About Boat Safe Great Lakes

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Captain Jeff teaches elementary school! A teacher for 25 years, he easily schools passengers how to operate a boat!

Captain Jeff also works as a boat safety trainer for our friends at Freedom Boat Club. Want to go charter fishing in Michigan? Captain Jeff is the best!

Speaking of Michigan, Jeff grew up in Rockford, ,MI, and has lived in Holland, MI, for the last 26 years.

In 2023, Captain Jeff passed on operating multiple charters on Chicago Scene Day to take his daughter to college instead! A great Captain and a great dad!

Jeff has two daughters. One attends college in Ohio, and his youngest daughter is a high school sophomore.

Jeff coaches his daughter’s high school tennis team! GO West Ottawa Panthers!

Captain Jeff loves fishing, hiking, and enjoying time on the water. In his spare time, he plays guitar in an 80’s cover band!

Captain William Shehan, an Army Veteran, a US Sailing Instructor, and a USCG licensed Master Captain, has been with Boat Safe Chicago and Boat Safe Great Lakes since their founding.

Captain William left the Army in 1991 after being injured in the line of duty. Captain William sustained a total brain injury, other major physical and neurologic damage, as well as psychological damage. Like many other Veterans, William struggled, even with the support of the VA Hospital System.

Playing chess, William learned to gain some control over the 64 squares and by extension, his life. With meditation, he learned to control his breathing and stress. He regained some control of his body with martial arts, but he still felt something was missing.

Then a friend invited him to go sailing- and that changed everything.

"As I took the tiller and guided the boat, I felt at peace. On the water, in connection with the sky and water with me as the interface, I felt like I had some control of my life and a sense of calm that no other therapy had given me. To be away from the city noise- the stress of it all and to be focused on the feel of the boat, to be focused on what was needed to keep the sails full and us on course- allowed me to let go of the pain and suffering I faced daily, if even for a little bit.

Now when I am onshore and feel a situation becoming overwhelming, I take a breath and think about being on the water and in control. This allows me to face things that years ago would have stopped me in my tracks. Now 30+ years later, I can help my brothers and sisters.”

William runs a non-profit, No Salt Sailing, which teaches Veterans how to sail. Having taught at numerous universities and corporations has helped William develop his successful teaching style.

Captain William is Shehan Sensei, the resident Haiku poet at the Japanese Culture Center – 日本文化会館, has been published worldwide including Haiku International, Haiku Society of America, Modern Haiku, and has spoken on Japanese Television on Haiku.

Boat Safe Great Lakes feels honored to have Captain William as part of our team.

Danica Uzelac, a nurse and founding partner of Boat Safe Great Lakes, spent much of her career tirelessly caring for patients and their families. She attributes her success in connecting captains with students and charter guests to her extensive hospital experience juggling patients and procedures.

With a strong interest in vessel and water safety, Danica was integral to Boat Safe Chicago’s success. Her submissions to the Sea Tow Foundation locked in Boat Safe Chicago as the winner of TWO 2023 National Safe Boating Awards. Additionally, Danica has written for Lakeland Boating Magazine and numerous other publications as a freelance writer.

Danica is a mother to two teenage daughters and also fosters refugee children. She has a funny cat named Boo Boo Kitty. Since 2020, Danica has been a member of the Freedom Boat Club, which gives her access to brand-new boats worldwide, and she enjoys spending her free time pursuing this hobby.

Captain Joseph, a lifelong resident of Chicago's near west side, has had a passion for the water for as long as he can remember.

Captain Joseph began his maritime career in 2010 as a deckhand at Shoreline Sightseeing in Chicago. With a natural aptitude for everything marine-related, he quickly advanced, earning his 100-ton Master's License in 2013. In 2015, Captain Joseph joined Military Sealift Command (MSC), where he worked as an Unlimited Able Body Seaman and rose to 2nd Mate Unlimited Tonnage. Captain Joseph also dabbled in the charter yacht industry when on hiatus from his full-time work.

During his time with MSC, Captain Joseph sailed all seven seas, navigated most major canals, and visited over 55 countries on six continents. In addition to gaining extensive experience in handling and towing large vessels, Captain Joseph's charming personality brought him lifelong friendships in every port.

In 2022, Joseph left MSC to join Boat Safe Chicago as a full-time Charter Captain. He has quickly become a valuable team member, and his clients consistently praise him for his professionalism, expertise, and friendly demeanor.

The Captain's favorite phrase? "Fair winds and following seas to everyone!"

Water covers 3/4 of our blue planet, and Arlo believes Chicago has some of the best water in the world! Captain Arlo K. has lived most of his life near the waters of Lake Michigan. Racing sailboats, kayaking the rivers, and salmon fishing are some of the boating activities he enjoys. Introducing clients to the spectacular Chicago skyline via luxury powerboats is his specialty. Experiencing Chicago by water is truly an experience that creates lasting memories. 

Captain Arlo has traveled the world, including South America, Africa, and Europe. He calls Chicago home because summer in Chicago offers many choices to get outdoors and enjoy life!

 Let’s enjoy the water together soon!