Ship Management

Captain Rich Austin
A graduate of the California Maritime Academy, Rich is one of only a handful of captains who can claim navigating Tierra del Fuego in both directions. He has fished the furthest corners of the globe while setting catch records others are still trying to match, and he has navigated “Perfect Storm” caliber seas and lived to tell about them.

As captain for American Seafoods, Rich manned 200+ foot vessels and managed crews of more than 130. Despite these heady experiences, the time came when family obligations called for land based employment. That’s when Rich teamed up with his lifelong friend Tom Ellsworth at Ellsworth Marine. The head of Ellsworth Marine’s service arm, Austin Advanced Maritime Services, Inc.,

Rich brings an abundance of knowledge, from safe and proper boat operations, to all mechanical systems. He’s an outstanding sport fisherman who, like Tom, would choose almost nothing over a good day at sea.

As co-founder of the Eastern Pacific Yacht Club, Rich will provide his vast experience in large vessel operation, crew selection and management, voyage planning and sport fishing to create a previously unimaginable experience for its members.

Drew Deckman - Executive Chef
Chef Drew Deckman hails from Peachtree City, GA, but has been living outside the US since 1995. Completing his degree in Philosophy from Rhodes College in Memphis, TN in 1992, he then embarked on the culinary voyage that would bring him to the Eastern Pacific Yacht Club.

After a year working in a restaurant in Atlanta, Chef Drew had the opportunity to work in Germany, for what he thought was a 6 month tour—he ended up staying in Europe 10 years! Drew worked in France and Switzerland for some of the world's best: In Geneva with Thomas Byrne and Gilles Dupont; In France with the great Paul Bocuse and Jacques Maximin, after which he returned to Germany where in his first year as Executive Chef earned his own Michelin Star near Hamburg.

Drew spent his last 2 and a half years in Europe as Executive Chef at the Four Seasons in Berlin and was awarded "Rising Star Chef, Berlin” in 2003. From Berlin, Chef Drew had the opportunity to work at the Four Seasons Hualalai in Kona, HI; Maroma Resort y Spa in the Riviera Maya in Mexico, as well as the Raffles l'Ermitage in Beverly Hills and a time as Private Chef for an Entertainer in L.A. Also of note in 2000, Drew had the honor of being a scholarship student at the "School for American Chefs" at Beringer Wine Estates with Madeleine Kamman.

From California, Chef Drew moved (with his wife Pamela, who you'll also find onboard the Pacific Provider in charge of member services) to Cabo San Lucas, MX where they currently make their home. He is well-versed in wines. With a wine cellar of over 600 bottles onboard, Chef Drew promises to present a world class selection of classic and modern wines for member's enjoyment. Chef Drew plans to feature fresh seafood on the Pacific Provider, with Latin American highlights. His goal is to cook according to where the Pacific Provider is on station showcasing Mexican, Costa Rican, and Panamanian cuisine.

When asked about his "onboard" kitchen style he replies, "A simple, modern, world approach to the freshest fish, seafood, and meats available to compliment the already incredible experience of being aboard the Pacific Provider is my goal."

In addition to his abilities as a Chef, Drew is an avid offshore fisherman and skilled diver. He is a certified PADI Divemaster and Nitrox Diver with well over 200 logged dives. When he is not fishing or diving, Drew enjoys golf, jazz and motorsports.

“A simple, modern world approach to the freshest fish, seafood and meats available to compliment the already incredible experience of being aboard the Pacific Provider is my goal.”

Chris Thompson - Mate
Chris Thompson is a native from Arizona and graduate of U of A. Chris left the desert heat 10 years ago for the beach climate in San Diego landing a position with Remax Real Estate as a broker. Chris’s spare time was spent fishing the coastal waters off San Diego. His love of boats and all things fishing eventually led him into the Captain’s chair for a local fractional yacht charter fleet.