Captain: Frank Ficken

Your Crew on board S/Y MARAE

Offering a service that goes above and beyond the level of quality typical of a luxury superyacht charter, Marae’s crew are what make a special charter something extraordinary. Whether it’s waiting with cool towels after a warm walk or anticipating your cocktail almost before you’d thought of it, the crew of Marae pay attention to the very smallest details – so you don’t have to.

Frank Ficken CAPTAIN
Captain: Frank Ficken

Frank grew up in Vermont, boating on Lake Champlain most weekends with his family (when the ice was out!). He began sailing out of Newport, RI in the 1980s and began his professional yachting career decades ago. Frank brings many years of experience running large sailing yachts, including SY GEORGIA and the classic schooner TREE OF LIFE. He is also a former skipper of MARAE.

Frank is very easy going and loves teaching guests about sailing MARAE. If you feel like dragging yourself away from comfort of the cockpit settees, you might get a chance to help sail her! Frank has both MCA and USCG Master’s licenses with commercial sailing endorsements. A passionate maritime history buff, one of his favorite sailing accomplishments was racing a wooden gaff-rigged schooner from Newport, RI to Bermuda using only a sextant and chronometer for navigation.
He is a certified Rescue Diver, a certified Ship’s Medical Officer and also serves as the Race Committee for any guests who feel like racing the twin Laser sailboats that Marae carries. When he’s not sailing, he enjoys water sports, reading and photography.

Frank has a great team working with him to ensure that guests always receive unparalleled service, whether you are relaxing in an anchorage or playing with MARAE’s armada of water toys.


Steven Strenkert CHEF

Steven is a trained chef from the prestigious Culinary Institute of America. He has 10 years of experience in 5-star restaurants in New York, California and 15 years as a personal/private chef on estates, motor and sailing yachts on charter and passage in the Caribbean, Mediterranean and the Panama Canal. His approach and love of serving people delicious food is demonstrated through his philosophy of servant leadership.

Brianna Alongi STEWARDESS

Bri comes from Abita Springs, Louisiana. She picked up a love of fine dining and mixing cocktails from growing up near the city of New Orleans. Bri has been in the yachting industry for two years, cruising areas from the Bahamas to New England before joining the crew of S/Y Marae. For fun she enjoys cooking, exploring new cocktail combinations and snorkeling. Bri's attention to detail and passion for her job will ensure your every need is met and your trip is one to remember.

Susie Weaver FIRST MATE/ENGINEER

Susie grew up in Santa Barbara, CA, with a father who was a yacht captain/engineer for 40 years and a mother who was a yacht chef. She spent the majority of her childhood holidays sailing aboard her father’s ketch, stopping in the Caribbean and South Pacific, where they visited French Polynesia, The Cook Islands, Tonga, Fiji, Vanuatu, and the Solomon Islands. At a young age, she experienced what the world has to offer.

After spending over a year in the yachting industry as a mate/engineer, she enrolled at the International Yacht Restoration School in Newport, RI studying marine systems. She also holds a USCG 100GT masters license and is a PADI open water certified scuba diver.

Susie is onboard to keep Marae in ship shape and ensure smooth sailing. Susie is also the person in charge of Marae’s many toys. Whether you wish to race around in the Lasers, kayak, paddleboard, or use one of the towable tubes, wakeboards, or water skis, she will make sure everything is prepared for a fun, safe time.