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 was enrolled in the Maritime Drug Testing Consortium from 2007 until 2016 where I was randomly selected for drug & alcohol screening.  I was also STCW 95 certified, First Aid & CPR certified while working aboard the Naples Princess,

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 offered to teach the Florida BoatSafe Course that is 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.