Captain: Leigh Love
Captain Leigh grew up in a small coastal town in South Africa, called Knysna. She was born with an adventurous spirit and has always loved the outdoors. She played provincial field hockey in high school and was an avid rock climber before her yachting career which she started 20 years ago. She met her Australian husband during her first year of yachting, he is also a yacht captain.
Leigh has cruised many areas of the world including the entire Eastern and Western coast of the US, the Adriatic, the Ionian Sea, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Grenadines, Bahamas and Baha Mexico in addition she has done at least 14 Atlantic crossings. Aside from being a successful charter captain she has been featured in a couple of articles, such as Voly’s “Successful Woman in yachting” and Dockwalk/Boat International Captain's Club spotlight .
First Officer: Duane Wheeler
Duane grew up in a small town in South Africa called Knysna. He began sailing as a young boy. He would sail on weekends as an extracurricular, so he wouldn’t have to spend his weekends at boarding school. After completing his final school year, Duane sailed the whole Pacific West Coast of America, starting from Alaska, all the way through to Panama.
This is where he got introduced to yachting. He then decided to pursue a career in the industry. He has been a chief officer for 4 years. Duane also has a passion for Scuba Diving, making the yachts an ideal place to be. He has dived in many incredible places across the world, such as Cocos Island in Costa Rica, The Secorro Islands in Mexico and the Barrier Reef & Blue Hole in Belize. His other hobbies include Endurocross, Fishing and Hunting.
Chef: Hindrigo "Kiko" Lorran
Kiko grew up in the south of Brazil, where his love for food and the ocean began. With over 15 years of experience — including nearly 8 years on superyachts — he brings passion, creativity, and warmth to every dish.
Having trained in a Michelin-starred restaurant and authored The Surfer’s Cookbook, Kiko’s cuisine blends Mediterranean and South American influences, always focused on freshness and flavor. Kiko’s love for fishing means not only will he catch you a fresh fish, he will
gladly serve it to you the same evening.
Outside the galley, he enjoys surfing, playing guitar, working out, and hiking — always seeking new inspiration for his next creation.
Chief Stewardess: Georgia Grobler
Georgia grew up in George, South Africa. She is not only Ocean Club’s Chief Stew, but also an RYT Yoga instructor, PADI Dive Master and our resident Jazz Singer. Meaning, not only will she teach you yoga at sunrise, she will gladly serenade you at sunset.
Prior to yachting, Georgia worked her way up in the hospitality industry, from waitress to event manager. She also modelled and worked in social media management. Her interests include reading, playing guitar and keeping fit & healthy. She is also a huge animal lover! With several years of experience in the yachting industry in both interior and exterior, Georgia is as well-rounded as they come, which makes her your go-to girl on board!
Second Stewardess: Nicole Skwara
Nicole grew up in Germany and moved to Cape Town, South Africa, shortly after finishing university. Before joining the yachting industry over six years ago, she worked in the corporate world as a high-value customer service coach and marketing professional, as well as a writer for a German lifestyle magazine.
Since then, her yachting career has taken her from the Mediterranean to the Caribbean on both private and charter yachts.
An ocean and mountain lover at heart, she enjoys surfing, freediving, hiking, and capturing her travels and underwater moments through photography.
Whether it’s a beach setup followed by a surf lesson, a golden-hour photoshoot, or a refreshing cocktail afterwards — Nicole has you covered!
Stewardess: Jayde Donaldson
Jayde was born in Durban, South Africa. She has dreamed of a life at sea since falling in love with the ocean at a young age, never missing an opportunity to be in the warm Durban waters. Joining the yachting industry was the best decision she ever made, as it fit perfectly with her adventurous spirit and desire to travel the world.
She has a strong passion for scuba diving and exploring marine life. Prior to yachting, Jayde studied graphic design and worked in hospitality for three years. She hopes to make use of her creativeness and passion in the yachting industry.
Rotational Chief Engineer: Uriel Meraz
Uriel was born in Mexico. He spent 4 years in a Merchant Marine Academy in Veracruz, Mexico. Following this, he pursued his career in engineering, having 18 years under his belt. He started out as a Junior engineer, and then built his way up to Chief Engineer. He has skills such as Project Management, Operationsb Management and Project Building - having had experience on all types of Ships and Vessels.
He enjoys running, dancing, singing, cooking, reading and DJ's from time to time as a side hobby. To Uriel, Family always comes first, and his crew are like family to him. You will always see Uriel Smiling, with his positive and outgoing demeanour. "If you bring a smile wherever you go, you will change the ambience in there".
Rotational Chief Engineer: Michael Pragnell
Born into a seafaring family, with his father being a Master Mariner on large commercial LNG Tankers, Michael seamlessly transitioned into a career in shipping and after attaining his commercial license, he jumped straight into the world of yachting and has since, over the course of seven years, immersed himself in his roles. Coming from a multicultural background of both East and West, Michael is socially adaptive, approachable and can banter with the best of them!
In Michael's downtime, he dabbles in illustration, design or anything creative that peaks his interest. He enjoys keeping active by way of powerlifting coupled with running or cycling. When home however, his ultimate peace is spending time with his tribe of four young children
Bosun: Brandon Zweers
Brandon grew up on the East coast of South Africa in a town called Umhlanga (pronounced “oom-laang-gah”). Here he spent most of his time by the ocean whether it was surfing, life saving, diving, fishing, spear fishing or picking up trash along the beach.
When the salt became too much, you would find him on the golf course trying to find his golf ball. Brandon has traveled many oceans like the Adriatic, Mediterranean, Atlantic and Caribbean seas. He also loves to tell a good dad joke.
Deck hand: Kristiaan Blom
Kristian was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. After finishing school, he then moved to the Western Cape to a small town called Hermanus. In his spare time, Kristian enjoys surfing. He also has a huge passion for golf.
Kristian started his career in yachting in 2019, being in the industry for 5 years. This is where his love for the ocean came about.
Deck hand: Kenneth Duncan
Kenneth is a South African that came over to the yachting industry after his brother suggested the idea. Before yachting, Kenneth studied Bcom business management and managed his family property business. He also helped manage the family guest house.
As a life long seafarer he has a love for the ocean. Growing up in a coastal town, he enjoys water sports and ocean adventure. His hobbies include almost all types of water sports, gymnastics, trampolines, fishing and he is never shy to try something new and exciting.
