Your Captain

Captain J. R. Braugh is co-owner and operator of Ladona. After a decade of skippering the historic windjammers of Frank Swift’s original Camden fleet, he switched to running a private family yacht between Rockport, Maine and Greenwich, Connecticut for the Lorentzen cargo-shipping family.

When approached in early 2014 by Captain Noah and Jane Barnes with the possibility of together restoring a 1920s-era classic ocean racer, J. R. expressed his enthusiasm and became a partner in the new venture. During the two-year Schooner Ladona rebuild, he functioned as both a designer and day-to-day worker.

Since Ladona’s rebirth in 2016 as a Rockland windjammer, J. R. has spent each summer at the wheel. He remains your devoted host, May through October, and does projects for the boat in the winter.

J. R.’s exposure to sailing-lore began with his grandfather, Edmund, an immigrant from Australia who was First Officer on Matsonia, a trans-pacific luxury liner of the 1930s. Edmund’s father Sven, in turn, was officer aboard the four-masted barque Annie M. Reid (1892), a windjammer which frequented Cape Horn during the nitrate trade of WWI.

Today, Captain J. R.’s primary concern is the well-being of all our guests onboard Schooner Ladona. With over 25 years on Penobscot Bay, he will enthusiastically share with you the unique aspects of Maine’s special island archipelago. His crew will likewise keep you entertained and fulfilled.

J. R. holds a USCG 200-Ton Master’s license. He and his crew are COVID-vaccinated and have experience operating in the context of the recent pandemic. J. R. is from San Jose, California. He currently lives in Camden, Maine.

Your Chef

After culinary school, Anna Miller spent over a decade in charter schooner galleys before joining Ladona on her inaugural season. She loves to create intricate and composed dishes for Ladona’s exclusive table.

Previous to Ladona, Anna spent four years as chef aboard the Stephen Taber. Her efforts helped to develop the Taber into the well-known culinary travel destination that it is today.

Anna has always felt at ease in the kitchen, thanks to her Italian grandmothers. She is a creative and warm soul who enjoys combining new flavors while honoring classic dishes. Fresh pastries, homemade charcuterie, gorgeous roasts, and even thoughtfully prepared dishes for special dietary needs – this woman can do it all!

Your Crew

Ladona sails with the following compliment: Captain, Mate, Deckhand, Chef, and Steward. While each has experience in both customer service and traditional sailing, your Chef, Mate, and Captain are credentialed.

The style of interaction onboard Ladona is inclusive, and your staff enjoys sharing conversation and new sailing terms with you. You may rely on them to learn more about traditions found onboard a Maine windjammer.

Ladona crew come from all walks of life and all regions of the United States. Some follow long-term careers in the marine field, but all of them find summers spent on Penobscot Bay to be a strong counterbalance to the conformities of land life.

Foremost, you will find your Ladona crew to be kind and welcoming. They are onboard to serve you and they will put your family’s needs first.

Proud Owners

Captain Noah and Jane Barnes are thrilled to offer their guests a rare opportunity – to experience vintage sailing in style aboard the fully restored Ladona.

Between Noah’s lifetime of experience in the charter world and Jane’s extensive career with hospitality and fine wines, they have built a solid reputation for excellence with their flagship vessel, the Stephen Taber. Since 2004, they have operated the Taber, an endeavor they took over from Noah’s parents who captained the vessel for 25 years.

While Noah and Jane only sail in company on occasion, you will walk away from Ladona having experienced their personal, heartfelt approach to this vacation experience unlike any other.