We are able-bodied seamen aboard Kelpie, well trained and extensively experienced. The crew is part of a drug consortium, complying to random testing anywhere in the world, and safety drills are conducted constantly to ensure seamless reaction among all crew members.
Capt. Shannon Carleton – Skipper, Trailblazer & “Captain Cover Girl”
Captain Shannon is more than just Kelpie’s owner and captain—she’s a force. A true mariner with a lifetime spent on the water, she mastered traditional sailing aboard the gaff-rigged schooner Harvey Gamage, covering 1,900 miles from Dominica to Greenport with Ocean Classroom in 2001. After eight years as first mate aboard her former charter catamaran, she set her sights on something greater—and went after it.
When she found Kelpie—a stunning 1928 gaff-rigged schooner—she flew to Spain alone to buy her. It was a bold move, but Shannon doesn’t do things halfway. She sailed Kelpie through the Mediterranean, battled heavy seas in the Gulf of Lyon, and ultimately brought her home to the U.S., transforming her into one of the most sought-after charter yachts on the water today.
A USCG-licensed 100-ton Master, Shannon holds credentials for international voyages, with extensive training in firefighting, life-saving, crowd control, and crisis management. But while she is a serious mariner, she is also a rarity in a field where less than 6% of captains are women—and she does it all her own way.
With her signature red nail polish, pearls at the helm, and an undeniable presence, Shannon has become one of the most recognized captains in the industry. Dubbed “Captain Cover Girl,” she and Kelpie have graced the pages and covers of the Hamptons’ most prestigious glossies—and her image extends beyond the maritime world. As a model for luxury and nautical brands, she has seamlessly blended sailing and style, proving that strength and elegance can coexist at the helm.
Few captains can do what she does. Even fewer have the nerve to do it the way she does. A mariner, a model, and a modern icon at sea—Shannon is redefining what it means to be at the helm.
Cody Boswell isn’t just Kelpie‘s first mate—he’s her steady hand, trusted guardian, and the backbone of daily operations. From the yacht’s earliest days post-refit to her seamless charters today, Cody has played an irreplaceable role in shaping Kelpie into what she is now.
As first mate and the only person the captain entrusts with the helm in her absence, Cody’s responsibilities go far beyond sailing. He is the quiet force behind every well-executed moment on board, the steady presence that ensures everything runs effortlessly.
Jack Meyer is Kelpie‘s Second Mate & Charter Coordinator. Some people have a presence that’s hard to put into words—Jack is one of them. His calm confidence, natural leadership, and ability to connect with people effortlessly make him an invaluable part of Kelpie’s crew.
Jack isn’t just Kelpie’s second mate—he’s also a person who sets the tone on board. Whether he’s leading a safety briefing, making guests feel instantly at ease, or navigating long offshore passages alongside the captain, his presence is both commanding and reassuring. As a seasoned sailor, he has been at the helm for nearly every major delivery, moving Kelpie between Sag Harbor and Charleston time and time again.
But Jack’s role goes far beyond sailing. He plays a pivotal part in charter operations, marketing, and event coordination, ensuring that every experience on Kelpie is seamless.
Jodi Topping sailor/stew and Keeper of All Things Kelpie. For 23 years, Jodi has sailed beside the captain, through gnarliest squalls and glassy seas alike, ever steady, ever dependable. She is the kind of shipmate who never lets anything slip through the cracks, thinking three steps ahead even when she’s not aboard.
Jodi is more than just crew—she is Kelpie’s quiet anchor, the calm in every storm, the warmth that welcomes every guest who steps on deck. Even on her days off, she’s checking in, making sure the crew hasn’t forgotten a thing. She is steadfast, unwavering, and unshakably even-keeled—always the voice of reason, always a presence that makes everything feel just right.
If Kelpie has an angel on deck, it’s Jodi. A rare kind of sailor, a rare kind of person—her grace, kindness, and reliability make her not just part of the crew, but part of the soul of this boat.
Brooke Bofill – sailor/stew & Maritime Problem Solver. Some people are cool without trying—that’s Brooke. Whether she’s zipping across the bay in her own boat, clamming in the shallows, or creating in her art studio under Brooke Bofill Designs, she brings an effortless energy that’s all her own.
Born into local boating royalty at Bofill Marine, Brooke is as capable as she is creative—a mariner with instinct, a problem solver with precision. There’s nothing she can’t handle, and nothing ever phases her. If a fire needs putting out, Brooke will handle it without breaking a sweat—calm, cool & collected.
She’s particular, and in the best way. She knows exactly how things should be done, which means the rest of us don’t have to think—we just trust her to get it right. Whether on deck or in the studio, Brooke is one of a kind—capable, creative, and effortlessly cool.
Maggie Lang – stew & Hospitality Darling
Some people just belong, and from the moment Maggie drifted into our world, it was clear—she was one of us. We weren’t even hiring, but Maggie’s warmth, grace, and effortless way made it impossible not to find a place for her.
With a deep-rooted hospitality background, Maggie runs her family’s beloved 1901 Grill on Shelter Island, where she brings the same poise, precision, and natural ease that she does aboard Kelpie. Though she’s busy keeping things seamless on land, she still keeps one foot in the yachting world, and we’re grateful for any bit of Maggie’s time we can get.
Katie Brown – Special Agent of Seamless Charters
Katie Brown is the invisible force that keeps Kelpie running flawlessly from shore. As the captain’s assistant, she handles everything behind the scenes—from charter reservations to menu planning, guest coordination, and every last logistical detail in between.
She’s not just support—she’s strategy. Her ability to fine-tune every moving part with precision and attention to detail means that by the time guests step aboard, everything has already been anticipated, adjusted, and perfected. The crew can focus entirely on hospitality and sailing, knowing Katie has already cleared the path ahead.
We call her our Special Agent because that’s exactly what she is—discreet, unstoppable, and always one step ahead. Just as critical as any mate on deck, Katie is the reason Kelpie’s operation feels effortless. She may be land-based, but make no mistake—Katie is as much a part of Kelpie as the boat herself.
Andy – The Captain’s Shadow & Kelpie’s Quiet Heart
Andy is more than just the captain’s dog—she’s her sun, moon, and stars. Rescued on the island of St. John in the Virgin Islands, Andy sailed home to New York in 2014 and has been a quiet, steady presence aboard ever since.
She doesn’t seek the spotlight. Shy but deeply connected, Andy knows exactly where she belongs—curled up below deck, content just to be close to her crew, her family. She doesn’t need to see what’s happening above to know—she feels it. She knows the sound of the engine and the exact moment it shuts down, because charter time is over and her mama is hers again.
She communicates in her own way—with a bark that means “there’s a fly down here” and another that means “I want my mama.” And while guests may never see her, the crew always knows she’s there—watching, waiting, listening.
Smart as a whip, deeply loyal, and woven into the very fabric of life aboard Kelpie, Andy isn’t just part of the boat—she’s part of Kelpie‘s soul.