During passage there are typically two professional crew that will be your guides aboard Kailani. The safety of the entire crew is of course their highest priority, but a close second is making sure that you get as much out of your open ocean passage experience as possible.
Harley Earl Program Director Captain
Harley first learned to sail in 1965 on the Detroit River dodging lake freighters in that very narrow channel. He has sailed over 50,000 ocean miles in the past ten years half of which was logged in 2004 to 2006 on a double handed circumnavigation with his wife, Jennifer, who provides shore support to Kailani while on passage. Harley joined OCSC Sailing as an instructor in 2000 where he continues to be on the part time faculty. In addition to a 100T USCG Master’s Certificate he is a US Sailing Cruising and CONAV instructor, a certified open water diver and is current in both CPR and First Aid. He is an active delivery skipper in power and sail up to 90 feet. Aboard Kailani Harley's role is to insure that everybody stays safe, has fun and learns as much as they want.
Tom Prior Relief Captain
Tom grew up in the U.K. and has been sailing for the
past twenty five years accumulating over 20,000 sea miles. He is a
commercially endorsed RYA Yachtmaster Offshore, a RYA Cruising Instructor,
RYA dinghy Instructor and is also a certified open water diver. He is
current in First Aid and CPR, STCW95 (including First Aid, Fire Prevention and
Firefighting) and RYA and YA Sea Survival trained. Prior to helping to sail Kailani from Turkey
to San Francisco with Harley, much of his ocean experience was through ocean
racing. Recent major races include the San Francisco to Panama leg of the
2009/10 Clipper round the world race, the 2008 Sydney to Hobart race and the
2007 Fastnet race. Tom has taught sailing in Europe, the USA and Australia, and
currently teaches sailing at OCSC Sailing. He is a Naval architect and
practicing marine surveyor and also undertakes delivery work on sail boats. In
addition to sharing his passion for sailing and strong sailing skills, aboard Kailani
Tom has primary responsibility for teaching the nuances of navigation
with participants.
Aside from their shared passion for sailing, Tom and Harley both teach at OCSC Sailing on San Francisco Bay. Throughout the world there are a lot of good sailing schools and a handful of great sailing schools. In addition to being one of the great ones, OCSC has an enviable location directly in the path of the westerlies that race through the Golden Gate at 15 to 25 knots almost every afternoon from early spring to late fall. These sailing conditions make teaching at OCSC a joy and learning there a rewarding challenge.
Harley Earl 
Tom Prior