Captain: Steven French

CAPTAIN – Steven French
Certificates/Education: Marketing Degree, Master 500, Chief Mate 3000
Languages: English

Steven aka “Frenchie” grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa. He spent most of his late teenage years playing professional rugby for the Natal Sharks in Durban and enjoying water sports with family and friends. Steven has a deep passion for hospitality and turned his focus to the yachting industry in 2007 where he started his career as a junior deckhand on large Superyacht, 235’ KOGO in the Mediterranean. Steven spent eight years on this vessel and traveled the world while systemically working his way up to Chief Officer. Steven has also worked onboard 269’ ALPHA NERO, 153’ DAYBREAK, 126’ T-ZERO, and more. Captain Steven has been running SWEET ESCAPE's successful busy program since 2020, always making sure guests have the best experience while ensuring the safety of everyone onboard. Steve is extremely passionate about fitness and living a healthy lifestyle, and never fails to fit in a workout and a power-packed smoothie, even on a busy day!


ENGINEER - Christian Oliver
Languages: English, Afrikaans

Born and bred in beautiful Cape Town, South Africa, Christiaan’s love for the ocean came at a young age. He spent most of his life surfing, diving and sailing in the icy cold water of the Southern Atlantic ocean. After graduating with an honours degree in accounting, but his heart was still with the ocean.

Christiaan then decided to set sail from Cape Town, to the United States of America, to pursue a career in the yachting industry. He was drawn to engineering and has been working his way up. He now holds an MCA Y3 chief engineer certification, along with 15 years of experience in the industry!

He’s the best person to have around to ensure that our vessel is ready to get underway and embark on a new adventure!


CHEF - Owen Morgan
Languages: English

Owen brings new meaning to “culinary excellence”. He has been a chef for over 15 years and has worked alongside Michelin star chefs, such as Ivan Vilches. Owen has won multiple culinary awards and has even competed at national level. He has worked in high-end fine dining restaurants such as Palazzo Versace on the Gold Coast, The Press Club, and Money Order Office in Melbourne.

Both his passion and love for cooking are what drew him into the luxury yachting industry. Owen has worked on several yachts including 213' DOUBLE DOWN, 164' INCOGNITO, 161' HOME among others.

His hobbies include surfing, diving, fishing and gymnastics. Owen looks forward to capturing your culinary dreams onboard with his delicious recipes from around the world- enhanced with his passion and creativity! He will create a unique and unforgettable dining experience for you.

With his impressive resume and ability to impress, we are thrilled to have him on board M/Y Sweet Escape.


CHIEF STEWARDESS – Kristin Stanford
Languages: English, Afrikaans
Nationality: South African

Kristin grew up sailing and always knew that she wanted to join this industry. Right after school, she hopped on a plane to France and climbed onboard the first sailing yacht she saw. Since then, she has done multiple Atlantic crossing and achieved her yacht master’s qualification.

Back in her hometown of Stellenbosch, Kristin had an opportunity to open her own café which she ran for three years. After that, she decided to focus more on the hospitality side of yachting and has now joined chartering motor yachts, which led her to M/Y Sweet Escape. As Chief Stewardess, Kristin ensures that everything in the yacht's interior runs seamlessly. She possesses a remarkable ability to read guests, and she is unwavering in her commitment to maintaining clear lines of communication to ensure that their every need is met. Kristin's desire is to create an environment that evokes a sense of being at home, one that is relaxing and deeply caring.

She enjoys spending time outdoors and doing anything active like running, kitesurfing, hiking, and most importantly, traveling. Kristin has so much love for adventure and meeting amazing people along the way. She is excited to get to know all the guests and cater this experience to them - so that the trip is nothing short of extraordinary!


STEWARDESS - Frankie Buckley
Languages: English, Afrikaans

From the Southeast Coast of England, Frankie is our quintessential English Rose amongst the South Africans and Australians on board.

She is well travelled and gets along with everyone. She has the most incredible work ethic and makes it seem like every request is possible. Frankie will ensure that you are well looked after on your holiday!

Although she has a solid decade of hospitality experience and thrives in the
yachting industry, her main passion is fitness. She is dedicated towards her exercise and has recently completed her 500 hour advanced yoga instructors.

She currently lives in the Bahamas and enjoys living the island life!


STEWARDESS - Samantha McCririck
Languages: English

Meet Samantha, a vibrant and multi-talented Stewardess, who brings a wealth of experiences and a zest for creativity on board SWEET ESCAPE. Hailing from the coastal beauty of Australia, Samantha's childhood was a tapestry of sun, sea, and adventure.

Before setting sail in the world of yachting, Samantha spent seven years as a dedicated primary school teacher in London. Her love for the ocean and working with people of all ages and cultures mixed with her desire to work at sea, naturally drew her to yachting. Samantha's greatest asset is her creativity, nurtured through her passion for dance, painting, and drawing. She then refined these skills as a waitress and a teacher, setting table decorations for functions, creating exciting and engaging lessons for children, and choreographing dance pieces. On board, Samantha particularly loves serving guests, organizing parties, and mixing beautiful, handcrafted cocktails. She wants charter guests to leave with the feeling that their time on board surpassed their expectations.

For Samantha, the small details are what make a trip memorable. From creative table settings, scented hand towels, welcome drinks, and themed nights to personalized touches like scented knowing the guests' names and what they will ask for, even before they ask for it. Developing a good rapport with the guests is highly important. Samantha believes having a happy and positive presence will make the guests feel the same.

Dance and yoga are not just pastimes for Samantha; they're her passions. In her spare time, you can find her engaging in both of these activities, helping cultivate discipline, confidence, and creativity.

With her bubbly personality, she creates a “home away from home” environment onboard M/Y Sweet Escape.


DECKHAND - Luan Groenewald
Languages: English, Afrikaans

Luan grew up in a small village called Gansbaai, on the southern coast of South Africa. Here, he developed a deep connection with the ocean. After high school, Luan started working on a fishing vessel with his father. He then managed to secure his first yachting position on a 200ft Fishing Explorer vessel, where he gained Vast experience!

Luan’s good-natured personality, enthusiasm, and good listening skills brings the best out of people and motivates everyone to enjoy living in the moment. He easily adapts to situations and helps people feel at ease because he genuinely cares about everyone’s well-being.

Luan shows great initiative with guests and will ensure an unforgettable stay onboard M/Y Sweet Escape.


DECKHAND - Benjamin Arce
Languages: English

Ben comes from a small town in Northern Indiana. He has two older brothers that live down in Florida, and after graduating from high school, he decided to follow them. Being around yachts and living on the water, Ben made a few connections and managed to get his foot in the door. He loved the yachting industry and decided to enroll in a few courses. Since then, Ben has been in the industry and has spent some time on board M/Y Sweet Escape. With his hard work, determination and cherry disposition, we keep on calling him back!

Ben is a great addition to our team and will most certainly be a great addition to any charters going ahead. What he loves most about this industry, is the life-long friends made onboard and the treasured memories made together on the ocean.

Ben cannot wait to welcome you all onboard and make sure everyone has the time of their lives on M/Y Sweet Escape!