This past January, I had the incredible opportunity to partner with Skeleton Crew Adventures, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit dedicated to helping veterans and first responders living with Post-Traumatic Stress (PTS) find healing at sea. Their mission is rooted in research-driven adventure therapy, and through sailing, they create transformative experiences that help individuals rebuild trust, resilience, and confidence.
My love of sailing is what led me to Skeleton Crew. I discovered their organization through an epic documentary called Hell or High Seas. It follows Taylor Greiger, a US Navy rescue swimmer and writer Stephen O’Shea as they embark on the adventure of a lifetime, sailing around Cape Horn, through the world’s most treacherous ocean waters, on a mission to raise awareness about the rising veteran suicide rate.
After watching the documentary, I reached out to Skeleton Crew and was invited to join them last October for a daysail on Galveston Bay. I met and sailed with several other veterans, including Skeleton Crew Adventures founder, Taylor Grieger. This wasn’t my first sail though. At this time, I had been sailing for about 4 years and had logged roughly 450 offshore miles.
A few short weeks after the daysail, Taylor reached out to me to ask a favor. Skeleton Crew needed to move Godspeed, their 51-foot Nautor Swan, from Norfolk, Virginia, to her new home in Galveston, Texas. He recalled that I was looking for more offshore experience and asked me to join his crew! As an aspiring offshore sailor, this was an amazing opportunity to grow, but to also contribute!
My role, in addition to serving as a deckhand, would be to document the voyage through photography and video, capturing the raw environment, the teamwork, and the stories of the veterans who made up the crew. The content would be used to support of Skeleton Crew’s brand storytelling, helping fuel their social media outreach, fundraising efforts, and the creation of a multi-part documentary series for their YouTube channel.
Planning the Story at Sea
Before setting sail, I met with Taylor and Samantha Neer, Skeleton Crew’s Executive Director, to discuss goals and make sure our visions aligned. Together, we mapped out the moments and emotions they wanted to share with their community: resilience in the face of nature, camaraderie among veterans, and the unique healing power of being at sea. From there, I designed a plan to capture a mix of action, portraiture, and candid storytelling designed to amplify their mission and connect with supporters through authentic brand storytelling.
Life Aboard Godspeed
This voyage was my longest offshore passage, and it quickly proved to be as challenging as it was unforgettable. Over three weeks at sea, I not only documented the journey but also experienced firsthand what it meant to push through exhaustion, uncertainty, and the relentless force of the ocean.
Some defining moments included:
- Cape Hatteras Storm – On the third day of the first leg, seasickness had reduced our five-man crew down to three: Taylor (Captain), John Rose (First Mate), and myself. Together, we hand-steered Godspeed through 50+ mph winds and 20-foot seas around Cape Hatteras, fighting over the next two days to make port in Beaufort, NC. It was an exhausting but empowering experience that showed me my own resilience.
- Blizzard at Sea – Off the coasts of North and South Carolina, we were caught in a blizzard. Winds gusted over 40 mph as snow and ice coated the deck. The mainsail froze solid, and John and I were called up during our off-shift to drop it. With ice caked on the lines and 15 foot waves throwing the boat around, it took every ounce of focus and strength to get the seal down safely.
- Unexpected Encounters – The third day of our second leg, we were surrounded by a very large pod of dolphins playing in Godspeeds wake. They stayed with us for almost half an hour! It was an amazing site! During our third leg, across the Gulf of Mexico, a sperm whale surfaced near Godspeed and swam alongside us for a brief but unforgettable visit.
- A Close Call – With under a full day left at sea, we discovered the bilge was nearly full and that Godspeed was slowly sinking. Water was pouring in from a failing prop shaft seal with no spare to replace it. Thanks to the quick thinking of crew member James O’Brien, who packed the seal with grease, we stopped the leak and made it safely to Galveston.
Why It Matters
Through my lens, I witnessed more than just the physical challenges of offshore sailing. I saw the power of Skeleton Crew Adventures’ mission in action: veterans supporting one another, rebuilding confidence, and finding calm in the chaos of the sea. The photographs and videos from this voyage became essential tools in their brand storytelling, connecting their mission to the hearts of supporters who believe in healing through sailing.
For me personally, this project was a turning point—combining my passion for photography and storytelling with my love of sailing and my commitment to supporting fellow veterans.
Looking Ahead
The images from this voyage are now part of Skeleton Crew Adventures’ outreach and fundraising campaigns, and I produced a 7-part documentary series that is now live on their YouTube channel. I’m honored to help share their story and bring visibility to the transformative work they’re doing for veterans and first responders.
To learn more about Skeleton Crew Adventures and how you can support their mission, visit skeletoncrewadventures.org.
Partner With Me on Your Brand Storytelling
Every business and organization has a story worth telling—and when it’s told well, it can inspire action, build trust, and strengthen your brand. Just as I worked with Skeleton Crew Adventures to capture the emotion, grit, and resilience of their mission at sea, I can help your business bring its unique story to life through compelling photography and video.
If you’re ready to elevate your brand storytelling and connect with your audience on a deeper level, I’d love to work with you. You can contact me at contact@roamandfocus.com.