Sailing to Adventure Aboard the Heron

Captain Cameron McLellan has never had a job on land. Not many of us can say the same, no matter how long we’ve lived on the East End, but for Cameron, a sixth-generation fisherman and captain, it comes naturally. McLellen has navigated some of the most extreme circumstances and is one of the few captains to have safely led his crew through the Perfect Storm (while fishing off George’s Bank in Newfoundland in 1991), and his lifelong watery journey has now put him aboard Heron Yacht Charters.

But he’s not alone. Heron, an elegant 63-foot custom catamaran run by Captain McLellan and his wife, Captain Shannon McLellan, navigates guests for a few hours, a day or a weekend through waters of the East End, Navy Beach and Montauk Yacht Club Parties and Long Island and Block Island voyages (during the summer), Fall Sailing (now sailing out of NYC), Caribbean Adventures (during the winter), Surfing and Diving Adventures, Spear Fishing and Snorkeling Adventures. The McLellan’s fervor for sailing is eminent, their skills exceptional, and they share their passion for sailing and enthusiasm for adventure with all their guests.

Born and raised in Maine, Cameron has journeyed the Behring Sea, the waters off Maine, Iceland and Chile, since childhood. After retiring 10 years ago from the fishing business, captaining his 72-foot stern trawler (that also served as a study-aboard program for students tracking the science of fishing, management and fish species, as well as other important data used for college marine study programs), Cameron was ready for the next chapter in his life. It wasn’t long before he found the perfect vessel and new direction with Heron. This grand catamaran built in 1998 by designer Chris White was in need of refurbishment and a lot of love, but once it was returned to its original, pristine condition, it was ready to carry Cameron to further adventures.

It was during a sail from Maine to the British Virgin Islands when he met Shannon. “And a week later, we were engaged,” he tells. The pair definitely complements one another. Shannon has more than ten years experience sailing passages between New England and the Caribbean and a degree in Environmental Science. Additionally, she extensively studied coastal ecology as well as participated in bio-survey and coral reef studies around the world. Her expertise, personality and attention to fine detail are inspiring.

After another summer on the East End, the couple recently set sail for New York City for the first time, docking at North Cove Marina, located on the Hudson River in Battery Park City (aka Monaco on the Hudson). They will be offering private charters for corporate outings, rehearsal dinners, parties, special occasions, afternoon and sunset sails. With accommodations up to 6 people for overnight and weeklong excursions, the spacious vessel includes stylish décor, elegant staterooms, teak decking and lounging space indoors and out. (There are even gourmet meals available based on the type of charter booked.) Then it’s down to the Caribbean for another tropical winter on the water. Where else?

For more information and charter bookings, contact Shannon or Cameron at heronyachtcharters@yahoo.com, 207-838-4041, 631-875-3611 or visit www.heronyachtcharters.com. Heron is a US Coast Guard Certified Sailing Vessel.