Meet Our Awesome Crew!
Our crew members are experienced, mostly local mariners who have lived in the Newburyport area for many years. Most of them return year after year to share their knowledge with our patrons and enjoy a relaxing life on the beautiful Merrimack River and its coastal waters. They will make your trip with us an experience to remember!
Captain Jim Hughes
Retiring after over 35 years as a firefighter, I wanted to put my boating experience towards becoming a boat captain. Now I am able to share my love of history and boating on the Merrimack River with everyone!
Lynn Hughes
After retiring from the New England Aquarium I decided that a fun way to spend my time would be working as a mate on the Yankee Clipper! What better way to meet people from all over and enjoy being on the Merrimack!
Launch Captain Lisa Christie
I have been a First Mate on the Yankee Clipper since 2017. I love being out on the Merrimack & seeing the beauty and power of the river. It is so fun to meet people from all over who come out with us and to share information with them about the environment & local maritime history. We see eagles, herons, double crested cormorants, seals, sunfish, Atlantic sturgeon & so much more. Trips into the Parker River Wildlife Refuge are a highlight for me. No two trips are the same and each captain has their own focus for their narration. Hope to see you come out with us this summer!
Captain Fred Latta
Fred has been a licensed 100 ton Masters captain since 1986 and has worked aboard commercial fishing boats, offshore tug boats and various tour boats in Florida, Alaska and New England. Fred lives in Southern Maine and joined our crew in 2021.
“Johnny Pleasant”
John McLaughlin
John has been on our crew for roughly 92 years. He is a retired firefighter and fire inspector, and he teaches aspiring firefighters at the Fire Academy in central Massachusetts. John lives at Salisbury Beach, fishes as often as possible, and enjoys bird watching. We promise he will leave you laughing!
Jim “Lou” Lucci
Lou has been a part of the Yankee Clipper crew since 2020, serving as a First Mate. He is a long-time Newburyport resident, a UNH grad, and has spent most of his career as an environmental consultant. Being on the water and educating the passengers with his local knowledge are the highlights of his day.
Melaina “Laney” Lucci
Laney joined our crew as a First Mate in 2021. Growing up near the ocean, she is a boating and outdoor enthusiast. Laney is currently studying Advertisement/Public Relations at the Unv. of Tampa. Laney brings a youthful energy to the cruises!
Mike Moscuzza
Mike has been a First Mate at our Haverhill location since 2022. A Haverhill native and retired software engineer, Mike is an avid golfer who also enjoys skiing, the outdoors, travel, and woodworking.
Captain Paul Aziz, M.S., M.Ed.
Paul has been a commercial mariner since 1994 when he began working in the marine salvage and towing industry with TowBoat U.S. In 2001, Paul was part of a group that built and launched the 48’ commercial sailing catamaran “Ninth Wave” in Newburyport. He spent five years aboard Ninth Wave, then acquired “Yankee Clipper” in 2006. In 2022, he added the company’s second vessel, “Rachel Carson” to service the Haverhill section of the Merrimack. Paul’s tours are a balance of maritime history, marine science, and environmental education for all ages. He teaches high school Biology and Environmental Science at Topsfield Vocational Academy.
Captain Steve Whitmore
Steve has been on our crew since 2016. He’s a Newburyport local, an independent computer systems consultant, and a closet disco fan. Steve has been known to get his passengers dancing in the aisle!
Captain Dan Cody, M.Ed., C.A.G.S.
Dan is a middle school science teacher when he’s not on the water. He’s a lifelong boater who enjoys sharing his extensive knowledge of the Merrimack River and the science behind what makes it such an important waterway. In addition to Yankee Clipper Tours, Dan has skippered for Ninth Wave Sailing Charters and Newburyport Whale Watch.