Meet the Black Flag Charters Dive Crew

Our Boats

The M/V Pirates Obsession was custom built for diving. Here are some of her features:

40-foot vessel powered by a 325hp Caterpillar diesel engine.
Fly bridge with two VHF radios, Emergency Position Indicating Radio Beacon (EPIRB), Global Positioning System (GPS), depth finder, and stereo.
Spacious deck and forward bow provide room for 36 persons (crew + passengers)
USCG certified for 24 persons which allows for up to 20 guests on our private charters. We typically limit our “regular” trips to 15 or fewer divers for even more comfort.
Spacious custom aluminum tank racks to accommodate any size SCUBA tanks, including doubles and re-breathers.
Custom built dive platform with ladder and handrails for easy entry and exit.
Fresh (HOT) water shower with soap, shampoo, and conditioner.
Head (toilet)
Fresh water rinse tank for cameras.
Complimentary snacks, and refreshments.

Safety equipment: DAN Oxygen Kit, Automated External Defibrillator (AED), and fully stocked First Aid kit.

Destinations

Pirates Obsession

Your Trusted West Palm Beach Dive Crew

At Black Flag Charters, our dive crew is a tight-knit team of passionate pros who know the reefs, wrecks, and waters around West Palm Beach like their own backyard. Whether you’re new to diving or a seasoned pro, you’ll be in good hands with a crew that’s safety-certified, deeply local, and all about making your underwater adventure unforgettable.

Captain Tony

Captain Tony brings a diverse background to Black Flag Charters, with career experience as a Developer, Business Owner, and Educator. While each path has been fulfilling, nothing compares to life on the water.

With a deep love for the sea and a commitment to safety, exploration, and fun, Captain Tony is here to ensure your dive experience is unforgettable.

“Every time I step behind the helm, I get to take people on an adventure. I'm incredibly lucky to share my passion for the ocean and all her wonders with our guests.”— Captain Tony

Captain Joey

Captain Joey’s journey started as a deckhand and led him all the way to the helm. Through hard work, dedication, and a deep love for the ocean, he earned his captain’s stripes—and never lost the energy and spirit that got him there.

With an outgoing personality and quick wit, Captain Joey keeps the crew laughing and the guests smiling. Whether it’s your first dive or your fiftieth, he goes above and beyond to make sure every trip is safe, memorable, and full of good vibes.

Joey is also a passionate advocate for ocean conservation and enjoys sharing his knowledge about marine life with guests of all ages.

Crew

Donna "Dive Guide/ Instructor"

Donna discovered scuba diving in 1992 and instantly fell in love with the underwater world. After years of juggling work, family, and dive trips from the Carolina's to Florida, she made the leap in 2008 leaving her day job behind to pursue diving full time. Since then, she hasn’t looked back.

A PADI Master Instructor since 2006, Donna has taught countless students and logged thousands of dives around the globe. Her passion? Live-aboard diving eat, sleep, dive, repeat. She’s a self-proclaimed scuba junkie and true mermaid at heart.

Donna is known for her calm guidance, deep diving knowledge, and infectious love for the ocean. Whether you're learning to dive or joining her on an advanced excursion, she makes every experience memorable, safe, and fun.

You’ll often hear her say:

“It’s not a real job I wear my bathing suit to work and I don’t wear shoes.”

When she's not underwater, Donna enjoys spending time with her two daughters and six grandchildren. She's also famous among the crew for her underwater navigation skills and her talents in the kitchen both, as she says, are chef’s kiss.

EJ "Dive Guide/Photographer"

EJ has been water fanatic since he was 6-7 years old. Learning to swim, water ski and later on to scuba dive. He got certified in 1999 and hasn’t looked back. After moving to South Florida, his passion for diving grew, and by 2012 he earned his Divemaster certification.

“I love diving the reefs of West Palm. There’s always something cool to see depending on the season sea turtles in summer, big sharks in December and that’s not even counting the seahorses, octopus, and frogfish hiding out at Phil Foster Park.”

With years of experience exploring these waters, EJ knows the local reefs and wrecks inside and out. He enjoys guiding divers and helping them connect with the marine life that makes this area so special.

When he’s not diving, EJ is often behind a camera above or below the surface capturing the underwater world he loves. And when he's not in Florida, there's a good chance he’s working (or diving) somewhere overseas.

Christian "Dive Guide / Shark-Handler"

Christian Torres is an Ecuador born ocean adventurer whose life has been intertwined with the sea since 1999, when he first began diving. Over the years, he has forged a reputation as a fearless treasure hunter, passionate underwater photographer, and professional shark handler skills that require equal parts respect, knowledge, and courage.

As a certified Divemaster, Christian has guided countless underwater journeys, sharing the beauty and mystery of the marine world. His work goes beyond exploration, he is a dedicated ocean defender and animal lover, advocating for the protection of fragile marine ecosystems and their inhabitants.

From vibrant coral reefs to deep, uncharted waters, Christian’s travels have taken him across the globe in search of rare encounters, lost relics, and unforgettable stories beneath the waves. Whether interacting with sharks, documenting marine life, or uncovering sunken history, his mission remains the same: to inspire awe, respect, and love for the ocean.