Sailing Yacht Viva ~ Crew

Your crew, all residents of Belfast, includes: Captain Don DePoy who has been sailing since the early 1970’s. Don has demonstrated skills as an entrepreneur and businessman, holds a Ph.D. in American Culture, has worked as college faculty for almost 20 years and holds a Master 100-Ton United States Coast Guard license with sail endorsement. He teaches captains licensing courses for the American BoatSchool.

PaddyWesters
When Don and Richard Burbank come together to make music they are known as the Paddy Wester's, graduates of the infamous sailing school that rooked clod-busters into believing they were real sailors. Their musical career began right here in Belfast playing regularly at the Co-op during their lunch breaks. Now they have been performing sea music and chanteys for more than three years. Their first CD, Cape Horn Gale, has been well received and supported by those who love sea music. They are featured performers locally and nationally, having appeared most recently at the 2002 Mystic Sea Port Sea Music Festival, 2002 Portsmouth’s Sea Festival and the 2003 Wooden Boat Show. When their schedule permits, they perform locally at various venues and on special occassions you are treated to their sea music concert aboard the Viva. Singing and playing in the unabashed style associated with folk music, their approach brings a rousing refreshing style to a music too long associated with pretty harmonies and subdued voices. Our sing along songs encourage the audience to participate and experience the exitement of the shanty worksong.

Joining Gafia Sailing Charters in 2000, Martha Hills loves customer service and helping guests find their perfect adventure. From bookings to setting up day trips you may find her on the dock greeting family and friends or giving historical and educational tours of the area. Aboard Viva she may be teaching the interns how to handle the ropes or pointing out a seal or bald eagle overhead.

As a Maine native Martha remembers when Belfast Bay could not be used for recreational purposes because of pollution. “I never take for granted the wildlife in Penobscot Bay and never forget how important it is to share yet preserve our pristine haven for future generations. I love introducing first time sailors to new adventures as they fall in love with sailing for a lifetime!” Ask her about the out of the way places that tourists never see when visiting Maine . During the winter months you will find her managing SailViVA and playing music with Don or skiing.

Since the tender age of 8, Don has been performing the music of his Virginia Appalachian roots and is a 5th generation mountain music maker. He is an accomplished singer, Bluegrass banjo and guitar player and has many recording and performance credits. Recently he has teamed up with Martha on bass fiddle to play and entertain dock walkers and guests aboard ViVA. Performing as Me & Martha, they have released their first CD On the Road Home and in the fall of 2005 Me & Martha was inducted into the Old-Time Country Music Hall of Fame. Currently, t hey perform throughout the Eastern United States and are beginning to work on their second recording project. You can often find them aboard ViVA unwinding after a day of sailing at the Belfast City Dock. Come on down and join them. Sit and listen or bring your voice or instrument and join in as they sing and play. Visit www.meandmartha.com