It’s an accidental love story really..

you’ll have to ask us about that part! 😉

 

Mindful Mariners was founded in 2017 with a passion for outdoor therapy and a goal to teach seamanship underway to new boaters. With lack of access to a commercial dock in Cleveland to run a charter, I put my dream on hold, learned WHY I ran into this problem and Operation Experience Erie was born. [Stay tuned for updates on this project as a coalition of activists, charter boat captains, and community partners continue to advocate for commercial docks on our public lands.]

 

In 2019, I partnered with Danny Hearns, one of the most talented young men I’ve met in this industry, to provide a wide range of marine services to the Northeast Ohio boating community. (I’m not just saying that because I think he’s cute, that’s just a bonus!) Together, we learned a unique dance that has kept us busy but flexible, wearing different hats depending on the season. Winters are for travel and boat shows, spring is spent helping prepare boats for splashing (shrink-wrap recycling, detailing, commissioning, & maintenance), summer is for charters, coaching, & transports, and of course fall means shrink-wrapping and winterization. Rinse and repeat. But first, breathe. One wave at a time..

 

When the pandemic created an influx of new boaters in 2020, we created a coaching service designed to build confidence and proficiency in docking and a multitude of skill sets. Through a series of exercises and hands on training opportunities, boaters learn best practices on their own boat.

 

Mindful Mariners has also built a strong relationship with Ohio Clean Marinas to promote proper shrink-wrap recycling initiatives and help create a sustainable LDPE recycling program for boaters and marinas. We proudly accepted the 2022 Partner of the Year Award at the 2023 Ohio Clean Marina Conference and look forward to continuing the momentum on this environmentally critical project.