Captain: Jason Bacon
Previous Yachts: M/Y SMERALDA (253ft) Dubai and Worldwide itinerary, M/Y ONE OFF (201ft), M/Y One More Toy (157ft)
Jason started his life on the water at the age of 5 racing small sailing dinghies. After racing for a number of years he taught these skills at the Olympic sailing school in Wales. At the school, he passed his Master of Yachts unlimited and with such credentials was able to join the Americas Cup Yacht, Stars & Stripes. With a passion for travel working on super yachts seemed a natural progression. Since then he has worked on multiple yachts and has 17 years of experience in the industry. As a captain, he oversees every aspect of the yacht’s operations ensuring safety at all times and a comfortable cruising experience. He is adept at crew relations, continually maintaining a strong team environment to create the most memorable and service-oriented experience for the guests. Hobbies include: Free diving, wake boarding, sailing and kayaking
Chief Engineer (Rotation): Pedro Diaz Rocha
Previous Yachts: 164’ Tsumat, 108’ Narvalo, 100’ Indigo, 95’ Bella luna
Pedro was born in Nayarit Mexico but settled in Mazatlan, Mexico, known as the pearl of the Mexican pacific. He spent 4 years in merchant marine school and graduated in 2016. He then started his internship in a tuna purse seine fishing vessel traveling to the western pacific and south America after he got his engineering ticket. Pedro moved into the yachting industry in 2019.
Hobbies: jogging, playing soccer
Captain (Rotation): Peter Martin
Previous Yachts: Arioso (130’), Lady J (142’), Unforgettable (100’), Mystic (150’)
Born and raised in Johannesburg, Peter spent his vacations on the Cape, where he found his love for the ocean. After finishing high school, Peter decided to try his hand in the service industry and began working in fine-dining restaurants. After spending his early hospitality years overseeing the operations of various restaurants and nightclubs, he decided to venture into ownership with his childhood friend, and they found themselves opening a Portuguese restaurant called ‘Cescos’. After 4 years of growing his business, Pete decided to explore his ever-growing interest in the yachting industry and moved to South Florida. After 3 years working his way up, Peter proceeded to Captain several successful charter boats, such as ‘Arioso’, ‘Unforgettable’, ‘Lady J’ and ‘Mystic’. He holds his MCA Master 3000 and has been running motor yachts for the last 14 years, traveling extensively along the East Coast of the US, Bahamas, Caribbean and Mediterranean. He is extremely competent, enthusiastic, and loves utilizing his hospitality background and hidden talents on charter. When Pete is not onboard, he can be found scratching beats on his DJ decks, cycling through South Florida or facetiming his pet Frenchie, Dave. Pete has a vast knowledge of yachting and chartering and is more than eager to create a safe and memorable vacation for all onboard M/Y FAR NIENTE.
Hobbies: Surfing, fishing and SCUBA diving
Chief Engineer (rotation): Marco Tostado
Previous Yachts: Fountainhead (288’), El Rey (115’), Moon Goddess (115’)
Marco was Born in Tampico, Mexico. But settled in Mazatlan Mexico. Well known as a quaint fishing town with great seafood, he lives there with his family. After four years spent at Merchant Marine School he graduated in 2015. After a one year internship on large vessels traveling around the Pacific side of Mexico and South America and the Pacific Ocean Marco was given the opportunity to work as engineering Officer on the 930ft Carnival Horizon. After 4 years in the cruise industry it was an easy sidestep into yachting and natural progression.
Hobbies: Working Out, Chess and Reading.
First Mate: Laura Mound
Previous Yachts: M/Y 4Leon (108ft), M/Y MiBowt (86ft)
Growing up in the beach town of Durban, South Africa sparked Laura’s love and respect of the ocean. She has always been an adventure chaser, pursuing all types of sports that involve a board; from skating to surfing to snowboarding. Her need for adventure led her to her ideal career in yachting where she is able to explore new places, experience new cultures and find adventure in everyday life. In her spare time you will find her spending time with family or chasing the perfect wave.
Hobbies: skateboarding, surfing and gaming
Chef (Rotation): Paul Citatello
Previous Yachts: M/Y Eclipse (538ft) Worldwide Itinerary, M/Y Luna (377ft), M/Y Ebony Shine (249ft) M/Y Yalla (252ft)
Paul is originally from the cosmopolitan city of Cape Town, South Africa. Being from Cape Town gave him tremendous love and respect for the ocean. He worked in top Restaurants and Hotels in South Africa, Australia and London for 10 years, then joined the Yachting industry in order to fulfil his wanderlust and passion for travel. Paul loves exploring local markets, sourcing the freshest local ingredients to showcase his culinary knowledge. He has 16 year’s experience in the industry and is looking forward to welcoming you onboard Far Niente.
Hobbies: Surfing, Golf, Tennis & Hiking.
Chef (Rotation): Rico Haring
Previous Yachts: Mimi la Sardine (34m), Tatii (42m), Elysium I (34m), Tender To (27m), Good Year (30m), Lady Sharon Gale (33m)
Born in South Africa, Rico moved to Switzerland when he was 5 years old, where he lived for 15 years. Shortly after receiving his diploma from the culinary institute Lausanne, he decided it was time to expand and start his career as a qualified chef. Rico followed his passion for food around the world, working in many European countries as well as
Brazil, Tokyo and Australia to name just a few. He was driven by this untameable hunger and constant need to discover new flavours and spices within different cultures. Once Rico discovered the yachting industry, there was no looking back, he eventually found himself working on mega yachts in the Caribbean. He has resided on the Caribbean Island of St-Martin for 12 years, where he is happily married. Rico is happy to share his knowledge and passion for the culinary arts with his guests should they wish to ask for him it not only about being a chef and preparing meals, it’s way more than that. It’s a lifestyle, taking the best of what Mother Earth provides him with, in all its beauty, adding his knowledge, passion heart and soul and creating exceptional cuisine.
Hobbies: Creating Jewellery, Diving, Surfing, Kiteboarding, Wakeboarding, Hiking
Ask Rico “what is your profession?” He will say: “I am a food artist".
Chief Stewardess: Marlena Drandic
Previous Yachts: MY G3, MY Lionshare, MY Nero, MY DynaR, MY Rahil
Marlena was born and raised in Croatia. After finishing nursing highschool she got a degree in Physiotherapy and started working as a Physioterapist in a rehabilitation and thalassotherapy clinic for patients with different physical disabilities. In the meantime she got a degree as a lecturer in physiotherapy and she played guitar and sang in a local band. She enjoyed her jobs a lot, but always felt like something was missing, and then she got into yachting. Now, after 10 years in the yachting industry Marlena is loving the fact she can combine her passion for travel, fine dining and luxury hospitality with her work. Her bartending and barista exerience, the fact she speaks various languages, her outgoing personality and organising skills make her great in her chief stewardess role.
Hobbies: yoga, music, reading, hiking, dancing.
2nd Stewardess: Gorana Sabic
Previous Yachts: G3(44m), LionShare(39m), Nero(90m)
Gorana was born in Sinj, town in Dalmatia. After finishing school to become a Dental tehnician, she went on to study Business Economics where she got her Bachelor degree. Shortly after, she pursued her love for traveling, discovered yachting and has been there for 8 years now. She has a bubbly, friendly personality which makes her a great addition to the Far Niente crew.
Hobbies: traveling, reading, hiking, working out
Deck Stewardess: Nicola Smal
Previous Yachts: M/Y Lind (171ft), M/Y After 8II (86ft), M/Y Gremat (88ft), M/Y 4Leon (108ft)
Nicola was born and raised in Durban, South Africa. After completing her Hospitality and Tourism Diplomas in Dublin, Ireland she moved back home to pursue a career in Hospitality Management but instead found yachting and immediately fell in love with it. She has worked in the Mediterranean for the past four years and is eager to pursue her career in the US. Nicola spends her free time at the beach and exploring local cuisines.
Hobbies: yoga, skateboarding and crosswords
