LADY ELAINE

Name: Mieke Roux
Nationality: South African
Position: Stewardess
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: Mieke grew up in Franschhoek, a charming town in the heart of South Africa’s Cape Winelands, surrounded by vineyards, mountains, and world-class culinary culture. After building a strong foundation in her career as a food technologist, she felt inspired to take a break, explore the world, and pursue a new adventure. In 2022, she headed to Europe to begin her yachting journey, where she quickly discovered a passion for the fast-paced, service-driven lifestyle onboard.

Mieke has a deep love for travel and discovering new cultures, especially through international cuisine. When she’s not working, you’ll likely find her underwater scuba diving, exploring local markets, or unwinding with a gripping crime novel. With her warm personality, curiosity, and diverse skill set, she brings both enthusiasm and professionalism to the interior team.

Name: Tom Tuta
Nationality: Croatian
Position:
Position details: Chief Officer
Languages: Not specified
Description: Tom was born in Zadar, which is coastal town of Croatia located in the middle of the Adriatic Sea. After maritime College he completed his OOW unlimited certificate and started his yachting career. His love of sea and adventure, combined with maritime education made him a successful seaman from early ages. Throughout his career he visited most of the Mediterranean countries such as Italy, France, Spain, Malta, Croatia, Montenegro, Monaco, etc. With a positive outlook and a good sense of humor Tom is always reliable and professional. He readily contributes to all aspects of yachting life and rise to any challenge.

Name: Rachel Ryan
Nationality: New Zealander
Position: Chief steward/ess
Position details: Stewardess
Languages: Not specified
Description: Rachel Ryan grew up in Wellington, New Zealand. Her older sister introduced her to the yachting industry as they are both alike and enjoy traveling to explore new places. Rachel was excited to go and explore the world and was hired by one her most favorite companies. She worked onboard Disney cruise line as a ‘fairy godmother’ creating magical moments for young children in the “Bibiddi Bobbidi Boutique". Rachel has many years working as a stewardess onboard yachts. She has worked on both private and charter yachts in many different locations around the world. She has seen parts of the Mediterranean the beautiful beaches in the Caribbean and the Bahamas. One of Rachel’s favorite spots to explore was the Fjords in Norway as it was off the beaten track, peaceful and breathtakingly still.

Name: Cornellius Van Dyk
Nationality: South African
Position: Deckhand
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: Neill was born and raised in the scenic coastal town of Hermanus, just outside Cape Town, South Africa. Growing up by the ocean sparked his early fascination with the maritime world and nurtured a natural affinity for outdoor adventure. After finishing high school, Neill committed fully to pursuing a career in yachting, completing all required deckhand certifications and gaining valuable hands-on experience in the industry.
Known for his strong work ethic, enthusiasm, and consistently positive attitude. His passion for sports and the outdoors has shaped his energetic and active lifestyle, qualities that translate seamlessly into his role on board.

Name: Daniel Cohen
Nationality: American
Position: Bosun
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: Daniel Cohen was born and raised in Los Angeles California where his family has enjoyed boating to Catalina Island. He began driving tenders at the age of 5 and by age 13 was docking 50’ boats. He graduated the University of Maryland with a degree in Public Health Science and a focus in Pre-medicine. After college he decided to take break from school and pursue his passion for yachts and began his yachting career. He plans to eventually go back to school and become an orthopedic surgeon. When not at work you will find him back home in California visiting family, and friends, playing with his dog, surfing, skiing, hiking, scuba diving, fishing, mountain biking, golfing or watching movies.

Name: Benjamin Hodkinson
Nationality: South African
Position:
Position details: Engineer (rotational)
Languages: Not specified
Description: From the age of 8, Ben has been immersed in the world of sailing, racing competitively and exploring the depths of the sea. Ben has been working on yachts for twenty years predominantly, as a Chief Engineer. Engineering has always been a fascination from tinkering with cars to rebuilding a mini at an early age. His passion for the water extends beyond sailing, encompassing windsurfing and the technical challenges of tech diving. He brings this diverse blend of expertise and enthusiasm to both his work and hobbies.

Name: Fanie Oosthuizen
Nationality: South African
Position:
Position details: Engineer (rotational)
Languages: Not specified
Description: Fanie was born in Zimbabwe but grew up in the small town of Nelspruit that borders the Kruger National Park in South Africa. He was working as an equipment analyst in a paper mill when, in 2000, an engineer friend introduced him to the yachting industry. Fanie has worked as an engineer on a number of yachts and has extensively sailed the Mediterranean, Bahamas & Caribbean, Indian Ocean, and Asia. He currently holds the Y3 engineering qualification and plans to progress up the ranks to obtain his Y2 certificate. When Fanie is not sweating it out in the engine room, he is an avid fresh and saltwater fisherman, diver, and golfer.

Name: Candice Preston
Nationality: South African
Position: Stewardess
Position details: Stewardess
Languages: Not specified
Description: Candice was born and grew up in the Coastal South African city of Durban. After graduating high school, she decided to pursue her career as a stewardess onboard a yacht, and thus earned her stew qualification in September of 2021, making her way to Fort Lauderdale. A lover of the great outdoors, Candice is often going camping, and in her free time she also enjoys Equestrian show jumping, waterskiing, golfing and is also a talented artist. Candice has a good sense of humor and always enjoys a good joke. She is always ready and willing to help with any request.

Name: Helgi Olafson
Nationality: Canadian
Position: Chef
Position details: Chef (rotational)
Languages: Not specified
Description: Chef Helgi Olafson
Helgi was born in Canada and raised there until the age of 6, when he moved with his parents and older brother to The Big Island of Hawaii. When Helgi turned 13, he moved with his mom and his brother to Sarasota, Florida to attend Pine View School for the Academically Gifted. Following a passion for building his food knowledge, he has lived and worked in high-end restaurants in Florida, Arizona, Oregon, Hawaii, Montana and Texas. Helgi’s passion for adventure has brought him to the yachting industry in 2011, working aboard classic yachts and Superyachts in Alaska, Southeast Florida, Panama, Bermuda and the Caribbean. Not only does Helgi have 23 years of culinary experience, but also he has had the opportunity to work as a Casting Food Judge for FOX Network’s hit TV show, MasterChef USA with Gordon Ramsay. Helgi believes that food should be simple and true to the ingredients in each dish, using the freshest and most local produce and proteins. Helgi has been a professional and hobbyist carpenter and landscaper in the past. He believes in sustainability and giving back to the communities where he lives and works. As an arborist, he was an integral part of the relief efforts of catastrophic hurricanes Katrina, Wilma, Irma, and Ian. He has also aided in the relief efforts in Mt. Hood National Forest to reopen trails that were destroyed from the infamous 2017 Eagle Creek Fire. Helgi is an accomplished ultra-endurance athlete in his spare time. Fitness is a primary focus in his life. He has completed marathons and iron distance triathlons, as well as ultramarathons of varying distance. In 2018, Helgi became one of 39 people in the world to have ever completed the Triple Crown of 200s, which is a series that consists of three non-stop 200 + mile ultramarathons in 10 weeks, totaling 650 miles and 100,000 feet of elevation gain. In 2021, Helgi completed the same series a second time, but this time connecting the three races in between for a total of 2,850 human powered miles in 61 days, being the first and only person to ever complete a Trans
Triple Crown of 200s. In October of 2023, Helgi finished his 14th 200 + mile ultramarathon and third Triple Crown. Helgi has ankylosing spondylitis (AS), a degenerative auto-immune arthritis. He promotes “movement as medicine” and raises awareness of his condition in partnership with the Spondylitis Association of America. To learn more about Helgi please visit: http://linktr.ee/helgiolafson

Name: Phil Browning
Nationality: American
Position: Chef
Position details: Chef (rotational)
Languages: Not specified
Description: Chef Phil began his career in Shropshire, England. At the age of 12, he worked as a part-time dishwasher after school. By the time he was 15, he was hired as a Sous Chef of a two Rosette restaurant. After training in England, Phil became a citizen of the world to explore different cultures and broaden his culinary knowledge and skills. After finally settling in Copenhagen Denmark, he was retained at the famous Café Victor, where he cooked for Royalty and celebrities daily. For two years, he worked as the Head Chef of a renowned Danish restaurant. Eventually, while working in Denmark, he discovered the world of yachting and was on his way to his first yacht in Malta. Yachting has taken him all over the world. He has an immense passion for baking and desserts. He thrives to make every dining experience one to remember.

Name: David Sloate
Nationality: American
Position: Captain
Position details: Captain
Languages: Not specified
Description: Born and raised in southern California, David has been around the water all his life. He started his boating career when he was 15 years old going fishing anytime he could. He received his first Coast Guard license at the age of 22 and has been running boats ever since. David has been many places, but his favorite has been southeast Alaska where the beauty of the landscape and the fishing is plentiful. David’s daughter is also in the industry as a chief stewardess.