The Qualified Captain Podcast

Aaron Stasiak
  • 4.9 (35)
  • SELF-IMPROVEMENT
  • UPDATED BIWEEKLY

Throughout the years, The Qualified Captain has kept boat owners and watermen entertained. After all the laughs, there came a time when we needed to educate and raise awareness about the crazy stories we see on the water. As a result, this podcast will feature the best sea stories, survivors, heroes, captains from different industries, and ultimately anyone who loves being on the water. We'll tell you the ugly truth, with some laughs along the way. Hope you enjoy.

  1. Qualified Captain Podcast #45: Dylan Flack & USCG AST3 Eric Sorensen

    APR 23

    Qualified Captain Podcast #45: Dylan Flack & USCG AST3 Eric Sorensen

    Dylan Flack is a young offshore sailor with a deep passion for life on the water. In this episode, he shares the story of a serious offshore incident and how he and his crew handled it under pressure. From quick decision-making to staying calm in a high-stress environment, their response and execution were nothing short of impressive. It’s a powerful conversation about seamanship, mindset, and doing things the right way when it matters most. Joining him is USCG AST3 Eric Sorensen, one of the elite rescue swimmers responsible for responding to emergencies at sea. Eric ultimately rescued Dylan and his crew, and this conversation marks the first time the two have seen each other in person since that moment in the helicopter. https://www.acrartex.com/ https://www.gocoastguard.com/

    1h 22m
  2. Qualified Captain Podcast Episode #44: Matt Bridgewater CEO of GEMLUX

    APR 6

    Qualified Captain Podcast Episode #44: Matt Bridgewater CEO of GEMLUX

    Matt Bridgewater is the President and CEO of GEMLUX, a leading manufacturer of premium marine hardware trusted by top boat builders and offshore anglers. With a lifelong passion for boating and fishing, Matt has helped drive innovation across the industry, developing products designed to solve real problems on the water. In this episode, we dive into his journey, the growth of GEMLUX, and how his hands-on approach continues to shape the future of marine hardware. https://gemlux.com/

    29 min
  3. Qualified Captain Podcast Episode #43 - Scott Thompson

    MAR 19

    Qualified Captain Podcast Episode #43 - Scott Thompson

    Scott Thompson is a commercial diver out of Ventura, California, harvesting sea urchins and sea cucumbers along the Pacific coast. In January 2022, Scott fell overboard near Santa Cruz Island and found himself alone in the open ocean while his boat was still in gear. What followed was an incredible fight for survival, swimming for over five hours until he finally reached a nearby oil platform and managed to climb to safety. In this episode, Scott shares the full story of what happened that day, what was going through his mind during those long hours in the water, and how his simple mindset of “just keep swimming” kept him moving forward. We also dive into his career as a commercial diver and the realities of working on the water. This episode is brought to you by ACR Electronics, a leader in marine safety gear like EPIRBs, PLBs, AIS beacons, and rescue lights designed to help rescuers find you faster when it matters most. And for listeners of The Qualified Captain Podcast, you can save 10% at ACRElectronics.com using code TQC10. ⁠https://www.acrartex.com⁠

    1h 26m
  4. Qualified Captain Podcast Episode #42 - USCGC Sturgeon Bay LT Aidan Uvanni & SN Isabella Grace Cantrell

    MAR 6

    Qualified Captain Podcast Episode #42 - USCGC Sturgeon Bay LT Aidan Uvanni & SN Isabella Grace Cantrell

    Aidan Uvanni is the Executive Officer aboard Coast Guard Cutter Sturgeon Bay, a 140-foot icebreaking tug based in Bayonne, New Jersey. A 2021 graduate of the U.S. Coast Guard Academy with a degree in Civil Engineering, his first assignment took him to Cutter Polar Star, where he served as a Deck Watch Officer and Ice Pilot, deploying to Antarctica for Operation Deep Freeze 2022. In 2022, Aidan earned a Fulbright Scholarship to pursue graduate studies in the Czech Republic, becoming the only Coast Guard service member in the country while completing a Master’s in Water and Environmental Engineering. His service has earned him multiple military honors, including two Commandant Letters of Commendation and the Antarctic Service Medal. Isabella Grace Cantrell enlisted in the United States Coast Guard at just 17 years old and currently serves as a Seaman aboard Coast Guard Cutter Sturgeon Bay. Originally from southwestern Virginia, she has also lived in Southeast Alaska and coastal North Carolina, building a life centered around the water. After graduating boot camp in September 2025, Isabella enlisted as a vested Boatswain’s Mate, meaning she’ll return to her unit as a Third Class Petty Officer. She reported to Sturgeon Bay just in time for the most intense domestic icebreaking season in a decade, helping facilitate the transport of 12.2 million barrels of oil through the frozen Hudson River. She has earned both Sailor of the Quarter for CGC Sturgeon Bay and Greater Sector New York’s Enlisted Person of the Quarter, and is fully qualified as a non-rate, including OOD and QMOW, while serving as Lead Seaman. She is set to become only the second female Boatswain’s Mate aboard the cutter since its commissioning. Interested in joining the U.S. Coast Guard? Check out https://www.gocoastguard.com/

    26 min
  5. Qualified Captain Podcast Episode #41: Zach Pierce Big Rock Boat Fire

    FEB 15

    Qualified Captain Podcast Episode #41: Zach Pierce Big Rock Boat Fire

    Zach Pierce joins us to share his firsthand experience surviving a rapidly escalating boat fire during the Big Rock Tournament out of Morehead City, North Carolina. He breaks down how the crew responded, what went right, and what could have been done differently. Zach is an electrician with a background in marine electronics, including Seakeeper installations, and has worked with the Little River Fishing Fleet. A lifelong fisherman, he brings decades of experience offshore and on the beach; along with hard-earned lessons in boating safety. This episode is brought to you by the Water Sports Foundation. The Water Sports Foundation (WSF) is the nonprofit educational arm of the Water Sports Industry Association, dedicated to promoting boating and paddling safety across the United States. Its mission is to reduce accidents and fatalities on the water through public education, outreach, and advocacy. https://www.watersportsfoundation.com https://www.acrartex.com

    42 min
  6. Qualified Captain Podcast Episode #40: Jordan Hanssen

    JAN 29

    Qualified Captain Podcast Episode #40: Jordan Hanssen

    Jordan Eugene Hanssen is a marine filmmaker, adventurer, and the author of Rowing Into the Sun. He is also a Guinness World Record holder and one of the few people to have rowed across the Atlantic Ocean, an expedition that pushed the limits of endurance, teamwork, and resilience. Today, Jordan shares stories from that crossing and the lessons learned from life at sea. This Episode is brought to you by ACR Artex. ACR is a global leader in lifesaving and survival equipment for the marine and aviation industries. Known for their EPIRBs, PLBs, AIS beacons, and emergency signaling devices, ACR Artex builds products trusted by professionals operating in the most extreme conditions. Use code TQC10 for 10% off, and make sure you’re prepared wherever you go. https://www.acrartex.com/

    2h 17m
  7. Qualified Captain Podcast Episode #39 - U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Macon BM2 Capetola, BM3 Vass, & BM3 Gibson

    JAN 15

    Qualified Captain Podcast Episode #39 - U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Macon BM2 Capetola, BM3 Vass, & BM3 Gibson

    I sat down with BM2 John Capetola, BM3 Michael Gibson, and BM3 Fitzhugh “Brett” Vass from U.S. Coast Guard Station Fort Macon in North Carolina to break down a challenging Coast Guard rescue off the North Carolina coast. We discuss how the situation unfolded, the conditions they faced, and what it takes when someone has to enter the water. Interested in joining the U.S. Coast Guard?  Check out ⁠https://www.gocoastguard.com/⁠

    57 min
  8. Qualified Captain Podcast Episode #38 - Captain Mike Vinik SS United States 1,800 Mile Tow

    12/21/2025

    Qualified Captain Podcast Episode #38 - Captain Mike Vinik SS United States 1,800 Mile Tow

    Mike Vinik is the owner and founder of Vinik Marine, a New Jersey–based tugboat and marine services company founded in 2005. He graduated high school from the Marine Academy of Science and Technology in Sandy Hook, New Jersey, and later earned his degree from The State University of New York Maritime College, launching his career by purchasing and restoring an old tugboat. Vinik Marine has since grown into a respected small fleet providing tug and barge assists, towing, logistics support, and specialty marine work throughout the New York/New Jersey harbor region. In February 2025, Mike and his crew were awarded the bid to tow the historic SS United States, the legendary American ocean liner built in 1952 that still holds the transatlantic speed record from Philadelphia to Destin, Florida, where it is slated to become the world’s largest artificial reef. This episode is brought to you by Turtlebox. The new Turtlebox Ranger is the best bang for your buck. For its size, it’s unbelievably loud, built tough, and fully waterproof — perfect for boats, docks, and real use. https://turtleboxaudio.com/

    54 min
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4.9
out of 5
35 Ratings

About

Throughout the years, The Qualified Captain has kept boat owners and watermen entertained. After all the laughs, there came a time when we needed to educate and raise awareness about the crazy stories we see on the water. As a result, this podcast will feature the best sea stories, survivors, heroes, captains from different industries, and ultimately anyone who loves being on the water. We'll tell you the ugly truth, with some laughs along the way. Hope you enjoy.

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