Today we’d like to introduce you to April And John Parks.
Hi April and John, so excited to have you on the platform. So before we get into questions about your work-life, maybe you can bring our readers up to speed on your story and how you got to where you are today?
For more than 30 years, Sea Breeze Marine Co. has been keeping South Florida’s boaters cool and comfortable. Founded as a small, family-operated service business, we began with a simple mission: to provide reliable, high-quality marine air conditioning and refrigeration services with honesty, craftsmanship, and care.
In the early days, our founder recognized a growing need among local boat owners for trustworthy repair and installation experts who truly understood marine systems—not just HVAC in general. Starting out with a single service truck and a passion for helping the boating community, Sea Breeze Marine Co. quickly earned a reputation for doing the job right the first time. Word of mouth from satisfied customers fueled our growth, and soon we were serving marinas, private vessels, and commercial fleets across Palm Beach, Broward, and Miami-Dade counties.
As South Florida’s boating scene expanded, so did we. Over the decades, Sea Breeze Marine Co. invested in advanced diagnostic technology, continuous technician training, and partnerships with leading marine equipment brands. What hasn’t changed is our commitment to personalized service, family values, and the same hands-on approach that built our business.
Today, Sea Breeze Marine Co. remains a trusted name in marine air conditioning and refrigeration installation, maintenance, and repair. Our team combines decades of technical expertise with a deep respect for the sea and the people who love it. Whether servicing a single-engine fishing boat or a luxury yacht, we treat every project as a partnership—ensuring that comfort, safety, and reliability are always at the helm.
At Sea Breeze Marine Co., we’re proud of where we started, how far we’ve come, and where we’re going next—continuing to serve South Florida’s boating community with the same dedication and integrity that have guided us from day one.
As Sea Breeze Marine Co. sails into a new era, its compass remains fixed on the same values that guided its founder more than 40 years ago — integrity, craftsmanship, and a love for life on the water.
After decades at the helm, founder Henry Garberg decided it was time to enjoy a well-earned retirement in 2023. But before stepping away, he entrusted the company to someone who shared his dedication to excellence and his respect for the marine community — his long-time right-hand man, John W. Parks.
John had worked side by side with Henry for over 20 years, mastering every aspect of marine air conditioning and refrigeration while upholding the reputation Henry built. When Henry passed the torch, John, along with his wife April and their son Tyler Parks, proudly stepped in to continue the family tradition. Together, they carry forward not only the technical expertise but also the heartfelt commitment to customer care that has defined Sea Breeze Marine for decades.
Under the Parks family’s leadership, Sea Breeze Marine Co. is blending old-school craftsmanship with new technology to meet the needs of today’s boaters. From energy-efficient systems and smart climate controls to eco-friendly refrigerants that protect Florida’s waters, the team is investing in innovation without losing sight of its roots.
But technology is only part of the story. The real foundation of Sea Breeze Marine Co. remains its people — a small, dedicated team that treats every client like family and every vessel as if it were their own. Whether servicing a weekend cruiser or a luxury yacht, they bring the same professionalism, attention to detail, and trust that built the company’s name generations ago.
As Sea Breeze Marine Co. looks to the horizon, the mission remains unchanged: to serve the boating community of South Florida with honesty, reliability, and a personal touch — keeping boaters cool, comfortable, and confident, no matter what the seas may bring.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Like the seas we work on, the journey has had its calm waters and its storms.
Sea Breeze Marine Co. began with a leap of faith and a love for the ocean. In the late 1970s, our founder and his pregnant wife left Rhode Island on a sailboat, charting a new course south in search of sunshine, opportunity, and a place to call home. When they reached Fort Lauderdale—nicknamed the Venice of America for its canals and boating culture—they fell in love instantly. The water, the weather, and the friendly community convinced them to drop anchor for good.
In 1980, with little more than determination, skill, and a dream of making a living by the sea, they founded Sea Breeze Marine Co. Their vision was simple: to help fellow boaters stay comfortable and safe with dependable marine air conditioning and refrigeration service. They started small—just one boat, one toolbox, and a handful of loyal customers—but their work ethic and integrity quickly earned the trust of South Florida’s boating families and seasonal “snowbirds.”
Over the decades, the journey has not always been easy. The company weathered literal and figurative storms—from hurricanes that damaged marinas and equipment to economic downturns that tested the resilience of small businesses. In the 2010s, larger national HVAC corporations began expanding into the marine market, making it harder for family-owned businesses to compete on price and scale. But Sea Breeze Marine stayed true to its roots.
Rather than chase volume, the family focused on what had always set them apart: personal service, craftsmanship, and relationships built on trust. While corporate competitors came and went, Sea Breeze remained steady—showing up for customers during emergencies, supporting the local boating community, and standing by every repair and installation.
More than 40 years later, the company is still family-run, serving generations of clients who know that when they call Sea Breeze, they’re getting honest work from people who live, boat, and raise their families right here in South Florida.
Sea Breeze Marine’s story is one of perseverance—of holding on to the American dream amid changing tides. What began as one couple’s adventure has become a lasting legacy of service, craftsmanship, and community in the heart of Fort Lauderdale’s marine industry.
Appreciate you sharing that. What should we know about Sea Breeze Marine Co.?
Sea Breeze Marine Co. is a family-owned and operated business that has been serving South Florida’s boating community since 1980. We specialize in marine air conditioning and refrigeration installation, repair, and maintenance, helping boaters—from local residents to seasonal visitors—stay comfortable and safe on the water. Based in Fort Lauderdale, the “Venice of America,” our team has built a reputation for quality workmanship, reliability, and honest service that has spanned more than four decades.
What truly sets Sea Breeze Marine apart is our heritage and hands-on service. We’re not a large corporation—we’re a family that works directly with our customers. When you call us, you’re speaking to people who live and boat in your community, who understand the challenges of Florida’s climate, and who genuinely care about keeping your systems running smoothly. We’ve stayed true to our roots through every wave of industry change, prioritizing craftsmanship, trust, and long-term reliability over volume or shortcuts.
We’re proud to be recognized as a trusted, local brand with deep roots in the South Florida boating community. Our greatest source of pride is the loyalty of our customers—many of whom we’ve served for decades. Maintaining our reputation as a dependable, family-run company in an era dominated by large corporations is no small feat, and we take great pride in carrying forward the legacy of our founder, Henry Garberg, through the leadership of John and April Parks and their son Tyler.
At Sea Breeze Marine, we believe that boating should be a joy, not a hassle. Whether you need a full system installation, emergency repair, or routine maintenance, our mission is to keep you cool, comfortable, and confident every time you leave the dock. We’re committed to combining old-school reliability with new-school technology—offering eco-friendly, energy-efficient systems and smart climate solutions designed for today’s boaters.
We’re more than a service company; we’re your neighbors, partners, and fellow boaters—dedicated to helping you make the most of every day on the water.
Because at Sea Breeze Marine, this isn’t just business — it’s a way of life. What matters most to us is people — our customers, our team, and our community. Sea Breeze Marine was built on trust, relationships, and craftsmanship, and we’ve carried those values forward for over 40 years. Every job we take on isn’t just about fixing an air conditioner or refrigerator; it’s about helping someone protect their boat and enjoy life on the water.
As we bring in new technology and guide the next generation, our mission remains simple: keep boaters cool, comfortable, and confident — and keep the spirit of small, family-owned businesses thriving in South Florida.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.SeaBreezeMarineCo.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/seabreezemarinesf
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/people/Sea-Breeze-Marine-Company/
Image Credits
Sea Breeze Marine, Co.
