Meet the captain
Meet Captain Renato
The ocean has been part of my life for as long as I can remember.
Today, I share that passion with my wife, Elizabeth, our son, Jacob, and our four-legged first mate, Carli. They have supported every early morning departure, every late-night boat project, and every dream that eventually became Last Captain Charters.
Their love and encouragement have been the foundation of this journey, and they continue to inspire everything I do.
Where it all began
A connection to the sea that spans generations.
I was born to Portuguese parents from the small fishing village of Cova Gala, Figueira da Foz, where generations of my family made their living from the sea. Shortly after I was born, my parents immigrated to New Bedford, Massachusetts, where my father began his lifelong career as a commercial fishing captain.
Some of my earliest memories are spending summer days on the docks while my father worked alongside his crew, preparing the boat for its next trip. Whether they were making repairs, unloading gear, or getting everything ready to head back to sea, I was always nearby, taking it all in. Those days on the waterfront sparked a fascination with the ocean that has stayed with me ever since.
F/V Imigrante is a 75-foot commercial fishing vessel that historically operated out of the port of New Bedford, Massachusetts.
Portuguese heritage
Rooted in a fishing village.
My family's roots trace back to Cova Gala, Figueira da Foz, a small Portuguese fishing village where generations of fishermen earned their living from the Atlantic.
That heritage shaped our family's work ethic, respect for the sea, and appreciation for the traditions that continue to influence my life today.
Engineering by profession, captain by passion
The ocean was never far away.
As life moved on, I built a career in engineering, eventually working my way from Systems Engineer to Engineering Program Manager. But the ocean was never far away. Fishing remained the constant that always pulled me back to the water whenever I had the chance.
Over the years, I spent countless hours exploring Buzzards Bay and the surrounding waters—chasing striped bass and bluefish along our coastline, pursuing false albacore around the Elizabeth Islands, and gradually expanding my range farther offshore with each passing season.
In 2020, I purchased my 2014 Cobia 237. That boat opened a whole new chapter, allowing me to venture farther from shore and experience everything from peaceful mornings inside Buzzards Bay to offshore trips more than 60 miles from land. Every trip has been another opportunity to learn, improve, and deepen my respect for these waters.
Carli, our seven-year-old Goldendoodle, is the official four-legged first mate of Last Captain Charters.
Family first
Built with the support of the people I love most.
Today, Last Captain Charters brings together everything that has shaped my life: my Portuguese heritage, my family's commercial fishing tradition, my engineering background, and a lifelong passion for the ocean.
None of it would have been possible without the unwavering support of my family. My wife, Elizabeth Gravato, has stood beside me through every early morning departure, every late-night boat project, and every challenge that comes with turning a lifelong dream into reality.
Our son, Jacob Gravato, an incoming college freshman, joins me on the water whenever he can. And our seven-year-old Goldendoodle, Carli, has earned her place as the official four-legged first mate—and, as this photo proves, she is just as happy posing with the catch as she is riding along for the adventure.
To provide every guest with a safe, memorable day on the water and an experience they will be talking about long after we return to the dock.
Why “Last Captain”?
A family name that was waiting to be discovered.
People often ask where the name Last Captain came from.
For years, I refused to name my boat because I wanted to wait until I had earned my U.S. Coast Guard Merchant Mariner Captain's License.
One evening, while sitting around a fire with my brother Dario and his girlfriend Bri, they asked how the licensing process was going. I told them I could not wait to finish because, once I earned my license, I would be the last captain in the family.
My father had spent his career as a commercial fishing captain.
My brother had become a captain for American Airlines.
And I was about to earn my own captain's license.
We all looked at each other for a moment, smiled, and realized the name had been sitting right in front of us all along.
Last Captain was born.
Today, every time I leave the harbor, the name Last Captain reminds me of where I came from, the family that inspired me, and the responsibility to make every trip safe, enjoyable, and memorable.
Plan a Trip with Captain Renato