EQUINOX X CY

Captain Danilo Gardi
Master of Equinox X, Engineer and Chef

Originally from Italy, but now a United States citizen, Danilo always had a passion for the sea as he spent much time cruising around the Mediterranean with his father in his youth before enrolling in the Italian Naval Academy where he earned first in his class.

In the Italian Navy, Danilo played piano in the orchestra, was trained for special operations, was a combat helicopter pilot and in 1978 volunteered for extraction missions rescuing 126 American POW’s from Vietnam.

After his service in the Italian Navy, Danilo followed in his father’s footsteps and became a professional race car driver, engine developer, and designer of LeMans style prototype cars. He is a certified engine rebuilder for Ferrari and Lamborghini and enjoys developing some of the most winning race cars.

Advancements in technology, specifically electronics, led Danilo into developing alternative fuel systems for combustion engines. These systems have been used by government and private industry where alternative fuels such as Methane, Propane, Ethane, Hydrogen, and Dimethyl Ether are used.

Danilo especially enjoys being a Captain; working with his wife – Simona and business partner Captain Joe, while sharing his cuisine and piano music with charter guests.

Captain Shawn Archer
2nd Captain
Truly worth his weight in gold on motor yacht Equinox, a cross between Tom Sawyer and Peter Pan, Captain Shawn Archer is one of the most pure hearted and enthusiastic captains on the seas.
Captain Shawn has crewed on Equinox for many years and provided "hand-over" training when sold in 2022; and due to his experience on the yacht and charming personality was asked to stay as part of the new Equinox team.
He is a highly experienced mariner with over 20 years in diverse fields: commercial fishing (like those crazy fisherman on Deadliest Catch), sailing, private yachts, cargo vessels, and maritime construction.
Canadian born and from a family of captains, Shawn has spent his life on the water; primarily the Eastern sea border and Bahamas. He is an expert sailor, has formally taught many to sail, at only 22 years of age led convoys of sailboats from Canada to the Bahamas, and with his old guitar on a 47-foot sailboat crossed the Atlantic Ocean from the Exumas to the Canary Islands.
As well as being the stand-in captain, he helps out with all facets of the Equinox operation including engineering and marketing. He enjoys planning adventures, story-telling and mixing drinks for charter guests (His stories are always better with drinks!).



Captain Joe Marcellino
1st Officer-Logistics and Deck

Joe has been business partners with Captain Danilo Gardi since 2012; building engines and promoting alternative fuel systems for fleet vehicles while also chartering their personal boats. Joe was previously president of a large logistics company and has a background in finance.

Originally from Massachusetts, Joe grew up around boats and worked in marinas during his youth. He currently owns 2 boats; a 30-foot Mainship Pilot for 21 years – used for saltwater fishing and scuba diving, and a custom built 24-foot Pro-Drive used in the Everglades for fishing and hunting.

Joe is responsible for budgeting and marketing Equinox while also assisting with maintenance. Although of Italian decent, he is not allowed in the galley but is used for taste testing and washing dishes when needed. During the charter he can be found at the helm where he welcomes guests to join him to experience the piloting of Equinox.



Chief Stew Simona Gardi

On Equinox, it is said, “Behind every great Captain, is an even Greater Woman”. And since Chief Stew Simona Gardi works with 2 great Captains, you can only imagine how great of a woman she is.

Simona, in charge of “quality control” and wife of Captain Dany is responsible for ensuring all guests are treated like family and feel at home throughout the charter.

Not only is she the Chief Stew, but she prepares home-made pastas and the best Tiramusa on the seas.

In her spare time she enjoys growing orchids and making art pieces from drift-wood.