Captain Dave Bio

Meet Captain Dave

Captain Dave has called Channel Islands Harbor home for over 15 years, and he’s been a proud Ventura County resident for more than three decades. Raised in Ojai, he was a student-athlete at both Nordhoff High School and Ventura College, deeply rooted in the local community from a young age.

Over the years, Captain Dave held a variety of jobs across the county before discovering his true calling on the water. Some of his notable roles included Head Transporter at St. John’s Pleasant Valley Hospital (2001–2003), Doorman and later General Manager at Nicholby’s Nightclub (1998–2008), and Doorman at The Victoria Pub (2010–2014). Through these positions, he built strong relationships with countless members of the community.

In 2007, Captain Dave found his passion for the ocean and began a 14-year career as a deckhand in commercial fishing. That experience paved the way for his next chapter: becoming a licensed captain. In 2020, he fulfilled that dream by launching Channel Islands Marine Safari Adventures, operating a 32-foot Radon vessel named North Sea.

Community Involvement

Captain Dave is not just a mariner—he’s a dedicated community volunteer. He serves as Executive Director of the Ventura County Commercial Fishermen’s Association, a nonprofit that advocates for local fishermen. With the support of a committed board, he has grown the association from just five members to over seventy strong.

He also volunteers as the webmaster for the Channel Islands Neighborhood Council, part of the Oxnard City Council’s neighborhood council network. Captain Dave has developed a user-friendly, informative website that he regularly updates with news from the Oxnard City Council, the Ventura County Board of Supervisors, and the Ventura County Harbor Department—keeping residents informed and connected to the decisions that shape their community.

Feel free to explore the links on this page to see the many hats Captain Dave wears and the local projects he’s proud to support.