MARAYA

Name: Kyle Meidlinger
Nationality: South African
Position: Captain
Position details: Rotation Captain
Languages: Not specified
Description: Captain Kyle brings over 12 years of superyacht experience across some of the industry's finest vessels, including M/Y Christina O (99m) and M/Y Alfa (70m). Holding qualifications up to 3000GT, he has extensive command experience in both private and charter operations throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and transatlantic routes.

Kyle's approach combines technical expertise with genuine hospitality, ensuring smooth operations while creating memorable experiences for guests. His background spans all aspects of yacht management—from navigation and safety to crew leadership and itinerary planning—with a focus on attention to detail and proactive problem-solving.

Beyond his maritime skills, Kyle's interests in technology, music, and world affairs make him an engaging presence aboard. His professional yet approachable style helps create a relaxed, refined atmosphere where guests feel well cared for and confident in every aspect of their voyage.

Name: Georgie Sellers
Nationality: British/South African
Position: Chief steward/ess
Position details: Full Time
Languages: Not specified
Description: Georgie joined the yachting industry in early 2012 after completing two years of study in Health & Skincare, initially seeing yachting as the perfect way to gain experience while travelling. Nearly 14 years later, her passion for the industry remains stronger than ever. She thrives on anticipating guest preferences and delivering seamless, personalised service—ensuring everything is in place before guests even have to ask.
Now an accomplished Chief Stewardess, Georgie brings strong leadership, excellent organisation, and a highly structured approach to her role, paired with a commitment to high-end service and meticulous attention to detail. Her career has allowed her to work across exceptional destinations including Indonesia, the Seychelles, and Iceland, broadening both her professional expertise and cultural experience.
Georgie has a genuine passion for creating seasonal cocktails and continually expanding her wine knowledge, including thoughtful food and wine pairing. Table décor and floral arrangements are her greatest creative outlets, where her eye for detail truly shines.
When not onboard, Georgie enjoys listening to music, reading, and staying active while exercising with her dog.

Name: Joseph Graham
Nationality: British
Position: Head Chef
Position details: Head Chef
Languages: Not specified
Description: Joe began his culinary career through a fine-dining apprenticeship, where he developed a strong foundation in classical techniques and the discipline required in professional kitchens. Early in his career he completed a stage at Alinea in Chicago (3 Michelin stars), an experience that greatly influenced his approach to creativity, precision and presentation.
After progressing to Sous Chef and gaining experience in Michelin-standard restaurants, Joe spent several seasons working in high-end Alpine chalets before becoming Head Chef at a restaurant in St Albans, a position he held for two and a half years.
With over 13 years of culinary experience and more than four years in yachting, Joe creates fresh, vibrant menus tailored to each charter, ensuring guests enjoy memorable dining throughout their time on board.

Name: Jazzmin Sonnekus
Nationality: South African
Position: Stewardess
Position details: Stewardess
Languages: Not specified
Description: Jazzmin is a friendly, bubbly and professional stewardess who brings a warm and welcoming atmosphere on board. Originally from the Netherlands, she developed her hospitality skills working in fine-dining service, where she learned the importance of attention to detail and delivering consistently high standards of guest care.
She loves creating a relaxed yet polished onboard experience, ensuring guests feel comfortable, well looked after, and able to fully enjoy their time on board.
Passionate about travel, meeting new people and creating memorable experiences, Jazzmin brings positive energy to the team and always aims to make every trip truly special for guests.

Name: May Koufou
Nationality: Greek/British
Position: Masseuse
Position details: Stewardess / Beauty & Wellness Specialist
Languages: Not specified
Description: May brings a warm, attentive presence to the interior team, with a background in physiotherapy and massage therapy, offering a wellness-focused guest experience. She specialises in deep tissue, sports massage, reflexology, lymphatic drainage, Swedish and Indian head massage, as well as facials, body treatments, and guided meditation.
A keen diver inspired by her sister and grandmother, both sailors, May has a natural love for life at sea. Originally from Rhodes, Greece, she enjoys salsa dancing, running, hiking, and weightlifting, and is always ready for a new adventure.

Name: Nicolas Miller
Nationality: British
Position: First Officer
Position details: Full Time
Languages: Not specified
Description: Nicholas Miller is an accomplished Chief Officer with extensive experience on yachts between 40 and 75 metres. Known for calm leadership and a meticulous approach to operations, he has worked across private and charter programs, long-range deliveries, and demanding commercial shipyard refits. He is highly skilled in navigation, watchkeeping, tender driving, ISM management, surveys, and supervising deck teams and contractors.

A hands-on and proactive officer, Nicholas frequently steps into command during captain’s leave and maintains a strong, professional onboard culture. His easygoing manner, strong work ethic, and ability to perform under pressure make him a valuable asset to any program. With his Master’s modules completed and oral exam approaching, he is well positioned for continued progression toward senior command roles.

Name: Ionel Zeca
Nationality: Romanian
Position: Engineer
Position details: Chief Engineer
Languages: Not specified
Description: Growing up along the banks of the Danube River in Brăila, Romania, Ionel was captivated from a young age by the sight of commercial ships gliding into port. While no one else in his family shared his fascination with the sea, he felt a clear calling and soon discovered a passion for the mechanical heart of these impressive vessels.
What began as curiosity quickly developed into a lifelong career. Ionel pursued studies in marine engineering and has now spent more than 35 years navigating the world’s oceans. His extensive experience spans a wide range of vessels, from commercial ships to luxury passenger liners, before ultimately finding his true home in the superyacht industry.
With deep technical knowledge, a calm and focused presence, and decades of hands-on expertise, Ionel ensures everything below deck runs smoothly—keeping the vessel safe, efficient, and ready for adventure.

Name: Carina Reynecke
Nationality: South African
Position: Chef
Position details: Sous Chef
Languages: Not specified
Description: Carina is a talented chef with experience in both professional kitchens and the yachting industry. Trained in culinary arts, pâtisserie and nutrition, she enjoys creating fresh, flavourful dishes inspired by international cuisine, with a focus on balanced and beautifully presented dishes.
Outside the galley, Carina enjoys rock climbing, swimming, hiking and diving, and likes to unwind by playing the ukulele and piano.

Name: Anthon Muller
Nationality: South African
Position: Chief engineer
Position details: Rotational
Languages: Not specified
Description: Anthon began his international career at 18 when he moved to the UK before returning to South Africa to train as a qualified electrician. After completing his technical training, he quickly progressed through the ranks of his regional electrical company, becoming Regional Supervisor by the age of 26.
Since joining the yachting industry in 2014, Anthon has cruised extensively throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Baltic and Pacific. With a strong technical background and calm, methodical approach, he ensures all onboard systems operate safely and smoothly for both owners and guests.
In his free time, Anthon enjoys free diving, golf, sports shooting and brewing his own craft beer.

Name: Ignas Useles
Nationality: Lithuanian
Position: Engineer
Position details: Second Engineer
Languages: Not specified
Description: Ignas is our exceptional second engineer onboard, with experience as a second engineer onboard 58M - 97M Super Yachts and 158M - 200M container carriers.
Ignas is from Lithuania and has a passion for traveling the world and learning about different cultures along the way. Ignas enjoys spending time with his family, participating in water sports and playing basketball.
Previous Yachts: M/Y Carinthia, M/Y Impromptu, M/Y Unbridled, M/Y Xpress Machu Picchu

Name: Vincent widestråle
Nationality: Swedish
Position: Deckhand
Position details: Full time Lead Deckhand
Languages: Not specified
Description: Vincent is a dedicated yacht professional who has been working with boats since the age of 11, with a lifelong passion for life on the water. He takes great pride in everything he does and is committed to delivering exceptional guest experiences while always maintaining the highest standards of safety.
With a strong background in water sports, skiing, and tender driving, Vincent brings excellent technical skills and confidence on the water. His experience and enthusiasm allow him to create fun, engaging, and memorable experiences for all guests on board.

Name: Julia Ebba Bergquist
Nationality: Swedish
Position: Stewardess
Position details: Stewardess
Languages: Not specified
Description: Julia brings a positive and reliable presence to the team, always ensuring guests feel well cared for on board. Originally from Sweden, she grew up spending much of her time outdoors, from skiing in the mountains to exploring the Swedish archipelago, shaping her active and adventurous lifestyle.
After finishing school, Julia sought a new challenge and found her path in the yachting industry. Now in her second season, she continues to deliver a high standard of service with enthusiasm and dedication.

Name: George Robert Emerson
Nationality: British
Position: Second Officer
Position details: Second Officer
Languages: Not specified
Description: George comes from Newcastle, a town in the North East of England. He joined the cadets where he discovered his passion for sailing and took part on a voyage to France on the tall ship T.S. Royalist. His career at sea was born when he enrolled in the merchant navy, aged 17, and sailed between China and Brazil. Transitioning away from commercial ships, he embarked on 2 Atlantic crossings on small sailing boats before making the leap onto yachts. Fast forward 6 years and George has completed his OOW 3000 and is continuing with his progression on deck as a 2nd Officer. George is a licensed jet ski instructor and is always up for anything active so is ready to jump in and help with activities at any moment.

Name: Derek Gary Parfitt
Nationality: South African
Position: Deckhand
Position details: Deckhand
Languages: Not specified
Description: Derek is a dedicated deckhand from coastal Cape Town with a strong background in construction, luxury hospitality, and watersports. Raised by a father who raced sailing yachts professionally, Derek developed a deep passion for the ocean early on. He’s committed to building a long-term career in yachting, with the goal of eventually advancing to captain or officer. Known for his strong work ethic, attention to detail, and ability to create exceptional guest experiences, Derek brings loads of enthusiasm to every role on deck, and takes pride in ensuring every guests need is met efficiently, and with a smile. When he's off duty, you can find him either hiking the mountains or enjoying time on the water.

Name: Tristan Najbicz
Nationality: South African
Position: Captain
Position details: Rotation Captain
Languages: Not specified
Description: South African-born and Mauritian-raised, Captain Tristan brings over 15 years of global yachting experience to M/Y Maraya. His career spans vessels from 35m to 115m, including six years aboard the 75m M/Y Cloudbreak, where he completed a full circumnavigation cruising destinations from Alaska and Antarctica to Asia and Northern Europe.

Growing up in Mauritius, Tristan developed a natural love for the ocean and is highly skilled in surfing, kitesurfing, wakeboarding and waterskiing — and enjoys teaching guests of all ages.

Calm, capable and charter-focused, Tristan combines world-class cruising knowledge with a warm, approachable leadership style. He has been part of the Maraya programme since December 2024.

Name: Kane Axton
Nationality: British
Position: Engineer
Position details: Second Engineer
Languages: Not specified
Description: Kane began his yachting career in 2022 before moving into commercial shipping to earn his Unlimited license. Since then, he has worked on a variety of vessels and traveled across multiple continents, building a strong and versatile engineering background. Kane is dedicated to ensuring the yachts operate safely, efficiently, and at their best. Outside of yachting, he runs his own fragrance company, which becomes his main focus when offboard. In his free time, he enjoys skiing and riding his motorbike.

Name: James Van Rooyen
Nationality: South African
Position: Deckhand
Position details: Deckhand
Languages: Not specified
Description: James is a 24-year-old deckhand from Cape Town, South Africa, with a strong passion for the ocean and an active outdoor lifestyle. Growing up by the coast, he developed a love for surfing, watersports, paddle and tennis, and brings that same energy and enthusiasm to life on board.
Dedicated to developing his maritime career, James is currently working towards obtaining his Yachtmaster qualification, continuing to build his skills and experience within the industry.
With a positive attitude and team-focused approach, James enjoys helping guests make the most of their time on the water while delivering a professional and friendly service on deck.

Name: Amy Jones
Nationality: British
Position: Stewardess
Position details: 2nd Stewardess
Languages: Not specified
Description: Amy is an experienced British Second Stewardess who entered the yachting industry after completing a Business Degree in the UK. Graduating during the pandemic, she chose to pursue a career at sea rather than follow a traditional 9–5 graduate path. Having grown up in the South of France and living close to the coast, her transition into yachting came naturally. Amy is bilingual and is always happy to welcome guests in both English and French.
With five years of yachting experience, Amy has developed extensive knowledge of interior operations while travelling widely and working on both sides of the Atlantic. On charter, she particularly enjoys creating a variety of table settings and decorations, as well as hosting themed evenings that add a fun and memorable touch to the onboard experience.
When not working, Amy loves relaxing on the beach, seeking out the best local coffee spots, and indulging her lifelong passion for horse riding whenever the opportunity arises, wherever her travels take her.