The crew of Freedom are a close-knit group of crew members turned lifelong friends. Being a crew of mostly female, the environment on board Freedom is inclusive, professional and promotes ample opportunities to learn across all departments.
Sometimes being able to say “yes” to a client means getting creative, and the crew of Freedom are always working hard, and working together, to problem solve and create an experience that the guests will never forget. When making our way up and down the coast between seasons, we always make sure to stop in several rural towns to donate our canned goods.
We try to make the yachting community a better place whenever we can. With safety and service of top priority, the repeat charter guests on board Freedom show that the crew is doing something right. Whether the crew of Freedom is singing karaoke with guests, thinking up a quick new cocktail recipe or off on an all-day fishing excursion, they are loving exactly where they are – and it shows!
Born in Northern New Jersey in a small town called Allendale, raised going down the Jersey shore every weekend to enjoy boating. After graduating high school early, he started his own business at the young age of sixteen. After doing this and working for his family business for many years, he decided the ocean was his calling after several trips to Fort Lauderdale. He started out as a delivery mate at the age of eighteen on a trip from Florida to Boston, MA and quickly moved up to the captain position before the trip had even ended. Captaining for 10 years now, he has gained a lot of wisdom and insight into the yachting world.
He has run boats in five countries, along with experience from Maine to Key West. Brendan and his wife have been a team since 2017, where they have learned and grown together. Brendan holds his Master 200/500-ton license and looks forward to creating a safe and memorable experience for his charter guests aboard motor yacht Freedom!
Born and raised in the small town of Ramsey, New Jersey, Julie grew up enjoying time at the beach and doing water sports. She graduated from SUNY Cortland where she completed her bachelor’s degree in Childhood Education. After teaching and coaching gymnastics for several years, she met Brendan and decided it was time to join him in the yachting industry. She has completed her STCW training, as well as bartending courses.
Julie enjoys reading, hiking, swimming, and water sports in her free time. She is excited to give guests aboard Freedom the experience of a lifetime, by creating a warm and welcoming environment. With Julie’s friendly personality and amazing organizational skills, Freedom’s guests are sure to be enjoying their experience!
Rebecca was born and raised in coastal Massachusetts and has always had a bold sense of adventure. She spent her high school and college summers working as a deckhand for Boston Harbor Cruises and quickly realized her love for boating and the ocean. She went on to receive a business degree at the University of Massachusetts – Amherst and began her career in finance, still spending her nights and weekends out on the water.
In 2021, Rebecca left Massachusetts for Florida, looking to experience life beyond the cubicle and turn her boating hobby into a new career. Rebecca has since gotten her 200-ton license, become an advanced PADI SCUBA diver, has cruised to beautiful destinations, and made memories that will last a lifetime!
Molly grew up in a small town in northern Michigan, with both Lake Huron and the AuSable River just minutes away. She has always loved spending time in the water and the sun and spent much of her time in the summers on kayaks, tubes, and boats. Molly managed a local coffee shop while going to college to get her degree in Technical & Professional Communication as well as Creative Writing from Ferris State University.
Once graduated, she decided against a desk job and moved to Fort Lauderdale to get a taste of the world beyond Michigan. Since beginning her career in yachting, she has made lifelong friends, seen the best sunrises and sunsets on the water, and learned more things than she ever could have imagined. She currently holds her Master 100-ton license. She is excited to be a part of the M/Y Freedom team and share her experiences with charter guests!
Ainsley grew up in Virginia Beach, where her love for the water started early. She began lifeguarding with Virginia Beach Ocean Rescue at 16 and went on to serve seven seasons, eventually earning her EMT certification. She graduated from the University of South Carolina in three years with a degree in Fashion Merchandising, then spent the following years traveling through Asia and Latin America.
During her travels, she developed a growing
passion for sailing, which naturally led her to the yachting industry. Ainsley is an Advanced Open Water diver, an avid surfer, and happiest anywhere on the water. She brings a calm, positive energy to Freedom and genuinely loves helping guests feel relaxed and at home on
the water.
Chef Brooke Gowers grew up in the wonderful Garden State. She lived in Virginia for 4 years while earning a degree in Dietetics, Go Dukes! She began her career in yachting as a stewardess, but her interest in cooking soon brought her to the galley.
Brooke has a huge passion for nutrition and fitness, and it shows in her cooking. Below is a link to her Instagram where she features some of her creations onboard over the past few years. Brooke cooks a variety of cuisines and will work with you to design the ideal menu for you and your guests.
https://instagram.com/cookin.withbrooklyn
