Meet Captain Bayard Huggins

Name:

Bayard Huggins

Hometown:

Bishopville, SC

How long have you been a captain?

3 years.

How long have you been with Outside? 

Two years.

What type of work did you do before becoming a captain at Outside?

I’ve managed different aspects in the Food and Beverage Industries from 5 diamond to dive bars.

What you like best about the job of being an Outside captain? 

Every day I’m on the water it’s like church with Mother Nature. The camaraderie with my colleagues is like no other.

What are some of your go-to area recommendations for guests asking your advice?

The true essence of the Lowcountry is taking a boat ride through a tidal creek. It’s ok to get lost. Make a stop on Daufuskie Island for its character and charm. Try some Devil Crabs and May River Oysters. You must check out Shark Tooth Island to chase the adrenaline high of finding a Megalodon Tooth. The best place to have a picnic is on Page Island.

What are your favorite things about living in the Lowcountry? 

Mother Nature carved out a slice of heaven when she created the Lowcountry. The history and cuisine are amazing. You just cannot beat good olde southern hospitality.

Anything else fun or interesting about you that you’d like to add?

I’m a resident of Daufuskie Island. You’ll most likely catch me on my days off on the water, either I’m heading over to Daufuskie Island or Shark Tooth Island.

Meet Captain Dean Hager

Name: 

Dean Hager

Hometown: 

Haddon Township, NJ

How long have you been a captain? 

Boating since I was 12 years old, now doing it professionally since 2024.

How long have you been with Outside? 

Since 2024

What type of work did you do before becoming a captain at Outside?

I was a Business General Manager working for a large international business.

What you like best about the job of being an Outside captain?   

I love the people.  After retiring early I realized the one thing I really missed about work was the interaction with people and being a captain gives me a chance to meet and entertain new people every day.  It’s also great to work with a close-knit group of like-minded and outdoorsy people!

What are some of your go-to area recommendations for guests asking your advice? 

Mitchelville Freedom Park / Fish Haul Beach is an amazing gem for any history or nature lover.  Birding at the Ibis Pond Rookery (Pinckney Island Wildlife Refuge) in spring is an amazing experience.

What are your favorite things about living in the Lowcountry? 

The Salt Marsh!

Anything else fun or interesting about you that you’d like to add? 

Life is short, find a way to do what you love to do!

Name: 

 Gerard Love

Hometown: 

Lake of the Ozarks, Missouri

How long have you been a captain? 

Since 2024

How long have you been with Outside? 

10 years

What type of work did you do before becoming a captain at Outside?

I have experience in healthcare and higher education, training clinicians for work in the substance use disorder and mental health field

What you like best about the job of being an Outside captain?   

I truly enjoy taking people out on the water (boat or kayak) to get an up close and unique experience on Hilton Head. Seeing oysters “spritz” for the first time or hearing a dolphin breath for the first time create “wow” moments you can see on the customers face. Whether taking out first time visitors to Hilton Head or local residents, the view of the island from the middle of Broad Creek or Calibogue Sound offers a new lens to appreciate the beauty of the Lowcountry.

What are some of your go-to area recommendations for guests asking your advice? 

I always suggest visiting the Shell Ring at Greens Shell Park on Squire Pope or exploring Freedom Park at Mitchelville to learn more about the history of the island and Gullah Culture.  Hilton Head and Daufuskie Islands are  featured in the Netflix series “High on the Hog”, and if customers  have not read Pat Conroy I recommend reading  his novels to continue “being here” when they get home.

What are your favorite things about living in the Lowcountry? 

I love being surrounded by water, walking on the bluff, and Dolphin Head park in my neighborhood, along with taking my dog to the beach to run and swim.

Anything else fun or interesting about you that you’d like to add? 

I grew up on the water, swimming, sailing, and water skiing daily. I got my first boat at age 6, a wooden row boat with a 3 HP Evinrude and my parents upgraded my boat to a Trihull skiff with a 9.5 HP Johnson Seahorse motor at age ten. For a kid, that boat could move and I’ve been in love with boats ever since.

Name: 

JC McCune

Hometown: 

Elizabeth, PA

How long have you been a captain? 

Since 1995

How long have you been with Outside? 

10 years

What type of work did you do before becoming a captain at Outside?

Waterski and Parasail captain – Food and beverage

What you like best about the job of being an Outside captain?   

The variety of trips, every day is a different adventure in lots of different areas.

What are some of your go-to area recommendations for guests asking your advice? 

Take your time and enjoy the adventure, don’t rush things.

What are your favorite things about living in the Lowcountry? 

Changing conditions, water temps vary greatly with the seasons which bring in a variety of migratory wildlife. A lot of our residents enjoy the wildlife, and this appreciation leads to an amazing community lifestyle.

Meet Captain Kathleen McMenamin Vicars

Name:

Kathleen McMenamin Vicars

Hometown:

Hilton Head, SC

How long have you been a captain?

15 Years

How long have you been with Outside?

11 Years

What type of work did you do before becoming a captain at Outside?

I worked for H2O Sports as the Director of Sea Pines Eco Adventures, running a reptile and amphibian based Nature Center, kayak guide, alligator tour boat captain and trail guide.

What do you like best about the job of being an Outside captain?

I love being on the water and sharing the unique beauty and magic of the Lowcountry with others.

What are some of your go-to area recommendations for guests asking your advice?

Enjoy nature! Go for a bike ride, walk through the Sea Pines Forest Preserve or out to Wood Ibis Pond on Pickney.

What are your favorite things about living in the Lowcountry?

I love the diversity of wildlife and pure natural beauty. Every day I wake up grateful to live in such a beautiful place.

Anything else fun or interesting about you that you’d like to add?

I have lived in many different countries and love exploring nature around the world. Although ecosystems and organisms vary widely, I can always find a connection to something in the Lowcountry, which deepens my understanding of the circle of life.

Meet Captain Patrick Vereen

Name:

Patrick Vereen

Hometown:

Camilla, GA

How long have you been a captain?

2 years, I’ve been operating boats since I was 9-years old

How long have you been with Outside?

1 year

What type of work did you do before becoming a captain at Outside?

Dog breeding. Hunting land management. Landscaping. Flooring.

What you like best about the job of being an Outside captain?

The wonderful staff.

What are some of your go-to area recommendations for guests asking your advice?

Lincoln & South Brewery, Tacos las Brisas, River Street in Savannah

What are your favorite things about living in the Lowcountry?

Good neighbors and a great church

Anything else fun or interesting about you that you’d like to add?

My dog “Champ” rides with me on almost all my trips and guests love him. He’s a yellow lab that’s skilled in paddleboarding and retrieving just about anything from the water including people! If your hat blows off, he’ll get it back for you.

Meet Captain Peter Pearson

Name:

Peter Pearson

Hometown:

Columbia, SC

How long have you been a captain?

Since 1973

How long have you been with Outside?

Seven Years

What type of work did you do before becoming a captain at Outside?

CFP, Financial Consultant, Taught High School After I Retired

What you like best about the job of being an Outside captain?

Being outside, showing people our home.

What are your favorite things about living in the Lowcountry?

Mud between my toes, shrimping, fishing, crabbing, and watching the neighborhood children playing in the creek.

Meet Captain Sebastian De Angelis

Name:

Sebastian De Angelis

Hometown:

Rome, Italy (I was an American expat at birth)

How long have you been a captain?

2 years

How long have you been with Outside?

3 years

What type of work did you do before becoming a captain at Outside?

I was a Surface Warfare Officer in the United States Navy from 1983 to 1990, tried my hand at corporate life until 1992 (hating it passionately), then I worked as a freelance translator and interpreter until 2021, when I retired.

What you like best about the job of being an Outside captain?

Being able to help people experience the uniqueness and beauty of the Low Country. Nothing beats hearing seeing and hearing children – of all ages – react to the first sighting of a dolphin.

What are some of your go-to area recommendations for guests asking your advice?

Get on the water.

What are your favorite things about living in the Lowcountry?

Our nature, our lifestyle, and the heat.

Anything else fun or interesting about you that you’d like to add?

My handle is “Sea Bass”. I love it, for two reasons: it is a seagoing creature, like me; and the Japanese work for sea bass is Suzuki (鱸). With the exception of Page 2 and of the pontoons, every one of Outside’s boats has Suzuki outboard motors, so “my name” is on all of them.