Captain: David Gies
With over 20 years of yachting experience, David brings unparalleled expertise to the helm of M/Y Blue Time. His career has taken him across enough miles to circumnavigate the globe eight times, with extensive cruising aboard charter yachts in New England, the Caribbean, the Mediterranean, the Bahamas, and Alaska.
Originally from Spokane, Washington, David now calls Lighthouse Point, Florida, home, where he lives with his wife and son. Known for his casual personality and easy-going attitude, David fosters a happy, team-oriented environment onboard. His commitment to detail, safety, and fun ensures that every guest enjoys the ultimate charter experience.
Chef: Paul “Apollo” Craddock
Chef Apollo is a culinary innovator and global tastemaker with over a decade of experience creating exceptional dining experiences that blend culture, wellness, and flavor. Having spent seven transformative years living and working across Asia, he seamlessly integrates diverse culinary traditions into his work.
Trained in Switzerland with a focus on European precision and in Mexico to master vibrant, authentic flavors, Apollo’s expertise spans from Mediterranean and East Asian Blue Zone cuisines to elevated homestyle dishes. His commitment to holistic wellness informs every ingredient and technique he uses, crafting meals that are as nourishing as they are unforgettable. A true artist in the kitchen, Apollo’s passion for hospitality, travel, and cultural connection is reflected in every perfectly executed dish.
First Mate: Andrew Baar
Born and raised in South Dakota, Andrew spent his childhood exploring the outdoors—camping, fishing, hunting, and boating throughout the Midwest. A natural athlete, he competed at the Division 1 level in soccer and wrestling throughout high school and university.
Despite his inland roots, Andrew always knew he was destined for a life at sea. At 25, he secured his first deckhand position aboard the 60m Lürssen Avanti. Over the past six years, he has gained extensive experience cruising diverse regions, from the Galápagos Islands to Norway and everywhere in between.
Andrew currently holds a Chief Officer <3000GT license and is actively working towards his Master <3000GT certification.
Beyond his professional maritime career, he is an avid deep-sea fisherman with a passion for targeting pelagic species. Whether bottom fishing or deep-sea trolling, he thrives on the challenge and excitement of open-ocean fishing.
Chief Stewardess: Michelle Horton
Michelle was born and raised in Las Vegas, Nevada. She moved to Santa Barbara where she graduated with a bachelor’s degree in Economics from UC Santa Barbara. Michelle worked a full-time serving job at the Ritz Carlton, Bacara, where she found her passion for exceeding guest expectations and enjoyed meeting people from all around the world. After graduation, she moved to San Francisco to start her career at UBS as a Client Service Associate. After 2 years, Michelle decided to pursue her dream working in the yachting industry. She packed her life in a 90 pound suitcase, booked a one-way flight to Florida and never looked back. Michelle enjoys traveling, hiking, exercising and anything water-related. Michelle’s bubbly and outgoing personality, combined with her passion for hospitality makes her a very valuable crew member on board Blue Time.
Second Stewardess: Nikilee Truong
Born and raised in New York, Nikilee moved to California for college, embracing the West Coast lifestyle and her love for the outdoors. With a strong foundation in hospitality and fitness, her passion for the ocean naturally steered her toward an exciting career in the yachting industry, where she thrives on creating unforgettable guest experiences.
During charters, Nikilee enjoys crafting signature cocktails and adding personalized touches that turn every trip into a memorable adventure at sea!
Fun fact: Nikilee and our Chief Stew, Michelle, were college roommates!
Deckhand: Nick Vincent
Nick was raised in a small suburb of Minnesota, just an hour north of the Twin Cities. Growing up on the lake, he spent his summers fishing, playing water sports, and adventuring outdoors with friends. Winters were filled with pond hockey, snowboarding, and snowmobiling, all while balancing his passion as a competitive gymnast year-round.
Nick’s love for the ocean was inspired by his travels through Costa Rica, exploring its national parks and stunning coastlines. This connection to nature and adventure ultimately led him to pursue a career at sea, where he brings enthusiasm, hard work, and a passion for life on the water.
Enginner: Jose Torres
Originally from Venezuela, Jose holds an engineering degree from the Maritime University of the Caribbean and brings over a decade of experience in the maritime industry. He is certified in project management by the University of South Florida and holds a Technical Management qualification issued by RINA Class. Outside of work, he enjoys reading and playing guitar—activities that provide both grounding and inspiration while at sea.
