OCTOPUS

Name: Wesley Pauls
Nationality: South Africa
Position: Engineer
Position details: 2nd Engineer
Languages: Not specified
Description: Wesley Pauls is a 27-year-old 2nd Engineer from Southbroom, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. With a strong practical background and years of hands-on experience in plumbing before moving into engineering, Wesley has built a career around hard work, technical skill, and problem-solving. Outside of work, he enjoys spending time in the ocean surfing, heading out fishing, and playing golf whenever he gets the chance as well as adding tons of butter to his breads. Growing up on the South Coast has shaped his love for the outdoors and laid-back coastal lifestyle.

Name: Angie Pietersen
Nationality: South Africa
Position: Bosun
Position details: Bosun
Languages: Not specified
Description: Angelique Pietersen, known as Angie, was born and raised in a small town in Mpumalanga, South Africa, near the Kruger National Park. With a strong outgoing personality and passion for adventure, she decided to pursue a career abroad and began her yachting journey in 2022. Over the years, she has traveled extensively throughout the Mediterranean and quickly progressed within the industry, earning the role of Bosun aboard M/Y Octopus, for nearly a year. Angie is passionate about creating memorable experiences and lifelong memories for those around her. She is eager to continue learning, loves working with kids and takes pride in the finer details of guest experience and onboard lifestyle. In her free time, she enjoys free-diving, outdoor adventures, art, escape rooms, and spending quality time with loved ones.

Name: Mitchell Elkington
Nationality: Australia
Position: Deckhand
Position details: Deckhand
Languages: Not specified
Description: Mitchell is 20 years old and from the land down under in Bendigo. You can usually find him going on walks heading towards the nearest park with his pet turtle Eugene. Mitchell really enjoys all things bright yellow, owns tons of hats and fanny packs and is always in tye dye when he's not at work. In his free time we always catch him watching competitive chess tournaments. One of his favorite foods is anything on a bagel and a lot of mayonnaise. We really enjoy his efforts in being a great friend and his energetic presence everyday, he is a light in our lives.

Name: Casey Shields
Nationality: United States
Position: Chief steward/ess
Position details: Chief Stewardess
Languages: Not specified
Description: Casey grew up in Atlanta, Georgia and left home for yachting on her 22nd birthday. She has been in the yachting world for 14 years now and has been to over 40 countries, with her favorite region being southeast Asia. Casey enjoys going to wellness retreats when she travels and spending as much time as possible with animals wherever she goes. Her hobbies include tennis, pilates, traveling and reading. She hopes to one day have a farm and name all of her fury friends with 'p' names. She currently has a little chihuahua named Paisley Pancakes that resides with her family back in Georgia.

Name: Genevieve Hulley
Nationality: South Africa
Position: Stewardess
Position details: Stewardess
Languages: Not specified
Description: Gen grew up along the coast of South Africa in the Transkei on a farm with her two sisters and parents and is 25 years old. She has been in the industry for two years and has spent all of her time off travelling all over the world, with her favorite destinations being Thailand and Turkey so far. Gen studied a bachelor's degree in education and has her open water PADI certificate. When she's not working, Gen likes to do yoga, go to the beach, hike, dive and draw. Gen absolutely loves being outdoors and in nature with any animals around. She is excited to continue her journey in yachting and travel more while joking around and laughing with people.

Name: Keira Allen
Nationality: United Kingdom
Position: Stewardess
Position details: Stewardess
Languages: Not specified
Description: Keira was born in England and grew up in West Palm Beach, Florida. She is 26 years old and enjoys discovering new places, spending time by the water, staying active, and making the most of life outdoors. Having traveled throughout Scandinavia and the Caribbean, she has developed a love for exploring new cultures and destinations. On her free time, she likes to longboard, workout, and spend time with friends and family. She has been in the yachting industry for almost a year and is excited to continue her journey and make new experiences.

Name: Caleb Semtner
Nationality: United States
Position: Captain
Position details: Captain
Languages: Not specified
Description: Captain Caleb Semtner was born on the Gulf Coast of Florida and raised in Chattanooga, Tennessee. He began his career working on classic riverboats and tugs before entering the yachting industry in 2007. Leveraging his extensive commercial experience, he quickly advanced through the ranks. His maritime career includes crossing the Atlantic, Pacific, and the Equator. He has navigated the Mediterranean, Caribbean, the East and West Coasts of the United States, Panama, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, New Zealand, Fiji, Tahiti, and the glacier fields of Alaska. Caleb's attention to detail, technical knowledge, and strong communication skills have led him to captain high-profile private and charter programs. Caleb joined the vessel OCTOPUS upon its acquisition by the current owners. His extensive tenure and charter expertise enable him to provide a five-star experience for all guests, ensuring a professional and memorable environment. In his personal time, Caleb enjoys spearfishing, motorcycling, and spending time with his daughter.

Name: Ben Grobler
Nationality: South Africa
Position: First Officer
Position details: First Officer
Languages: Not specified
Description: Barend "Ben" Grobler is a South African first officer with a passion for adventure, precision, and life on the water. Combining professionalism with a calm and disciplined approach, Ben has built his career around responsibility, teamwork, and navigating demanding environments at sea. Outside of work, he enjoys kitesurfing, fishing, and golf — pursuits that reflect his love for the outdoors, focus, and active lifestyle. Known for his grounded personality and strong work ethic, Ben values both personal growth and the freedom that comes with exploring the world.

Name: Jim Paulson
Nationality: Denmark
Position: Chief engineer
Position details: Chief Engineer
Languages: Not specified
Description: Jim is a 39 year old Danish Engineer. He's always loved to travel from a young age and decided to join the merchant navy. He studied marine engineering in Denmark and graduated through the shipping company Maersk and finished in 2015 as a dual marine officer, then worked 2 years with Maersk Supply Services in Western Angola before coming to the North Sea for a small stint. Then he remembered he had heard about yachting during his schooling and gave it a chance in 2018 and has been in the industry ever since and loves it. It has taken him all over the world, which I am very grateful for. During his spare time he loves to keep himself busy playing soccer, paddle, tennis, pickleball, running, kitesurfing or hiking. Above all his greatest passion is skiing which has taken him all over the world to very remote places such as Turkey, Georgia, and Kashmir.

Name: Ricky Velez
Nationality: United States
Position: Chef
Position details: Chef
Languages: Not specified
Description: Ricky is a third-generation, Mexican-American, culinary master whose cuisine is comparable to artwork in that it delights all of the senses, from the plating to the taste to the texture. He has been cooking professionally for over ten years and has held positions in five-star restaurants, resorts, country clubs, French bakeries, and most recently, superyachts. Ricky's extensive background has made him quite the virtuoso in the kitchen (or the galley, in this case). He has been known to say that his experience working in the yachting industry has helped bolster his skills and has allowed him to deliver top-notch foods in many different styles of international cuisine. Simply put, he is a genuine treasure to have at your beck and call. With Ricky, you truly get the best of both worlds; his passionate execution of the classics and traditional dishes is rooted in training from the best in the industry. At the same time, he is also part of the new, younger generation of chefs who thrive when able to play with the boundaries of gastronomy and the latest trends – such as fusions and molecular gastronomy. There's no two ways about one thing though – being nourished (body and soul) by Chef Ricky is a real treat!