Meet The Team
Atlantic Wind Transfers offers the most experienced professional commercial marine team for Offshore Wind Support Services in the U.S. We built the 1st U.S. Coast Guard Certified Jones Act-Compliant crew transfer vessel for the Block Island Wind Farm and our experienced Captains and Crew have performed thousands of safe transfers in all weather/sea conditions. We have also formed a working relationship with UK based Seacat Services to work with our company in helping to advance the CTV market based on their experience in operating one of the most successful crew transfer companies in Europe.
Charles A. Donadio, Jr.
President / CEO
Founder
Charles is President and Founder of Atlantic Wind Transfers, the 1st Offshore Wind Farm Support Vessel Company in the United States. Charles has over 27 years' experience in marine transportation and 23-years specializing in high-speed aluminum catamarans operating in the offshore waters of Block Island and Martha's Vineyard. He founded the 1st fast ferry to Block Island in 1998, the 1st fast ferry to Martha's Vineyard in 2003 and built the 1st offshore Crew Transfer Vessel the "Atlantic Pioneer" for the 1st Offshore Wind Farm in the U.S. the Block Island Wind Farm. He has also operated fast ferries in Massachusetts, New York, New Jersey, Florida and in Bermuda. Charles entrepreneurial drive is proven by his successful track record, in 1998 he was awarded both the “Rhode Island Young Entrepreneur of the Year” and “New England Region Entrepreneur of the Year” Awards for Business and awarded the "Excellence Award" for Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Charles lives in Narragansett, Rhode Island with his wife and two daughters.
Ben Miller
Operations Manager
HSE Manager
Company Security Officer
Ben has been employed with Rhode Island Fast Ferry since its inception and worked with Charlie since 1999. He has over 20 years’ experience working on boats and managing day-to-day operations in the maritime industry. Ben holds a BS in Civil Engineering from the University of Connecticut, CSO certification from Rutgers University, and has completed advanced coursework in project management. He provides high-level technical expertise, project management, and systems integration direction to our operation. As our HSE Manager and CSO, he interfaces with the USCG and ensures regulatory compliance across our fleet. Ben lives in Rhode Island with his wife and two daughters.
Ian Baylis
Seacat Services,UK
Consultant / Adviser
Ian Baylis is Managing Director of Seacat Services, a company that owns and operates a fleet of 14 class leading crew transfer vessels throughout Northern Europe. Since founding the firm, Ian has spearheaded the rapid expansion of the UK-based offshore energy support firm, he has played a huge part in supporting the growth of the industry both at his home on the Isle of Wight and throughout Europe. With a fleet of 14 DNV-GL class-certified catamarans, all built at the South Boats yard, Ian’s tight-knit team have turned Seacat Services into one of the foremost crew transfer operators in Europe, servicing wind farms in UK, Danish and German waters over the past few years. Ian has a commitment to the highest possible levels of service and reliability and a drive to constantly improve future standards and best practice. Ian is also a frequent commentator on the European offshore wind industry.
Peter N. Staples
Port Captain
Peter has been employed with Rhode Island Fast Ferry since 2004 and has worked on-board the Atlantic Pioneer since it was put into service. He holds a 100-Ton USCG Master's License [14-years] with a Commercial Towing Endorsement, STCW-95 Certification, Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Card. Before joining Rhode Island Fast Ferry Peter spent 33-years fishing in the offshore waters of the Atlantic Ocean operating large offshore scallopers, draggers and freezer trawlers from the Hague line (Canadian border) to the Gulf of Mexico out of the Ports of Galilee (Point Judith), New Bedford, New York, New Jersey as well as other Ports along the East Coast of the United States. Peter has a combined 47-years of offshore experience operating commercial fishing vessels, fast ferries and offshore wind farm support vessels. He resides in Narragansett with his family.
Chris Anderson
Captain
Chris has been employed with Rhode Island Fast Ferry since 2004, he was Project Manager during the construction of the Atlantic Pioneer and handled the delivery and USCG approvals for the safety requirements of the Vessel. He holds a 100-Ton USCG Master's License [23-years], Radar Observer Unlimited, Electronic Chart Display and information System (ECDIS), STCW-95 Certification, Commercial Towing Endorsement, Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Card, NFPA Fire Instructor, Licensed EMT, Certified PADI Diver, a Certified U.S. Powerboating Instructor and served in the USCG as a qualified Small Boat Coxswain for 6 yrs. Chris has operated both traditional car, freight ferries and high-speed catamarans in New England waters and has over 30-years’ experience in the marine transportation industry, towing and salvage from Cape Cod to the Gulf of Mexico.
Jordan Ryan
Captain
Jordan has been employed with Rhode Island Fast Ferry since 2013 and has worked on-board the Atlantic Pioneer since it was put into service. He holds a 100-Ton USCG Master's License [22-years], Radar Observer Unlimited, Automatic Radar Plotting AIDS (ARPA), Able Bodied Seaman (AB) Ticket, STCW-95 Certification and a Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Card. Jordan spent most of his career (24 years) working for the Block Island Ferry operating pass/car ferries 210 feet in length that carried 1,000+ passengers. He operated these ferries specifically in the offshore waters of Block Island the very same Ocean area that all the Offshore Wind Farms will be developed between Block Island and Martha’s Vineyard. Jordan lives on Block Island year-round with his wife and two daughters.
Tony Bessinger
Captain
Tony has been employed with Rhode Island Fast Ferry since 2012 and has worked on-board the Atlantic Pioneer since it was put into service. He holds a 100-Ton USCG Master's License [6-years], Radar Observer Unlimited, Auxiliary Sail Endorsement, Commercial Towing Endorsement, Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Card. He has taught professional and amateur skippers 100-Ton,OUPV, AB Seaman and STCW courses for 6 years. Tony has been working and racing on boats for 38 years; he participated in 10 Newport to Bermuda Races as well as 1 Transatlantic Race. He has also raced in regattas in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bermuda, England and up/down the East Coast and West Coast of the United States. He has participated in boat deliveries throughout the North Atlantic and the Caribbean. Tony resides in Jamestown.
Mark Chute
Captain
Mark has began his employment with Rhode Island Fast Ferry in 2017 operating our 400-passenger high-speed catamaran Millennium in Bermuda under a Charter Contract with the Government of Bermuda as well as operating the offshore crew transfer vessel Atlantic Pioneer. He holds a 100-Ton USCG Master's License [8-years], Radar Observer Unlimited, Automatic Radar Plotting AIDS (ARPA), Transportation Worker Identification Credential (TWIC) Card, Emergency Medical Technician (Basic), Crowd Control and Management Certification, FEMA Certification ICS – 100, 200, 700, 775, 800. He has served professionally in the maritime industry for the past 11 years specifically on-board high-speed passenger vessels through Narragansett Bay, Block Island Sound, Buzzards Bay, Martha’s Vineyard, Florida and Bermuda. Mark lives in Rhode Island with his family.