Captain Jax | Florida Charter Captain
U.S. Coast Guard Veteran • Luxury Cruises • Sightseeing • Fishing • Coastal Adventures • Instuctor/Training

Isaac “Captain Jax” Hughes is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and USCG Licensed 100 Ton Master Captain based in Florida. From the frozen Great Lakes aboard the USCGC Morro Bay to 110° heat in Bahrain aboard the USCGC Baranof and later in Clearwater at Station Sand Key, his experience is built on real seamanship, professionalism, and adventure.

Welcome aboard—whether you’re planning a relaxing cruise, a fishing trip, or a fun day with friends and family, Captain Jax delivers safe, unforgettable time on the water, with the calm judgment and genuine love for the ocean that turns a good outing into a great one.

Qualifications / Credentials

Professional Qualifications

Captain Jax combines U.S. Coast Guard training, licensed captain credentials, and hands-on charter and marine mechanical experience to provide safe and dependable experiences on the water. His work includes luxury yacht operations, yacht management support, maintenance coordination, and vessel oversight across a wide range of systems and propulsion types.

Licenses & Credentials

  • USCG Master 100 Ton License
  • Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC)
  • STCW Basic Safety Training
  • USCG Medical Certificate (Current)
  • DOT Drug-Free Consortium (Enrolled)
  • CPR & First Aid Certified

Experience Highlights

  • Captain of 20+ distinct yachts and power vessels
  • Experience operating vessels up to 140 feet
  • Luxury charter operations and owner-focused vessel management
  • Voyage planning, navigation, docking, anchoring, and maintenance coordination
  • Mechanical oversight and diagnostics (gas/diesel systems)
  • Proven record of incident-free operations and conservative decision-making

Vessel & Systems Experience

  • Luxury yachts, patrol vessels, and rescue vessels
  • Pod drives, twin inboards, outboards and jet drives
  • Garmin, Raymarine, and Furuno systems
  • Starlink installation/configuration
  • Mechanical and electrical systems experience

Current / Recent Roles

For Yacht Owners

Professional Captain Services for Private Yacht Owners

Captain Jax is available to private yacht owners seeking a professional, experienced captain who brings discretion, confidence, and a safety-first approach to every outing.

As a U.S. Coast Guard veteran and USCG Licensed 100 Ton Master Captain, Isaac offers the kind of calm judgment and polished vessel handling that owners value when entrusting their yacht to a captain – whether for a day cruise, guest outing, owner support, or scheduled operation.

With hands-on experience operating luxury yachts and power vessels, Captain Jax understands that exceptional service is about more than getting from point A to point B. It’s about professionalism, preparedness, situational awareness, and creating a smooth, seamless experience for owners and guests alike.

Private Owner Services May Include

  • Owner and guest day cruises
  • Captain services for private outings and entertaining
  • Owner support / relief captain services
  • Yacht handling for planned events or hosted excursions
  • Backup captain coverage
  • Custom scheduling based on owner needs

Owner Inquiries

To help us respond quickly, please include:

  • Vessel make/model and length
  • Home marina / location
  • Type of captain services requested
  • Preferred date(s) or scheduling needs
  • Whether owner and/or guests will be onboard

Contact Captain Jax to discuss your vessel, your expectations, and the level of support you need.

Meet Captain Jax

A Hampton Roads, Virginia native, Isaac grew up spending family vacations in North Carolina’s Outer Banks, where he developed a lifelong love for the ocean, surfing, fishing, and the restorative pull of salty air. Raised on adventure films like Pirates of the Caribbean and Sahara, he still brings that same sense of fun and exploration to life on the water today.

During his Coast Guard service, Isaac served on the frozen waters of the Great Lakes aboard the USCGC Morro Bay, a 140-foot Bay-class icebreaking tug homeported in Cleveland. He later spent a year in Bahrain aboard the USCGC Baranof, a 110-foot Island-class patrol boat of the United States Coast Guard, where he supported missions including counter terrorism, escorting Navy SEALs, drug interdiction operations, and maritime protection in the Persian Gulf. After that deployment, he traded the Persian Gulf for the Gulf of America, serving at Station Sand Key before honorably discharging in early 2025.

Now, through Captain Jax, Isaac shares his love of the water with locals and visitors alike— offering professional, adventurous, and unforgettable experiences with the confidence, skill, and calm judgment that come from real-world maritime service. He is married to his wife, Kate, and together they’re raising their son, Levi, who is already just as excited about the water as his dad.

Isaac “Captain Jax” Hughes is a U.S. Coast Guard veteran, USCG Licensed 100 Ton Master Captain, and a safety-first charter captain based in Florida with hands-on experience operating luxury yachts and power vessels up to 140 feet. His professional background includes charter operations, yacht management, marine mechanical work, and Coast Guard service in both domestic and overseas missions.

Contact

Book a Charter / Get in Touch

Ready to plan your day on the water? Whether you’re looking for sightseeing, fishing, or a fun outing with friends and family, Captain Jax would love to help you plan the right experience.

Contact Captain Jax

Please fill out the following form and Captain Jax will get back to you regarding your charter request.

Send A Tip

Thank You for Supporting Captain Jax

If Captain Jax made your day on the water safe, memorable, and enjoyable, gratuities are customary and always appreciated. In the charter world, tips are an important part of a captain’s income, and a meaningful way to recognize the time, care, and professionalism that goes into every trip.

Support a veteran-owned business by scanning the Venmo QR code below. Thank you for riding with Captain Jax! Hope to see you back on the water soon! ⚓️🛟