Captain: David Rutherford

David Rutherford
Position: Captain
Nationality: Australian
Description:
Captain David brings nearly 30 years of experience in the Superyacht Industry, with 23 of those years dedicated to captaining both private and charter yachts. His extensive career spans destinations including the East and West Mediterranean, the Caribbean, Cuba, Mexico, the Bahamas, and Australia. Among his many adventures, Captain David’s favorite chartering destinations are the Bahamas and the Virgin Islands. When not at sea, he enjoys surfing, wakeboarding, and waterskiing, as well as venturing inland for mountain biking and bushwalking with his wife and son. Committed to delivering an exceptional experience, Captain David and the crew of DE LISLE III go above and beyond to ensure your time on board is truly unforgettable.

Name: Tyler Macula
Position: First Officer
Nationality: Australian
Description:
Introducing Tyler, our affable and effervescent first mate. Born in the Caribbean to Australian parents Tyler spent his formative years sailing around the world on a 45ft sailing boat. Venturing from the turbulent waters of the Alaskan North Pacific to the smoother trade wind routes of the South Pacific it was here he developed an avid love of the underwater world, honing his free diving and spearfishing skills.
Coming from a boat building background and having done frequent delivery work up and down Australia’s east coast and onwards to remote islands in Vanuatu and Fiji before coming onboard DE LISLE III he brings a dynamic work ethic with unwavering enthusiasm making him the perfect asset.
A capable diver and fisherman, Tyler is in his element searching for remote locations to create unforgettable on water experiences for all those aboard.

Name: Nigel Syme
Position: Chef
Nationality: Australian
Description:
Nigel was born in New Zealand, and at the age of three moved to Australia with his family.
As a young boy, in 1997 Nigel was among the top 10 Apprentices in competitions, and in 1999 became a qualified Chef. His first job at Marriott as a Chef de Partie allowed him to dive into his passion under the guidance of English Chef Mark Wilson for 2 years.
Nigel was awarded gold and silver plate awards whilst within the Marriott hotel chain. He opened two of the best Restaurants in Queensland, East Coast Australia, sharpening his skills from training since a young adult, and then found himself working alongside a Personal Chef of the Sultan of Brunei where he became a Chef de Cuisine.
Nigel accommodates a diverse array of tastes. Nigel has more than 25 years experience plating up delicious delights, 6 of which have been enjoyed at sea. Naturally, his love for fine food and the sea, make his seafood selection most requested. Since leaving his land-based career, Nigel has been working on yachts all over the world, creating delights for high profile Owners and Guests.
Nigel has a deep passion, a person who cooks from his heart. Freshly-baked breads, pasta and desserts spread a smell like no other, whetting your appetite as you come out of the water after a day of active pursuit!

Name: Ellie Butterss
Position: Chief Stewardess
Nationality: Australian
Description:
Having grown up in rural tropical North Queensland Ellie has spent a majority of her life outdoors and has love for all things nature and water related. At 19 she left travelled to Europe where she discovered the yachting industry. Cruising throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean, USA and Indonesia she knows what it takes to offer premium, luxury experience to her guests, though it will always be the unique Australian coastline that has her heart.

Name: Holly McDowell
Position: Second Stewardess
Nationality: Australian
Description:
Holly McDowell is an Australian who grew up in Tambourine Mountain, Queensland and possesses a passion for traveling, which has ultimately led her to join the yachting industry. Holly has previously worked as a sole stew/deck and has cruised the Mediterranean and Coral Sea waters. She has been living in the Whitsundays since 2021 and enjoys snorkelling and free diving over the reef. In her spare time, Holly enjoys yoga, meditation, tarot, and journaling whilst watching the sunset on the beach. A fun fact about Holly is that she possesses an ‘outback’ side to her from her dad, running a cattle farm when she’s home. Holly believes that the ultimate key feature of DE LISLE III is the crew and their drive to create amazing, unforgettable experiences for our guests.


Name: Poppy Drysdale
Position: Stewardess
Nationality: Scottish
PREVIOUS YACHTS: S/Y ALLEGRO, M/Y TORO
Description: Meet our Scottish crew member Poppy, a sports scientist from Scotland. Poppy has a passion for health and fitness and as a former international modern pentathlete & tetrathlete she brings a dynamic blend of athleticism and sports expertise to our crew. Having completed two seasons in Greece as a windsurfing instructor she loves all water based activities and has grown up around the water. As an au pair in Italy during Covid Poppy discovered her passion for international travel and childcare and is delighted to be part of the Delisle III adventures.

Name: Toby Christopher Meredith
Position: Chief Engineer
Nationality: Australian
PREVIOUS YACHTS: SV Atlantic Clipper, SV New Horizon, SV British Defender, SV Boomerang, SV Southern Cross, SV Whitsunday Blue, MV Tornado, MV Skybird
TONY HAS CRUISED: Australia: the Coral Sea, East Coast.
Description:
DE LISLE III's engineer holds a key role on board with extensive experience in the Australian and New Zealand oceans, on motor and sailing vessels. Of course, the engine room for him is the key center of operations on board DE LISLE III, and he looks forward to showing guests around.
Tony has worked within the maritime industry for over 10 years , on a variety of different vessels. It was only a recent merge for him to start working within the superyacht industry: he loves the adventure and unknown, exploring new places and meeting new people.
Tony recently purchased a house and has been enjoying the renovation process, landscaping, and watching the sunset from the balcony. He plays Golf, enjoys scuba diving and used to ski back home in New Zealand.
Approach Tony to discuss all things scuba diving, his real passion!