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ABOUT US

THE BEST IN THE USVI

Ocean Runner offers the best personalized and luxurious chartered trips in the USVI. We offer day trips, bareboat rentals, guided tours, private charter trips, and captained vessels, as well as scuba diving tours and classes through our sister company Low Key Watersports. We offer a wide range of rental options to accommodate up to 12 guests and make your experience on the water the best day of your vacation. We look forward to helping you realize your dream trip to the Caribbean Virgin Islands. We hope to see you soon!


MEET THE TEAM

Let our amazing team take you out on the water!
From the friendly office staff, to the professional captains and crew,
Ocean Runner’s team will make your trip one you’ll never forget!

Cody Wilkie

Ocean Runner Team Manager | 50 Ton Master Captain | Master Scuba Diver Trainer

Cody Wilkie is the Ocean Runner Team Manager, a 50 Ton Master Captain, and a Master Scuba Diver Trainer with an unwavering passion for the sea. He made St. John his home in 2011 and became an invaluable member of our team in 2017. You can find him driving our two yachts, Aiko and The Grateful Ted!

His favorite beach shifts with the tides, but Sandy Spit always holds a special place in his heart. Cody’s go-to sea critter is the elusive Ornate Ghost Pipefish.

When he’s off the clock, you’ll find him savoring a meal at Pirates Bight, his favorite spot for lunch on the water, while grooving to “One Margarita” by Luke Bryan. Fun fact: Cody is a two-time Collegiate National Water Ski champion!

Sarah Hanson

50-ton Master Captain | Sailing Endorsement | STCW | PADI Divemaster

Sarah’s journey with Low Key began way back in 2013 as a PADI Dive Master. Her passion for working on the water continued during college, where she was a competitive All-American sailor. Despite growing up landlocked in Lexington, Kentucky, her love for the ocean drove her to make St. John, USVI, her permanent home after graduation. She initially worked in the Low Key office before becoming a crew member on our yachts, Aiko and Grateful Ted. A true overachiever, Sarah later earned her 50-ton Master Captain’s license and now captains and crews all of our boats.

On her perfect boat day, you can find Sarah enjoying the tranquility of Sandy Bay in St. Thomas, exploring the shallows for octopus and listening to “May Day” by Tarrus Riley. She loves to take the long journey to Oil Nut for lunch on her BVI trips and enjoys dinners on St. John at 1864 or Terrace.

Chris O'Brien

International Master Captain | Vessel Security Officer | Open-Water Diver

Meet Captain Chris, originally from Cincinnati, Ohio. His love for sailing was ignited in the South Pacific, leading him to earn the title of International Master Captain. After moving to St. Thomas in 2013, he joined the Ocean Runner team in 2020, where you can find him at the helm of all our charter vessels.

Chris finds tranquility at Devil’s Bay in Virgin Gorda, and his favorite fish to spot is the magnificent humphead wrasse. When it comes to dining, Marina Cay is one of his go-to lunch spots while exploring The Baths. No boat trip is complete for him without listening to “Where the Boat Leaves From” by Zac Brown Band!

During hurricane season, Chris, along with his wife and son, embark on thrilling adventures, chartering catamarans to explore new destinations around the globe!

Alyssa Toms

100 Ton Master Captain | Master Scuba Diver

Alyssa Reise is a certified 100 Ton Master Captain and Dive Master from Raleigh, North Carolina. She joined the Ocean Runner family in 2020, after making St. Thomas her home in 2016.

An avid ocean enthusiast, Alyssa loves spending time at her favorite beach, Santa Maria, and is particularly fascinated by leatherback sea turtles. When she’s not exploring the depths or navigating the waters, you can find her enjoying a meal at her favorite restaurant, Nova, or on the boat grooving to “September” by Earth, Wind & Fire.

A fun fact about Alyssa: she was bitten by an alligator on her very first day interning at the North Carolina Aquarium!

 

Brad Jordan

100 Ton Master Captain | Open Water Diver

Brad Jordan is a seasoned 100 Ton Master Captain and Open Water Diver from El Paso Texas with an enduring passion for the ocean. After moving to the Islands in 2015, he brought his cheerful spirit to Ocean Runner in 2021. You can find Brad as a captain on all of our boats!

His favorite marine creature is the graceful Eagle Ray, and he loves to recharge at Saba Rock, his go-to lunch spot. When he’s out on the water, you can bet he’s jamming to “Splinters” by Shal Marshall. 

Before making St. Thomas his home, he owned two restaurants and worked as a ski instructor, showcasing his diverse talents and love for adventure.

Adam Wilson

100 Ton Master Captain | II-3 International Endorsement | PADI Open Water SCUBA Instructor
Adam Wilson is a 100 Ton Master Captain and a PADI Open Water SCUBA Instructor from Los Altos, California and graduated from Chico State with a degree in Recreation & Parks Management.

His adventures have taken him from guiding dives and boat trips to working on luxury charter catamarans and cruise ships. He’s navigated the high seas on multiple boat deliveries and has a background as a Kids Camp Counselor and Senior Entertainment Host for Carnival Cruise Lines. His tattoos of sharks and octopuses, along with his favorite beaches like Sapphire and Cinnamon, reflect his dedication to the marine world and our local oceans.

When he’s not on the water, Adam enjoys dining at local favorites such as Pirates Bight and Lime Out, and listening to a playlist that includes “Paradise” by Stick Figure and “Purple Hat” by Sofi Tukker. Fun facts about Adam include that he has driven cross-country four times, climbed the Sydney Harbor Bridge, and spent 23 days at sea without touching land.

Benjamin Knoeck

100 Ton Masters | Open Water Diver

A skilled 100 Ton Master and Open Water Diver, Captain Ben hails from Neenah, WI, and has called St. Thomas, USVI home since 2015. 

Ben has a deep admiration for octopuses, captivated by their intelligence and mesmerizing agility. His favorite boat song is “Woke Up in Bangkok,” the perfect soundtrack for his adventures on the water.

With a lifelong passion for boats, Benjamin transitioned from teaching high school history—focusing on Caribbean, U.S., and World history—to fully embracing island life on the water. His favorite beach is Scott Beach on St. John, and he can often be found savoring a meal at Pirates Bight.

Taylor Enright

STCW | Crowd and Crisis Management | Advanced Open Water Diver

Taylor Enright is a dedicated and adventurous crew member with a passion for showcasing the stunning beauty of the Virgin Islands. Holding STCW and Advanced Open Water Dive certifications.

Her favorite sea creatures to spot on a dive are the stunning spotted Eagle Rays. When not on the water, you can find Taylor enjoying the local flavors at La Tapa or listening to the upbeat vibes of “Vacation” by Dirty Heads. 

She is a seasoned traveler who has visited 25 countries and speaks fluent Spanish, Taylor’s love for adventure shines through in personal milestones, including her engagement while diving with Low Key!

Coulter Conley

25-ton Master Captain | STCW

Coulter was raised on St. John until the age of 12. Her journey in the maritime world began as part of the crew on a parasailing boat, and she now crews on our two yachts; Aiko and The Grateful Ted. Coulter is also certified as a 25-ton Master Captain.

Before joining us at Ocean Runner in 2023, Coulter pursued higher education in Georgia, earning a BA in Criminal Justice.  Fun fact, she was the inaugural Grand Marshal in St. John’s first-ever St. Patrick’s Day Parade,

On days off, you can catch her at her favorite beach, Cinnamon Bay on St. John, enjoying some beach volleyball. Next time she’s on your boat, ask her to turn on “Saturday Sun” by Vance Joy!

Bryan Barnes

Maintenance Manager | 100 Gross Ton Master Captain | Master Scuba Diving Trainer

Captain Bryan Barnes is a seasoned 100 Gross Ton Master Captain with sail and tow certifications and also holds the title of Master Scuba Diving Trainer. While you can sometimes find him driving our boat charters and scuba diving trips, Captain Bryan is usually busy making sure our fleet is in top condition as our Maintenance Manager.

Inspired by his grandfather, an avid lifelong sailor, Bryan’s passion for the sea runs deep. He even lives on a sailboat with his family! While others seek sandy shores, Bryan prefers spending his time in the depths of the ocean, where he encounters fascinating sea critters like his favorite, the elusive frogfish.

When he’s not navigating the waters or exploring underwater worlds, you can find Bryan enjoying a meal at his favorite restaurant, Skinny Legs in Coral Bay. And here’s a fun fact: before his maritime adventures, Bryan spent eight years driving Zambonis, experience that is sure to help in St. John!

Jeremy Prudhomme

General Manager | 50 Ton Master Captain | Advanced Open Water Diver

Our General Manager Jeremy started at Ocean Runner as a charter boat captain way back in 2014. While you can still sometimes catch him driving a boat, he’s usually making sure our company runs smoothly, all of our customers and staff are well taken care of, and finding ways that we can protect our local reef! 

Jeremy sits on the board of C.O.R.E. a local non-profit that’s committed to stopping Stony Coral Tissue Loss Disease, a condition that kills the reefs. The C.O.R.E. team works tirelessly to treat diseased corals and to plant new disease resistant corals! 

While he’s originally from Roche Noire, Mauritius, he has lived all over the world before settling in St. John. 

 

Sydney Himelein

Operations Manager | Open Water Diver

Originally from Pennsylvania, Sydney joined Low Key & Ocean Runner in 2018, where she now serves as the Operations Manager. While on a boat trip, her favorite spot to dine is Lime Out, and when it comes to beaches, Lameshur can’t be beat! 

In 2019, Sydney earned her PADI Open Water dive certification with Low Key. Though she was nervous to try diving, the incredible instructors at Low Key eased her worries and guided her through her first dive with care.

A twist in her journey: after four years in St. John, Sydney moved back to Pennsylvania. These days, she works remotely from home, and yes she does miss the sun!