Michael was born in Northwestern Pennsylvania by Lake Erie. Being around lakes and fresh water rivers fishing and boating was a big part of
growing up. After attending university at Edinboro PA for business/accounting his career plans took a turn when he took an interest in Maritime in San Francisco in 2015. The rest is history and his love of the ocean, care and safety of vessels, and providing the best experience to guests and friends around him to the top standards has become his main goal.
Michael worked as an engineer on larger yachts before adventuring into a captain role aboard catamarans. He ran Floatation
Therapy a 450 lagoon for 3 seasons as well as Liquid Zen a Lagoon 52' for one season, and always provides the best guest experience and highest standards of vessel maintenance.

Sara was born in Texas and lived her younger years in San Antonio. At 13 years old her parents decided to move onto their 41’morgan out island sailboat. She lived onboard invincible until she was 18. During those 5 years onboard, she traveled through the eastern and western Caribbean learning Spanish, surfing, sailing, and living a life on the ocean. Growing up on the ocean inspired her to pursue a career in maritime. She loves entertaining and sharing her knowledge of the water to ensure the most spectacular time for her guests and friends alike. Being the chef onboard it will be her pleasure for her to provide you the absolute best entrees and hors d’oeuvres. Sara with her sense of adventure, love for the water, and culinary skills she will ensure you to have the best experience on any vessel. Sara has taken her cooking to the next level over the past 3 seasons on Floatation Therapy and 1 season on Liquid Zen, attending culinary courses, and always coming up with the next best dish in her menu.

Michael and Sara first met on a 160’ sailing yacht in New York City working as crew. Michael was the engineer and Sara was the deckhand/crew chef. They hit it off instantly developing a relationship both professionally and romantically. The couple worked for 2 years together sailing and exploring New York, Newport in the summer, the Caribbean, and Bermuda in the winter. Michael and Sara took their skills to the sailing catamaran Floatation Therapy for 3 seasons and Liquid Zen for 1 season, providing the best experience for all their charter guests. They are thrilled for new adventures aboard Justified Horizons.

Shelley Black was born and raised in California. She fell in love with the ocean at a young age and would often sail to Catalina island with her family. After studying art and graphic design in college she started working on a private yacht in Mexico. Exploring all around Baja California deepened her desire to travel and for the last four years she has been working as a deck/ stew on several different yachts. Having been on deck, she excels in water sports and enjoys free diving. Shelley loves to curate personalized experiences for her guests, from specialty cocktails to table decor and theme parties. She’s ready to create new and exciting experiences this season in the Virgin Islands.


Captain Michael Plotner

Qualifications:

USCG 100 ton Masters
PADI Dive Instructor
AEC 1
AEC 2
STCW

Chef Sara Hogan

Qualifications:
USCG 100 ton Masters
RYA Day Skipper
STCW
PADI Open Water
CULINARY ARTS CERTIFICATE Ashburton


First Mate Shelley Black

Qualifications:

STCW ( exp 2029)
Tender driving

<b>Crew fully vaccinated<b/>

Chef Sara's Sample Menu