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CAPTAIN JIM ALBERT

A USCG Licensed Professional Mariner

Available in SW Florida from October 1st through April 30th

Available in Upstate New York from May 1st through September 30th

Voted 2014, 2015, 2016 & 2017 Favorite Boat Captain in Naples

About Captain Jim

    Captain Jim Albert

   U.S. MERCHANT MARINE

My name is Jim Albert, a U.S. Merchant Marine Captain.  I currently hold a 100-ton USCG Master Captain’s license.  I moved to Naples in 2005 to begin my quest to become a “for-hire” boat captain serving private and commercial boat owners, new boating students, renters, dealers and marinas in Southwest Florida.  After a half year of preparation, training and testing; working 6 months as 1st Officer & 8 years as Captain onboard the M/V Naples Princess, I retired from the Princess in 2016 and am now available to be a for-hire skipper.
 
Award – In 2013, I was voted the Star Award winner in the “Best Boat Captain” category by the readers of the Naples Daily Newspaper.

Award – In 2014, 2015, 2016 and 2017, I was voted “Favorite Boat Captain” by the readers of the Naples Daily Newspaper.  After five years participating (2013-2017), the category was eliminated.

Award – In 2014, I was awarded the Governor’s "Veterans Service Award Medal" by Governor Rick Scott (R) and U.S. Navy veteran.

United States Navy Veteran:  During the mid-1970’s, I piloted the U.S. Navy nuclear submarine, U.S.S. Benjamin Franklin (SSBN 640) as a Quartermaster and, in 1979, earned a Bachelor of Science Degree from Russell Sage College in Troy, NY.  During the 1970’s & 1980’s, I also trained high school-aged students (U.S. Naval Sea Cadets) in basic seamanship and recruited Naval Sea Cadets into the US Navy; becoming the 4th commanding officer of the U.S.S. Albany Division in Albany, NY and attaining the rank of Lt. Commander.

Maritime Credentials:  While working to obtain my USCG Merchant Mariner’s Credential (license), a background check was completed by the U.S. Department of Homeland Security/TSA.  In 2008, I was issued the required TWIC credential.  I’ve been enrolled in the Maritime Drug Testing Consortium since 2007 where I am selected for random drug & alcohol screening.  I am also STCW 95 certified, First Aid & CPR certified and possess a current passport.

Boating Instructor:  I provided new boaters a 4-hour orientation and 4-hour advanced courses for the Freedom Boat Club in Naples.  This course is required of all new members before they can drive a boat on their own (inshore) and experienced members who wish to take boats out on the Gulf of Mexico (offshore). 

I also offer to teach the Florida BoatSafe Course that is now required by the Florida Wildlife & Conservation Commission (FWCC) if someone was born after January 1, 1988 and would like to operate a power vessel 10 HP or more.  I’ve taught dozens of youngsters and new boaters to the Naples area who are unfamiliar with the waters in Southwest Florida in both the classroom environment and on the water.
 
New Boater Training:  My training for new boaters includes an overview of the parts of a boat, required safety equipment, rules of the road, use of GPS, knowing tides, currents and weather conditions and how to care for a boat.  This is followed by on-water instruction where I demonstrate operating the boat, piloting, docking and securing a boat.  When ready, you will take over to demonstrate what you were shown.
 
Experience:  I piloted the 96′ & 105′ Naples Princess Skipperliner (both with thrusters) from 2007 to 2016, a 75′ Viking, a 60′ Hatteras, a 54' Azimut flybridge, a 53′ Carver, a 51' Sea Ray Sundancer (M/V King Fish V as Yacht Manager), a 50' Jefferson Charter Vessel, a 43′ Silverton, a 37′ & 40' Formula PC, a 39' Sabre, 36′ Chris Craft Corsair, 34′ Hinckley picnic boats, numerous smaller Sea Ray boats & sedan bridges; Four Winns Vistas and Boston Whaler Outrages, Vantages and Conquests from 31′ to 42′ in length during the past 35 years.  And, for 11 years, I owned and operated the (4) M/V Maritime Lady boats as a private charter sightseeing boat here in Naples Bay. 

Florida Locations & Marinas I have piloted to

 
Key West, FL - Key West Bight, Galleon & Conch Harbor
Marathon, FL - Faro Blanco Marina
Duck Key, FL - Hawk's Cay Resort
Key Largo, FL - Ocean Reef Resort
Ft. Lauderdale, FL - Bahia Mar Resort
Stuart, FL - Harborage Yacht Club
Clewiston, FL (Lake O) - Roland Martin Resort
Ft. Myers, FL - St. Charles Yacht Club, Legacy Marina, Pink Shell Resort
Sanibel, FL - Sanibel Yacht Club
Captiva, FL - South Seas Island Marina & Tween Waters Resort
Useppa Island, FL - Bocilla Marina 
Boca Grande, FL - Boca Grande Marina, Gasparilla Marina & Uncle Henry's Marina
Sarasota, FL - Marina Jack
Marco Island, FL - Marco Island Yacht Club, Esplanade, Isles of Capri Marina
Naples, FL - Naples Yacht Club, Naples Sailing & Yacht Club, Hamilton Harbor Yacht Club
 
Wedding Officiant:  As a Florida Notary Public and an ordained Christian Minister, I’ve performed over a hundred weddings on land and at sea; both civil and spiritual ceremonies.  Services include: helping you write your vows, attending a rehearsal (if necessary), meeting ahead of time go get to know the couple and helping coordinate the event with the sound company and photographer.


                                                    I have received all necessary COVID 19 vaccination.



 

About

Boating in Southwest Florida

Private Piloting / Charter Operations – Your Boat (or) a Rental Boat!​

Let’s say you own a boat or yacht but don’t want to deal with sitting behind the helm while your family and friends enjoy a fun day in the sun!  You’d like a cocktail or a beer or two but know that marine law enforcement officers are keeping an eye out for unsafe boaters…. just relax and leave the driving to me!

Let’s say you’d like to rent a deck boat or pontoon boat but know nothing about the shallow water on the Gordon River and prefer not to go aground or damage the boat on an oyster bed…. just relax and leave the driving to me!  

ALL the local rental operators allow me to pilot their rental pontoons and deck boats for you! All rental marinas prefer a licensed and insured captain to drive for their customers.  Just call me before you make your reservation.  If I’m available, I’ll be happy to take you out.  Then, just relax and leave the driving to me! 

Whether you want to take your family and friends out on the water for a leisurely sightseeing cruise around Naples Bay; spend a few hours *fishing * on the Gulf or backwater, or on an island beach shelling or swimming; take a ride down the inland waterway to Marco Island for lunch at CJ’s on the Bay, Deep Lagoon or Mango’s Bistro; take a day-long cruise up the coast to Ft. Myers Beach, Sanibel Island, Captiva Island or spend the day cruising to Cabbage Key or Boca Grande…. just relax and leave the driving to me!   NOTE:  I am happy to take you *fishing*..... However, please note that I am NOT a fishing guide!

Does your boat have at least 2 engines?  Let's go to the Keys for a couple of days, a weekend or even longer!

Boating Lessons - YOUR boat (or) a RENTAL boat!
 
You may have just delivered your boat to SW Florida or purchased a new or used boat.  You may want to try renting a boat to see if you like boating and would like a captain to show you the at-risk areas to watch out for at low tide (i.e., shoals, sandbars, oyster beds, etc.) and/or to teach you safe boating operations and navigational skills or, you just want to learn how to pilot the waters in and around the area.

Private Sightseeing Tours, Lunch & Sunset Charters!
 
I'm available to pilot your boat for one, two, three or four hour narrated, sightseeing locally or anywhere in Southwest Florida.

Wedding Officiant!

As a Florida Notary and an ordained Christian Minister, you can have your (civil or spiritual) wedding performed on the beach or at sea; on your boat or a large yacht like the Naples Princess; on an island or at a local resort.  I can assist you with writing your own vows to make your day as special as possible or, I will perform a traditional Christian ceremony.  I can perform your wedding ceremony dressed in my U.S. Merchant Marine service dress uniform (whites or blues), formal dinner dress uniform (whites or blues), Chaplain’s uniform with clerical collar, a business suit or in casual wear.

Boat Deliveries!

Either alone or with a colleague, I/We can deliver your motor vessel to or from Southwest Florida and take the anxiety off of you to get your boat to your desired destination.



 

Boating in SWFL
Services

Services / Rates

PRIVATE PILOTING
Your Charter Boat 

Your Private Boat

A Rental Boat

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$100.00 (per hour)

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Piloting your Charter Boat or Private Boat - (add $50 for travel by car if drive-time is more than

30 minutes each way)

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$500.00 (per day)

 Overnights (plus Expenses)

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$50.00 (per hour)

Piloting a Rental Boat

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  • Hourly General Piloting 

  • Half Day / Full Day / Multiple Days

  • Sea Trials with Your Vessel

  • Lunch Trips, Daily Outings,

  • Sunsets

  • Weddings / Releasing of Ashes

  • Overnight Trips

WEDDING OFFICIANT

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$200.00

(Collier County)

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$250.00

(Lee County)

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I can perform both civil ceremonies (as a Notary Public) & spiritual ceremonies (as an ordained Christian Minister) in Merchant Marine uniform.
 

  • Consulting with & assisting in writing the vow ceremony

  • Meeting prior to the wedding (if desired)

  • Attending your rehearsal (if desired)

  • Time to perform the ceremony (including travel)

  • Staying for photos and/or giving the benediction at the reception

  • Vow Renewals

PRIVATE LESSONS
Your Boat or

a Rental Boat

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$100.00 (per hour)

 $50.00 (per 1/2 hour)

Minimum 2-Hours

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(add $50.00 for travel by car if

drive-time is more than

30 minutes each way)

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  • Private Boating Lessons for one or two people

  • Pre-trip Inspections

  • Docking Skills Training

  • Boat Handling Skills Training

  • Navigation

  • Rules-of-the-Road

  • Learning the at-risk areas

  • Learning the Speed Zones on the River

  • Novices, Intermediate and Advanced Boaters welcome!

  • Guests are welcome

  • Pets are welcome

  • Unlimited Email/Text Support

RELEASING OF ASHES

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200.00

(1 - 4 people)

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$300.00

(5 or more people)

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Using YOUR Boat

or

Using YOUR Rental Boat

(Up to 2 Hours)

($50.00 per 1/2 hour over)

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NO DEPOSIT REQUIRED!

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ALL fees listed are due AFTER the provided service. 

BOAT DELIVERIES

& CONSULTING

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Help you with buying a boat

Move your boat from one location to another, from a marina to your home or visa-versa

Deliveries by water only

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$100.00 (per hour)

 $50.00 (per 1/2 hour)

$500.00 (per day)

Plus Expenses

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As a licensed and insured captain, I will pick up and deliver your vessel. 

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Travel expenses include getting to your boat to bring it to Naples or coming back after delivery away from Naples.

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A second captain can be provided for $200.00 more per day.

 

A written Agreement will be provided.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Forms of Payment

Accepted

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  • Cash

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  • American Check

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  • Master Card

  • VISA

  • American Express

  • Discover

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  • ZELLE

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A written Agreement will be provided.

naples_pier.jpg
Links

Links

Available services for your special event

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• Venue: The Naples Princess –               www.naplesprincesscruises.com

• Venue: The Marco Island Princess –  www.themarcoislandprincess.com.com

• Venue: The Hyatt House –                      www.naples.house.hyatt.com/en/hotel/home.html.com

• Venue: The Inn on Fifth –                       www.innonfifth.com


• Planner: Alexis Michel-Angelo –         www.weddingwire.com

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• Photographer: David Michael –           www.dmichael.biz

• Photographer: Mark Block –                 www.markblock-photography.com

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• Entertainers: Bill Colletti –                    http://billcolletti.wix.com/music

• Entertainers: Mirage Naples –              http://www.MirageNaples.com

• Entertainers: Joey Fiato –                       http://www.joeyfiato.com

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http://www.examiner.com/article/maritime-lady-and-naples-princess-cruise-naples-waterways


Operation Open Arms – Free Officiant for Active Military Personnel

http://operationopenarms.org/services/personal-services/

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Contact
Complete Contact Form ONLY When Ready to Book
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