Captain Don Woods, USCG Master

Capt. Don remains a "die-hard" boating/yachting enthusiast, having received (January 2008) his fifth (five-year) issue renewal U.S. Coast Guard (U.S.C.G.) license for Master Coastal Waters - 100 Gross Tons. Don also holds a Federal Communications Commission (FCC) commercial General Class (formerly First Class) Radiotelephone license with RADAR endorsement. He also currently holds a Transportation Workers Identification Certification (T.W.I.C.); now required by the U.S.C.G. for all active mariners licensees.

Don joined the  Marine Discovery Center of New Smyrna Beach, a nonprofit organization intent on establishing a world class marine education and research facility. Capt. Don previously served as one of the alternate professional captains operating their forty-passenger pontoon boat Discovery; conducting "ecotours" of the Indian River Lagoon Estuary, North America's most diverse estuarine system with more than 4,000 plant and animal species in residence.

Capt. Don purchased Miss Ann, a 24’ modified "V" hull off-shore cutty-cabin I/O in 1972 and subsequently took the US Power Squadron’s Boating Safety course. He joined the Orlando Power Squadron in January 1973 and served as Squadron Commander in 1977-78. He traded to a new Tiara 25’ fly-bridge cruiser, Rumrunner,  in 1978 and to a 42’ Present motoryacht Ya-Hoo!, in 1998. Prior to re-locating to the Sun Coast in 1992, Don was a member of the Seminole Power Squadron Squadron for a short time. He transferred to the St. Petersburg Squadron in January 1993. Don served several years in St. Petersburg as squadron Radio Technical Officer and participated on the district and squadron Computer Services committees. He has taken many of the advance courses offered by the United States Sail and Power Squadrons and has participated as an instructor for some. While in St. Petersburg, Don sold the motoryacht Ya-Hoo! and later purchased a 30’ Searay Weekender twin I/B, Lucky Lady. He is now "boatless in New Smyrna" – wishfully thinking about looking in the future for a vintage ('78 - '85) 34’ Mainship I or III. Don and his wife, Martha, are current active members of the Ponce de Leon Sail and Power Squadron. Don holds the rank of Past (Orlando Squadron) Commander (P/C) and grade of Advance Pilot (AP).