "It's a toss up. Humpback Whales for their size and grace, Spinner Dolphins for their playfulness, Whale Sharks for their dark gliding mystique, or False Killer Whales for their intelligence and aggressiveness."
Can you tell about any unforgettable experiences you've had with Maui's marine life? "Wow, there have been so many... I've seen Spinner Dolphins born, new born Humpbacks, and some things I just can't put into words..."
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