From the high seas of Bravo's Below Deck Mediterranean to the heart of the St. Johns River, Captain Sandy Yawn is steering her next venture toward Downtown Jacksonville. The seasoned yacht captain and reality TV star has announced plans for a luxury boat service set to offer upscale experiences—from sunset dinner cruises to weddings and corporate events. It’s a bold vision, one that could position Jacksonville as the next premier yachting destination in the Southeast.

A Captain With Star Power and Real-World Grit

Sandy Yawn isn’t just a familiar face on television; she’s a licensed superyacht captain with decades of global maritime experience. Her rise to fame on Below Deck Med showcased her leadership, passion for mentoring crew, and deep love for the water. But outside the spotlight, Sandy is also a determined entrepreneur who’s faced more than her share of stormy seas.

In Jacksonville, she’s no stranger to investing in the city’s future. Her purchase of the 109-year-old building at 618 W. Adams Street was meant to become Maritime 618—a nautical-themed restaurant designed to anchor Downtown’s revival. Unfortunately, the historic structure was found to be structurally unsalvageable. Despite neighborhood pushback and preservation efforts, Sandy was granted approval to demolish the mold-ridden building and is now exploring plans to rebuild on the same site.

And in nearby Nocatee, where Sandy and her fiancée, gospel singer Leah Shafer, purchased their dream home, the couple became victims of a high-profile construction scandal. The Pineapple Corporation—once a trusted name in luxury builds—allegedly embezzled millions from homeowners, including Sandy, leaving numerous homes unfinished. Yet even amid the financial fallout, Sandy’s optimism hasn’t waned. She’s poured her energy into what she knows best: bringing people together on the water.

The Floating Vision: Jacksonville’s Luxury Boat Experience

Captain Sandy’s latest idea is both elegant and practical: a 47-passenger luxury vessel offering riverfront cruises with fine dining, local flair, and celebrity chef appearances. Collaborating with Captain Rob Adams—a retired Jacksonville Sheriff’s Office sergeant and boat captain—the duo envisions a floating experience unlike anything the city currently offers.

This isn’t just another dinner cruise. It’s a boutique experience tailored to corporate executives, hotel guests, and locals looking for a refined way to enjoy the river. It’s also scalable. While the plan starts small, Sandy sees a future with larger vessels and possibly even superyacht-style charters.

As Sandy notes, “Jacksonville isn’t the South of France, but it’s a cool city. People just need a reason to discover it from the water.”

Why Jacksonville? Why Now?

Jacksonville's development boom makes this the perfect time for a luxury marine operation. The Four Seasons development by Jaguars owner Shad Khan is expected to redefine the riverfront. Meanwhile, downtown marinas and cultural infrastructure are slowly taking shape.

Yet, while cities like Charleston and Savannah have long capitalized on their rivers for tourism, Jacksonville has lagged behind—despite having a deepwater river capable of handling large vessels downtown. “Even in Miami, you can’t pull docks all the way into the city like you can here,” Sandy says.

With the right momentum, Jacksonville could become a destination not only for yachts but for the lifestyle that comes with them—something Sandy knows inside and out.

Turning the Tide: Opportunities for Jacksonville’s Marine Economy

If successful, Captain Sandy’s luxury boat venture could ripple across multiple sectors of Jacksonville’s marine and tourism economies. Here's how:

⚓ Marine & Yachting Industry Opportunities

Yacht & Boat Services:

• Luxury Charters: Open new markets for weddings, retreats, and eco-tours on the St. Johns River.

• Yacht Management Services: Cater to the growing affluent community in Nocatee, Ponte Vedra, and Downtown.

• Marina Growth: Spur investment in full-service marinas with upscale amenities.

Sales & Manufacturing:

• Boutique Boat Brokerage: Attract yacht sales and service businesses as more vessels enter local waters.

• Eco-Marine Products: Develop Jacksonville as a hub for sustainable boating tech and equipment.

Tourism & Experiences:

• Floating Culinary Tours: Collaborate with local restaurants and celebrity chefs to create “cruise-and-dine” nights.

• Marine Wildlife Excursions: Offer dolphin-spotting cruises and river ecology tours.

Tech & Innovation:

• Marine Apps & Platforms: Develop apps for booking, live river tour guides, and smart navigation.

• Boat-Sharing Economy: Launch peer-to-peer boat rental platforms to expand access to locals.

Environmental Focus:

• Green Marina Consulting: Help waterfront properties earn Clean Marina or Blue Flag certifications.

• Underwater Drone Services: Attract high-tech marine surveying for port infrastructure and conservation.

Sandy’s Second Wind: More Than a Celebrity Name

Yes, Captain Sandy brings fame—but she also brings focus, and a willingness to take real financial risks. She's already invested in Downtown Jacksonville, faced major setbacks, and still sees opportunity ahead.

Her ability to connect luxury with authenticity could be what Jacksonville needs to elevate its riverfront from underutilized asset to global attraction.

Whether it’s through an elegant river cruise, a rebuilt Maritime 618, or a superyacht charter base in the making—Captain Sandy Yawn just might be the tide that lifts all boats in Jacksonville.