Captain Michael was born in Massachusetts into a legendary commercial Swordfishing family; he started working as a deckhand on the boats at the age of 12. The family vessels fished the Georges Banks off the coast of Cape Cod and the Grand Banks off Newfoundland gaining notoriety in 1991 after surviving the "Perfect Storm". Michael worked in the family business throughout high school and college.

After college Michael joined the U.S. Coast Guard to pursue his love of the sea, a passion for search and rescue, and a desire to serve his country. As a Boatswain’s Mate in the Guard Michael served as a Coxswain, Maritime Law Enforcement Officer  and finally as a Rescue Swimmer. Michael participated in, and was credited with numerous rescues.

Michael became a professional yacht captain after his time in the Coast Guard. In his yachting career he has worked on an array of yachts in both the private and charter sectors, and has traveled extensively throughout U.S. waters, the Bahamas, Caribbean, and S.E. Asia.

In his free time he enjoys mentoring kids in youth organizations such as SCUBAnauts International.