Captain John Bailey
S/V Morgana
On the land...
John Bailey is a 28 year veteran hospitality professional and holds B.A ., B.S., and M.A. degrees. For 19 years he was a hotel General Manager working in
California and Florida leading full -service properties affiliated with Intercontinental Hotels Group and Hilton Hotels. His focus was on creating associate engagement, guest loyalty, and market share growth for ownership. He was most recently awarded Hotel of the Year 2015 and Sportsman of the Year 2016 by the Palm Beach County Hotel and Lodging Association, of which he served on the board of directors and as an officer.
John holds a B.S. degree in Organizational Behavior from the University of San Francisco and is a Hilton Certified Trainer. He has received training from Covey Leadership (7 Habits of Highly Effective People) and in The Oz Principle (individual and organizational accountability).
On the water...
John was inspired to sail after watching the legendary Dennis Conner win back the America's Cup from Australia in 1987. The event was televised with cameras on the boats for a real sailing experience. He was hooked. John soon learned to sail on Lasers at the CSU, Sacramento Aquatic Center and after that bought his first sail boat, a Montgomery 15 mini-cruiser. For the next few years he sailed on the San Joaquin River Delta south of Sacramento. He then purchased his second Montgomery boat, "Spirit, this the M-17 designed by Lyle Hess, and continued what he calls "Huck Finn" river sailing.
After being promoted and transferred to a property on the California Central Coast in 2001, John met and purchased the Westsail 32 cutter Reflection and became an ocean sailor. They've been together ever since, first sailing the Central Coast from their home port of Morro Bay. Then in 2005 John was promoted and transferred to a South East Florida property and Reflection came along via truck. They ultimately made Coconut Grove their home port in 2006, and have been happily sailing Biscayne Bay, Biscayne National Park and the Florida Keys for the past 11 years.
Reflection, my pride and joy and labor of love for 15 years, was lost in Hurricane Irma.
She was a good ship and I shall not forget her.
Fortunately, I was able to find a very special boat to open the next chapter of my sailing life. Morgana is a custom designed and built Van Dam 32 gaff-rigged ketch.
John holds a USCG Captain's License, with an OUPV Near Coastal rating. In addition, he is an avid paddler and retired PADI Dive Master and certified Wreck Diver. Most recently, he is in the process of upgrading his Coast Guard License to a Master rating.
He has operated a sail charter business for three years. He is a member of the National Association of Charter Operators.
John is a member of the Coconut Grove Sailing Club. An active supporter of environmental protection and preservation and of the local maritime heritage, he is a member of The Barnacle Society, Center for Whale Research, Friends of the Earth, The Jane Goodall Institute, The Nature Conservancy, Sea Shepherd, Green Peace, Sierra Club, and Surf Rider.
