The Crew

Flame Yacht Charters 1956 Feadship

A unique romantic Caribbean vacation on a one of a kind yacht

Sue and Dave are true Islanders and have been living in and visiting the Caribbean for more than 25 years. Dave sailed ships for the U.S. Coast Guard and with Sue and their two children, they first experienced Island life in Jamaica and later followed their son to a true Caribbean Paradise, where they started their new adventure as owners of the Belgian Chocolate Factory. Captain Dave and the FLAME are delighted to share the wonderful fresh made Belgian chocolate and the beauty of the Virgin Islands with you!

Captain Dave and Susan Loerzel

Dave Loerzel graduated from the U.S. Coast Guard Academy and served on ships and shore stations across the country and overseas. With Sue and two children they discovered the Caribbean and island life while on duty in Jamaica. Dave cruised the Islands from Aruba to Bermuda and the entire family grew to love the climate, the dynamic cultures and the low stress environment of Caribbean living. Dave is an experienced Coast Guard Officer and licensed Captain , having Commanded and served on a variety of vessels across the Atlantic, Great Lakes, Gulf of Mexico and Caribbean. He operated vessels from 35 to 378 feet and sailed from Lake Superior to Aruba, New York to Europe and Connecticut to New Orleans. Dave and Sue adopted the Virgin Islands as home where they love to show visitors the natural beauty of their Virgin Island Paradise !

Flame at Peter Island

Sue Loerzel is an accomplished Chocolatier and Chocolate lover. She and her daughter-in-law manage the Belgian Chocolate Factory in St Thomas and love to share their culinary delights with visitors to their shop in Charlotte Amalie. Sue loves the people and the beauty of the Virgin Islands and has visited the best places throughout the Islands to relax, swim, snorkel or just to enjoy beaches and the natural that surrounds us in Paradise. She first traveled to the Caribbean to visit Dave’s ship in the late ‘70s and has been returning ever since. Sue grew up with classic Italian cuisine and has a flare for preparing incredible dishes and wonderful desserts .

Peace, Love, Chocolate Dave and Sue have developed a true love of Flame and are honored to carry on with the proud traditions established by Captain Wayne and Barbara Ellsworth, who lovingly restored Flame to the boating world. We thank them for allowing us to share in the adventure of a wonderful Feadship Classic! The true owners of Flame are the people who will visit and experience her charm!

When they are not chartering, Sue and Dave enjoy their children and grandchildren and manage the Belgian Chocolate Factory. When they joined Flame, the1956 Feadship had been lovingly restored to her classic beauty and had already spent many years chartering the Caribbean. Come aboard and let them show you all the secret spots. Find out what a Romantic Caribbean experience can be!!