Michael Quantrell is a highly experienced yacht Captain with more than 20 years of dedicated service in yacht operations, engineering oversight, estate management, and competitive racing. His career reflects a deep commitment to excellence, safety, and owner satisfaction. Michael has managed complex multimillion-dollar refits, overseen high-value private assets, and delivered vessels along demanding coastal and offshore routes. His leadership style is grounded in preparation, accountability, and clear communication.
Throughout his career, Michael has proven his ability to lead in challenging conditions. He has safely operated vessels through heavy weather, long offshore passages, and congested cruising areas while maintaining strict regulatory compliance. One defining experience was navigating the operational aftermath of Category 4 Hurricane Irma in Florida in 2017. This event reinforced his disciplined approach to risk management, emergency planning, and decisive leadership under high pressure.
Growing up in the coastal town of Camden, Maine, Michael developed an early connection to both the water and competitive sports. His childhood and early adulthood were spent sailing and skiing, laying the foundation for focus and resilience. His talent in sailing earned him three medals at the Junior Olympics, including a bronze and a silver in the Laser Class Division. These early accomplishments shaped his competitive mindset and long-term dedication to maritime pursuits.
Michael’s competitive background extended beyond sailing. In high school, he dominated local skiing events and later participated in Friday Night Lights skiing in Maine for 10 years. During this period, he captured all three qualifiers and two finals in the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge, a regional ski and snowboard race series held throughout the northeastern United States. These achievements reflected his discipline, endurance, and ability to perform consistently at a high level, qualities that carried into his professional life.
As his experience grew, Michael raced professionally in organized programs across New Zealand, New England, and England. Competing in different regions exposed him to varied techniques, conditions, and team dynamics. This international experience sharpened his adaptability and technical skills while strengthening his appreciation for collaboration and precision. The lessons learned during these racing years continue to influence his approach to crew coordination and vessel handling.
Michael Quantrell began his professional yachting career at 18, taking on increasing responsibility. Over time, he managed vessels ranging from 20 to 120 feet and captained yachts up to 112 feet, most recently serving aboard a 100-foot ship. His duties have included navigation, safety compliance, preventative maintenance planning, crew leadership, and owner relations. He is particularly respected for managing refit projects that enhance both a vessel's functionality and presentation.
Michael has completed domestic and international deliveries across a wide range of waterways. His experience includes Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands, Australia, New Zealand, and the entire United States East Coast. He is well-versed in offshore passages lasting more than 24 hours and understands the operational demands of customs clearance, port logistics, and voyage planning. His regional knowledge supports efficient routing and smooth transitions between cruising grounds.
For nearly 5 years, Michael has owned and operated Ox Eye Marine Corporation, a full-service yacht management company. Through Ox Eye Marine, he manages vessels ranging from 40 to 112 feet along the eastern seaboard, throughout the Bahamas, and across the Caribbean. Services include project management, crew placement, system evaluations, refits, overseas shipping, sales preparation, and boat show coordination. Each program is tailored to the specific needs of the owner and vessel, with Michael maintaining direct oversight.
Michael served as Captain of the 96-foot Broward motor yacht Crown Jewel for approximately 18 months during a period of ownership transition. His responsibilities included vessel safety, regulatory compliance, crew hiring, and damage assessment. He oversaw a $300,000 refit at LMC, coordinated voyages between Florida and the Bahamas, and managed financial reporting. He also assisted with listing and displaying the vessel at the Palm Beach International Boat Show and successfully guided the complete 501(c)(3) donation process.
For two years, Michael served as a full-time Captain and Project Manager for the 90-foot offshore motor yacht Remedy. Following its purchase by a California client, the vessel underwent a complex, multimillion-dollar refit at Safe Harbor Rybovich. Michael coordinated logistics between Mexico and Florida, supervised mechanical and structural upgrades, and managed extended cruising in the Bahamas. The transformation of the yacht stands as one of the most fulfilling projects of his career.
Michael Quantrell’s background also includes serving as Delivery Captain for the 112-foot Westport Black Swain, Estate Manager and Captain in Palm Beach, and Engineer or Captain aboard several Cheoy Lee and Outer Reef yachts. He also supported classic racing aboard the 59-foot Herreshoff Marilee, managing deck operations and crew training. Outside of his professional life, Michael enjoys time on the water, outdoor activities, family life, and his dogs, maintaining balance alongside a demanding maritime career.