Captain: Ersin

Captain Ersin Kamış is spending his third year mastering a luxury sailing gulet “Virtuoso”. Ersin is 38 years old, and he’s been working as a captain for almost one third of his life. Being originally from Hopa, located at the Black Sea coast of Turkey, he completed his professional education in Maritime College of Kocaeli near Istanbul. At the age of 23 Ersin received his captain license, and since then he’s been working at luxury charter yachts sailing in the Easter Mediterranean. He knows perfectly the sailing area of South-Eastern Turkey and islands of Greece. Apart from being a true professional, Captain Ersin has a debonair personality. He’s very friendly and communicative. He’s always there for the guests whenever they want to choose the best and the most interesting destination in the area, and ready to show a quiet secluded bay with crystal-clear turquoise water or an authentic village with some historical sights to explore and great restaurants to enjoy a wonderful culinary journey. One of the most favorite sailing areas for Ersin is Cyclades islands and the coast near Turkish little yachtsmen town Bozburun. Captain is very passionate about the sea and gulets. He’s been through the refit with “Virtuoso” and knows his yacht perfectly. He’s a true team leader having great relationships with his crew.

First mate, Can (pron. Djan) Yurttaş is a very interesting and versatile young man coming originally from Kuşadası. Being only 21 years of age, he’s already doing his seventh season working in marine business, holds a captain’s license, speaks excellent English, and owns perfect service and hospitality skills. After high school Can also attended Maritime College of Kocaeli, like Captain Ersin. After the graduation, he took some additional training courses, successfully passed all necessary exams and received a license, which allows him to master a yacht. For his perseverance and high professionalism, Can has been promoted this year to the position of the first mate. He helps Captain and his teammates, participates in service and takes care of any questions, which may arise. Can is very kind and attentive. In his free time, Can loves bowling, fishing, walking outdoors and exploring new places. His younger brother is also a sailor and plans to make it a part of his lifetime career, just like his elder brother. Can really loves his job and is happy when guests are enjoying the most of their holiday aboard “Virtuoso”.

Chef Mehmet Özgür Sert is a naturally gifted man. He is 34 years old and originally comes from a beautiful inland Turkish town Bolu, which is near the Black Sea. Being a chef is not only a lifetime profession for Mehmet, it is his true passion. Before starting to work aboard luxury charter yachts and cook culinary masterpieces for guests from all parts of the world, Mehmet worked in Istanbul. There he was mastering kitchens in luxury restaurants and hotels, always improving and polishing his skills. In wintertime, Mehmet comes back to Istanbul to spend time with his wife and two kids. Chef Mehmet doesn’t only please the tastes of his guests with various dishes of Turkish and Ottoman cuisines, Italian, French, and Japanese, but also with his own recipes. He loves using inspiration and experimenting with ingredients, tastes, and decors of his dishes. Mehmet is also excellent in pastry making. These are his own secrets, but we’d love to know how he makes those brownies and meringues so light and sweet to a turn. When not working, Mehmet loves being with his family, spending time near the sea and swimming, travelling and vising historical places. It is Chef Mehmet’s third year aboard “Virtuoso” luxury yacht.

Eda Aras is working as a stewardess aboard “Virtuoso”. It is her first year in maritime business, but she’s already showing great performance. Eda is 20 years old, and she’s very perseverant young lady, who loves the sea, adores working with people and growing professionally. After high school in Kuşadası, she was enrolled in Maritime College of Kocaeli. Eda is happy with her choice. She says the job becomes more and more interesting for her and opens new horizons in life. This year Eda is responsible for keeping the staterooms in excellent condition during the charters and helping her teammates with service. She plans to continue working aboard the yacht and never stop mastering her skills to the top. When Eda has a free time, she spends it for reading books or fishing.

Ali Özgür Kaya is 22 years of age. Aboard Virtuoso, he is working as a seaman. It is his second season with the crew. Ali is a professional young man, who’s helping Captain and his colleague Çağdaş to maintain “Virtuoso” in excellent condition, open sails when the wind is right, a guests with water sports. Ali has also graduated from a maritime college, and his life goal is to become a yacht captain. We believe Ali has all skills to achieve his goals. What makes him a great team member of the crew is his friendly smile and a strong belief in the integrity of teamwork.

Çağdaş (pron. Tschaa-dash) Güneş is a also seaman, and it’s also his first year with Virtuoso. Although he’s been working aboard luxury yachts for the past six years. He shows excellent seaman skills and knows what a perfect service must be like. He is 24 years of age. Çağdaş comes from the northern part of Turkey, from a town called Kastamonu. That’s where he went to high school. Even though his hometown isn’t located by the sea, Çağdaş always loved the water. So, it is no wonder he’s chosen to dedicate his life to a marine profession. However, Çağdaş is expanding his horizons. After finishing maritime education and receiving a yacht captain license, Çağdaş began to study Tourism and Hospitality at the university. If Çağdaş has a free time, he’s happy to play football, listen to music and swim in some warm waters. Çağdaş has a very kind, friendly, and collected personality.