Boats & Crew

Our Boats

Pirates Obsession

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.

Pirates Paradise

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

34-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 24 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 12 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, and fully stocked First Aid kit.

The Pirate's Crew!

Destinations

Captain Tony's has a very diverse background. Career paths have been Developer, Business Owner, Educator, all very rewarding. However, having the privilege of being a Captain has been amazing!

“I get to take people on an adventure every time I get behind the helm! I am extremely fortunate to be able to share my passion for the ocean and all of her wonders with our guests!. “

Captain Tony

Captain Jim

Captain Jim comes to us as a graduate of G.W.Hewlett High School

Via Danbury CT.

After 40 years in electrical construction and a 10 year stint as a facilities engineer he took his PADI Master instructor credentials and 100 Ton Master captain’s license and began what was to be the most rewarding of his careers.

“I never realized how rewarding it would be to show others the beauty of the undersea world and know that possibly I’ve shown them something that might change their lives. An adventure for the whole family to share together. “

Now you might see Captain Jim on the bridge of Pirates Obsession or Pirates Paradise. He is now taking our guests to the local dive sites around Palm Beach.

If he’s not on one of the boats driving

or doing maintenance or sometimes even diving, you might find him playing ice hockey 2 or 3 times a week.

Capt Jim Harris

Crew

Captain Joey

Captain Joey worked his way up from deckhand to captain! His witty humor and skill with drops ensures all guests have a great experience!.

Captain Zach

Captain Zach has been a United States Coast Guard Captain for 20 years. He currently holds a 200 Ton Master Captains Credential. Zach Brings along his local knowledge, friendly demeanor and infectious laugh. Captain Zach is a welcome addition to the Black Flag Charters team of instructors and to the crew of Pirates Obsession and Pirates Paradise.

Zach enjoys Photography above and below the water . You will find his photos featured often on social media.

During his free time you can find Zach in and around the ocean trying to narrow down his favorite dive spots!

USCG 200 Ton Captain, Padi Staff Instructor, Underwater Photographer and advocate for the ocean and all her inhabitants.

Lauren M

Lauren is born and raised in New Jersey, and migrated south for South Florida at 18 to study marine biology at the University of Miami. While in school, she worked her way up to become a PADI and SSI dive instructor. After graduating with her bachelors degree, she chose to continue working full time on the ocean, traveling around the Bahamas working in yachting and crewing all types of boats! The past few years she has moved to West Palm Beach to continue her love for sharks and specialize in shark biology and conservation.

“Leading shark ecotourism trips has been a dream come true, helping share our message of conservation through education - and seeing our local sharks help others overcome their fear and turn it to a fascination and love for sharks. Getting to call our local sharks my co-workers is special, and learning their personalities and studying their behavior has been such an honor to call my job the last few years!”

You can find her aboard our boats leading our shark dives with her favorite lemon sharks, or drifting along our reefs and wrecks pointing out all the cool creatures. When she’s not on the boat, you can find her at a local yoga class or slinging some drinks bartending at night!

Donna S

Donna Smith discovered scuba diving in 1992 and embraced it wholeheartedly. After countless trips from the Carolinas to Florida between work and kids, in 2008, she was finally able to leave her day job and move to Florida. Donna is a PADI master instructor and has been teaching since 2006. She travels all over the world and has thousands of dives under her belt. Liveaboard diving is her favorite (eat sleep and dive). She can often be heard saying "its not a real job I wear my bathing suit to work, and I don't wear shoes.” A mermaid at heart and a scuba diving junkie, she loves to be underwater showing customers the wonders of our beautiful waters! Donna has two daughters and six grandchildren, and she is known for her skills in the kitchen and underwater navigation - both of which are chefs kiss.

Cameron M

Cameron Mahaffey, SSI Divemaster, NSS CDS Cave Diver, from Houston Texas, favorite quote by Carl Sagan~ “Every child has the scientist's sense of wonder and awe. Sustaining this sense of wonder presents teachers, parents, and others close to children with a tremendous responsibility—and an extraordinary opportunity.”