Michael Quantrell

Michael Quantrell is a seasoned yacht Captain with more than two decades of experience spanning yacht engineering, estate management, and competitive racing ventures. His career has been defined by hands-on leadership, technical expertise, and a steady approach to complex operational challenges. Michael has managed and executed multimillion-dollar refits, overseen high-value assets, and completed extensive vessel deliveries along the East Coast and beyond. His reputation is built on reliability, professionalism, and an unwavering commitment to safety and performance.

Leadership Under Pressure

Throughout his career, Michael has demonstrated resilience in demanding, high-risk environments. He has safely navigated vessels through severe weather and high-traffic waterways while maintaining compliance with maritime regulations. Among his most notable experiences was weathering Category 4 Hurricane Irma in Florida in 2017, an event that tested both seamanship and leadership. His ability to remain calm, decisive, and focused under pressure has earned him the trust of owners, crews, and management teams alike.

Early Roots on the Water and Snow

Michael’s passion for the water began at an early age while growing up in Camden, Maine. As a child and young adult, he split his time between sailing and competitive skiing, developing discipline and drive through sport. His dedication to sailing led to success at the Junior Olympics, where he earned three medals, including a bronze and a silver in the Laser Class Division. These early achievements laid the foundation for a lifelong connection to competitive and professional maritime pursuits.

Competitive Racing Background

In addition to youth sailing, Michael raced professionally in various programs while living in New Zealand, New England, and England. His exposure to international racing environments broadened his technical understanding and sharpened his teamwork skills. During high school and beyond, he also excelled in skiing, participating in Friday night lights racing in Maine for ten years. During this period, he won all three qualifiers and two finals in the Mountain Dew Vertical Challenge, a regional ski and snowboard race series held across northeastern resorts, while living full-time in Florida.

Professional Yachting Career

Michael began his professional career as a yacht Captain at the age of 18. Over the years, he has managed vessels ranging from 20 to 120 feet and has captained yachts up to 112 feet, most recently serving aboard a 100-foot ship. His responsibilities have included complete operational management, navigation, maintenance oversight, and crew leadership. He is particularly skilled in refit management, transforming aging vessels into refined, high-performing yachts through careful planning and execution.

Global Deliveries and Cruising Experience

Michael’s experience includes domestic and international deliveries across a wide range of waters. He has shipped and delivered vessels throughout the United States, Mexico, the Bahamas, the Caribbean, the British Virgin Islands, Australia, and New Zealand. His extensive time navigating the East Coast of Florida and offshore routes has given him deep familiarity with long-range passages, customs procedures, and offshore operations in accordance with USCG guidelines.

Founder of Ox Eye Marine Corporation

For nearly five years, Michael Quantrell has owned and operated Ox Eye Marine Corporation. Through this company, he manages multiple vessels ranging from 40 to 112 feet along the eastern seaboard, throughout the Bahamas, and across the Caribbean. Ox Eye Marine provides comprehensive vessel management services, including project management, crew placement, system evaluations, major and minor refits, overseas shipping, sales support, and boat show representation. Each program is customized to meet the specific needs of the owner and vessel.

Command of M/Y Crown Jewel

Michael served as Captain of the 96-foot Broward motor yacht Crown Jewel for approximately 18 months during an ownership transition. He was responsible for safe vessel operation, regulatory compliance, damage investigation, crew hiring, and daily management. He oversaw a $300,000 refit at LMC, coordinated voyages from Florida to the Bahamas and along the East Coast, and managed financial reporting. He also assisted with listing the vessel at the Palm Beach International Boat Show and successfully managed the complete 501(c)(3) donation process.

Major Refit of M/Y Remedy

For two years, Michael served as a full-time Captain and Project Manager for the 90-foot offshore motor yacht Remedy, formerly known as Drumbeat. He led a multimillion-dollar refit at Safe Harbor Rybovich following the vessel’s purchase by a California client. The yacht was transported between Mexico and Florida, cruised in the Bahamas, and then returned for an extensive transformation. The project stands as one of the most rewarding accomplishments of his career.

Additional Experience and Personal Life

Michael Quantrell has also served as Delivery Captain for the 112-foot Westport Black Swain, Estate Manager and Captain in Palm Beach, and Engineer or Captain aboard several other yachts, including Cheoy Lee and Outer Reef vessels. Beyond his professional life, Michael values time spent outdoors, on the water, with family, and with his dogs, maintaining a strong balance between career and personal passions.