Sensei

Name: Phyllis Vacal
Nationality: French/Filipino
Position:
Position details: Deck & Interior Crew
Languages: Not specified
Description: Phyllis brings a unique combination of luxury hospitality, deck operations and a medical background to M/Y Sensei. Fluent in French and English, with native Tagalog, she has gained valuable experience aboard yachts up to 44m in the Mediterranean, serving on both private and charter yachts. She is skilled in housekeeping, laundry, guest service, provisioning, table service, docking assistance, line and fender handling, and tender preparation. A qualified medical doctor with previous experience in clinical research and healthcare, she is exceptionally organised, calm under pressure and attentive to detail. STCW, ENG1, Food Hygiene and PADI Advanced Open Water certified, Phyllis is a discreet, proactive and versatile crew member whose positive attitude, professionalism and strong work ethic ensure an exceptional onboard experience for both owners and charter guests.

Name: Maria Rolando Orit
Nationality: Filipino
Position: Chief steward/ess
Position details: Experienced Chief Stewardess with strong interior management skills across service, housekeeping, and provisioning. Hands-on, organised, and guest-focused, ensuring smooth day-to-day interior operations and a consistent service standard.
Languages: Not specified
Description: Maria is an experienced and dedicated Chief Stewardess with a solid background across yachts from 24m to 39m, now leading the interior onboard MY Sensei. Having progressed from day work to sole and chief stewardess roles, she brings a hands-on, proactive approach combined with strong organisational skills and a natural sense of guest care.

She confidently manages all aspects of the interior, including high-standard housekeeping, service, provisioning, and crew coordination. Her versatility also extends to supporting the galley when required, ensuring a smooth and seamless experience for guests at all times.

Known for her attention to detail, positive attitude, and calm approach under pressure, Maria creates a warm and welcoming atmosphere onboard. Her structured yet warm service style ensures a relaxed and well-managed onboard environment throughout the charter.

Professional, discreet, and highly reliable, she is committed to delivering an enjoyable and well-run charter experience onboard MY Sensei.

Name: Théo Vallerand
Nationality: French
Position: Chase Boat Captain
Position details: Highly capable Chase Boat Captain with strong navigation and manoeuvring skills. Supports deck operations including mooring, tender logistics, and guest activities. Reliable, professional, and guest-focused.
Languages: Not specified
Description: Théo is a highly capable and reliable Chase Boat Captain with a strong background operating a wide range of high-performance vessels. Holding a Captain 200 certification, he has extensive experience driving boats such as Fjord, Axopar, Sun Top, and Seawater, ensuring safe, efficient, and enjoyable transfers and guest excursions.

With multiple charter seasons in Corsica and across various Mediterranean cruising grounds, he is confident in navigation, manoeuvring, and guest handling, always maintaining a professional and relaxed approach.

In addition to his chase boat responsibilities, Théo provides valuable support on deck, assisting with mooring operations, tender logistics, and general deck duties. His ability to combine precise boat handling with guest interaction makes him a key asset for both transfers and onboard activities.

Name: Harry Marotee BHIWA
Nationality: French / Mauritian
Position: Chef
Position details: Experienced charter Chef specialising in refined, flavourful cuisine, with a strong focus on fresh ingredients, balanced menus, and adapting to guest preferences and dietary requirements.
Languages: Not specified
Description: Harry began his culinary journey in 2001 as an apprentice at the Hilton Resort & Spa in Mauritius, quickly advancing to Senior Chef de Partie at Lemuria Resort in the Seychelles, where he spent three years refining his skills. In 2005, he transitioned into the yachting industry, joining Princess Cruises for two years before returning to land as a Sous Chef at Relais & Châteaux in Mauritius.

With a passion for travel and a desire to broaden his culinary expertise, Harry has worked across Canada, the Maldives, Mozambique, and Italy, developing his own distinctive style as a Head Chef. He later stepped aboard the charter sailing yachts S/Y Douce France and S/Y Demoiselles, gaining valuable experience in luxury yachting cuisine.

Harry’s cooking blends tropical, Asian, African, and European influences, creating refined, flavourful, and well-balanced dishes using fresh, high-quality ingredients. His cuisine is particularly well suited to modern charter expectations, offering light, elegant menus tailored to guest preferences and dietary requirements.

Using techniques such as sous vide, he ensures precision, consistency, and depth of flavour in every dish, contributing to a memorable and enjoyable dining experience onboard MY Sensei.

Name: Gedreik Monterola
Nationality: French
Position: Captain
Position details: Experienced Captain with strong Mediterranean knowledge, combining hands-on seamanship with structured charter operations, guest management, and efficient crew leadership.
Languages: Not specified
Description: Captain Gedreik Montero brings strong Mediterranean knowledge and structured operational leadership to MY Sensei. Raised in Cannes and having progressed steadily through the deck ranks, he combines hands-on seamanship with a thorough understanding of charter logistics, guest management, and safety compliance.

Having developed his leadership within the Sensei programme, Ged ensures continuity, operational stability, and consistent charter standards. His organised and proactive approach supports smooth turnarounds, efficient itinerary planning, and clear communication with brokers throughout the booking and charter process.

Equally comfortable with private cruising and high-profile event charters, he ensures smooth coordination, efficient guest flow, and a seamless onboard experience. Sensei’s generous volume and competitive positioning in her size category make her an attractive platform for events, while still offering a refined and comfortable experience for family or cruising charters.

Calm under pressure and solution-oriented, Ged maintains strong crew alignment and service consistency, ensuring each charter runs smoothly from start to finish.

Under his command, MY Sensei delivers a reliable, flexible, and commercially strong charter platform in the Mediterranean.

Name: Alexandre Maton
Nationality: French
Position: First Officer
Position details: Experienced Chief Officer with strong navigation, watchkeeping, and deck operations skills. Proactive, reliable, and team-oriented, supporting safe and efficient charter operations.
Languages: Not specified
Description: Alexandre is a dynamic and motivated Chief Officer with solid hands-on experience across both motor and sailing yachts up to 50m. Having recently completed a full charter season as Chief Officer onboard a 34m yacht, he brings strong operational knowledge combined with a genuine passion for navigation and the maritime environment.

He plays a key role in ensuring smooth day-to-day deck operations, including navigation, watchkeeping, mooring, and tender driving, while supporting the safe and efficient running of the charter programme. His experience also includes passage planning, safety procedures, and compliance with onboard operational standards.

Having cruised extensively across the Mediterranean, including the French Riviera, Corsica, Sardinia, and the Amalfi Coast, Alexandre is comfortable operating in demanding charter environments. His calm attitude, strong work ethic, and team-oriented mindset make him a reliable and proactive presence onboard MY Sensei, contributing to a smooth and enjoyable experience for both guests and crew.

Name: Jean-Maxime Roussel
Nationality: French
Position: Chief engineer
Position details: Hands-on Chief Engineer with strong maintenance and technical skills. Proactive, reliable, and detail-oriented, ensuring smooth and efficient day-to-day operations onboard.
Languages: Not specified
Description: Jean-Maxime is a hands-on and technically skilled Chief Engineer with a strong background in yacht maintenance and operations. Having spent the winter onboard MY Sensei working closely with the Captain, he has been fully involved in the upkeep, servicing, and preparation of the yacht, ensuring she is maintained to a high standard ahead of the charter season.

He plays a key role in ensuring all technical systems operate reliably throughout the charter, supporting both safety and guest comfort onboard. With solid experience across a wide range of technical and deck-related tasks, including maintenance, varnishing, carpentry, and general upkeep, Jean-Maxime brings a practical and solution-oriented approach to his role.

Calm, dependable, and highly motivated, his attention to detail and strong work ethic contribute to the smooth and efficient running of the yacht, ensuring a seamless experience for both guests and crew onboard MY Sensei.

Name: Koko Taylor-Cross
Nationality: Australian
Position: Stewardess
Position details: Motivated Stewardess with experience on busy charter yachts, confident in housekeeping, service, and bar operations. Positive, adaptable, and team-oriented.
Languages: Not specified
Description: Koko is an enthusiastic and motivated Stewardess with experience on busy charter yachts up to 45m. Having completed a full season onboard M/Y Antiana, she has developed solid foundations across all aspects of interior operations, including housekeeping, service, and guest care.

She is comfortable working in fast-paced charter environments, maintaining high standards across both housekeeping and service, from turn-ups and turn-downs to bar and meal service. Koko is known for her positive attitude, strong work ethic, and ability to integrate quickly within a team.

Originally from Australia, she brings a naturally warm and approachable personality, contributing to a relaxed and welcoming atmosphere onboard. Eager to continue progressing in the industry, she is committed to delivering a high standard of service and contributing to a smooth and enjoyable guest experience onboard MY Sensei.