Emily Weston
FOUNDER/OWNER/GENERAL MANAGEROriginally from London, England, Emily has lived in St. Croix since 2004.
A love of leatherback sea turtles first brought her to the island and inspired her to pursue a career in marine biology. She earned her undergraduate degree in Marine Science and Biology (along with a BA in English Literature) from the University of Miami and a Master of Science degree in Marine Biology from Florida Atlantic University.
For several years she continued to work as a researcher on the leatherback sea turtle project of St. Croix (need to know anything about sea turtle sex ratios? Ask her!). Since then, her career has gone through several iterations including positions as a coral reef researcher, environmental educator, veterinary technician, restaurant server and manager, bartender, PADI Open Water Scuba Instructor, and professional photographer. She has exhibited her photos in several galleries throughout the US Virgin Islands.
Emily is also a USCG licensed Master Captain. As a diver and marine biologist, she dreamed of having her own boat one day, and always wanted to be a business owner. When she’s not on Jolly Mon or running the business side of Lyric Sails, she works actively in the St.Croix community, organizing large events such as the July 4th fireworks and as a board member of the St Croix Chamber of Commerce and the Frederiksted Economic Development Association (FEDA). She is also passionate about animals, and is currently Board President of the St. Croix Animal Welfare Center.
And when not working, she can be found underwater taking photos or hanging out with her longtime partner Joe and their 3 year old daughter Alice and their menagerie of rescue dogs, cats, horses, tortoises and chickens.
Email:lyricsailsvi@gmail.com
Captain Mike Simpson
Lead CaptainCaptain Mike is originally from New Jersey, but grew up in Dallas, Texas. It was there he began his passion for sailing, navigating the numerous North Texas lakes located around the DFW metroplex.
He continued his love for sailing in college at University of Southern California, participating in NROTC sail team, Deep Water Cruising classes, and passages up and down the Pacific coast.
He returned to Dallas, met and married his wife Jennifer, and introduced her to sailing. They honeymooned in St Croix! Together, they have owned three vessels, the next one bigger than the last. In 2003, they hatched a plan to go cruising and in 2012 they cast off all lines from Ft Lauderdale. For five years they cruised the Florida Keys, Bahamas, the US and British Virgins, and almost every island in the Eastern Caribbean from Puerto Rico to Grenada. They are happy to call STX home!
Captain Mike brings 43 years of sailing experience to Lyric Sails. He is a licensed USCG Master Captain, and certified with STCW standards and First Aid / CPR (AED). He is also a PADI Open Water diver and can recommend many great spots around the island.
Feel like getting married? Captain Mike can do that too! He is registered with the USVI as an officiant to perform ceremonies.
Janek Poniatowski
Captain/1st MateJanek moved to St Croix in 2016 with his wife, Brittany and temperamental cat, Monday. He worked on the St Croix-St Thomas ferry before joining Lyric Sails as a 1st Mate. In 2019, he obtained is USCG 100-ton Master Captain’s license and is thrilled now be driving Jolly Mon!
Joe Bencosme
Engineer/BartenderJoe has been involved with Lyric Sails since 2016 as Jolly Mon’s fix-it man. From late-nights fixing the ladder before an early morning sail, to fixing the head, Joe has been instrumental in keeping the boat floating. He is also our Spanish translator and navigator when Jolly Mon goes to Puerto Rico every season. He also moonlights as a bartender and crew for sails when he’s not at his day job as a master mechanic and HVAC technician.
Jolly Mon
The BoatJolly Mon is a Peter Spronk built custom sailing catamaran, originally named Che Cje (pronounced Chay Cha). She is 63ft long and sports a beam of 24ft and a 3ft draft. She was built in 1968 in St. Maarten–originally for transatlantic racing which she held several records in throughout the ’70s.
She was then bought by a smuggler who lived off of Key Biscayne, FL in the ’80s. In the mid-nineties, the US government caught up with him and seized the boat and sold her at auction. She was bought by Miles and Mark Sperber who retired her from her tough, previous life and turned her into a charter boat in the US Virgin Islands. Lyric Sails officially purchased Jolly Mon in December 2015!
Jolly Mon is a US Coastguard inspected vessel capable of holding 49 passengers and 3 crew members. Six years ago, she received a brand new mast and rigging, and 2 years ago she got a new paint job and was painted red! She is dedicatedly maintained to keep her looking beautiful, safe and in tip-top shape. We are constantly trying to improve her!
Her favorite activities include singing (while we are sailing, listen for her hum in C-minor), sailing fast (12knots is her current sweet spot) and giving people an awesome time. She is the happiest boat in the Caribbean.
Brett Mello
First MateBrett has been traveling the US his whole adult life working as a naturalist, climbing guide and photography instructor. He has never lived in the same place twice, until he came to St Croix, first sailing on the tall ship Roseway and now on Jolly Mon, 5 years later!
Crew Emeritus
Haley Hendrickson
Mate 2015-2016
Captain Bob Cornish
Captain 2015-16
Tonia Ciancialli
Mate 2016-17
Matt Flowers
Mate 2016-17
Vanessa & Steve Worona
Mates 2016-2019
Captain Eric Vincent
Captain-2017
Brittany Callens
Bartender 2016-2018
Mandy and John Gibson
Mate and Captain 2018-19