Captain: Francisco Chadinha
CISCO GREW UP IN A SEASIDE VILLAGE IN SOUTH AFRICA. AT THE AGE OF 18, HE SET OFF ON HIS JOURNEY TO THE SOUTH OF FRANCE WHERE HIS YACHTING CAREER BEGAN. HE WORKED THE RANKS FROM BEING A DECKHAND TO AN EXPERIENCED CAPTAIN. HE IS AN EXCEPTIONALLY ACCOMPLISHED MASTER UNLIMITED YACHT CAPTAIN, WITH OVER 2 DECADES INDUSTRY EXPERIENCE. HE BELIEVES THE KEY INGREDIENT IN ANY SUCCESSFUL YACHT CHARTER IS TEAMWORK, AND NO ONE KNOWS IT BETTER THAN CISCO. HE BUILDS AND MOTIVATES HIGHLY SKILLED TEAMS, EXECUTING DAY TO DAY OPERATIONS TO A HIGH STANDARD. WITH PREVIOUS CONCIERGE EXPERIENCE GAINED THROUGH OWNERSHIP OF A LUXURY, BOUTIQUE HOTEL, HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT DELIVERING A SUPERIOR SAILING EXPERIENCE BY DRAWING UPON HIS SUPERB HOSPITALITY SKILLS TO OFFER A TRULY TAILORED SERVICE.
Captain - Rotational: Dylan Snowball
BORN AND RAISED IN THE SURFING TOWN OF EMEREALD BEACH (AUSTRALIA), DYLAN DEVELOPED A CLOSE RELATIONSHIP WITH THE OCEAN FROM A YOUNG AGE. HE EMBARKED ON HIS YACHTING CAREER IN 2011 AND HAS WORKED IN A VARETY OF ROLES RANGING FROM DECKHAND, CARPENTER, SHIPWRIGHT, SAILOR, CHASE BOAT CAPTAIN, CHIEF OFFICER AND NOW, CAPTAIN. HIS YACHTING EXPERIENCE IS VAST. HE STARTED ON BUSY CHARTER BOATS WHICH SAILED TO ALL CORNES OF THE MED, HE THEN WOUND UP BUYING A CLASSIC SAILBOAT WHICH HE RE-BUILT BEFORE SAILING IT ACROSS THE ATLANTIC TO EXPLORE THE CARIBBEAN. FROM HERE, HE COMPLETED HIS MASTER 3000 LICENSE AND HAS BEEN CAPTAINING LARGE MOTOR YACHTS EVER SINCE. IN HIS OFF TIME, HE ENJOYS SURFING, WOODWORKING AND IS A DEVOTED FAMILY MAN.
Chief Engineer - Rotational: Björn J Gudmundsson
BJORN GREW UP IN A TINY FISHING TOWN ON THE WEST COAST OF ICELAND AND WAS DESTINED TO BE A SAILOR. HE STARTED WORKING IN THE COMMERCIAL FISHING INDUSTRY, BOTH ON DECK AND IN THE ENGINE ROOM FROM THE RIPE AGE OF 15. THIS LED TO HIM GRADUATING WITH A DEGREE IN MARINE ENGINEERING EIGHT YEARS LATER. AFTER GRADUATION HE SPENT FOUR YEARS WORKING ON TRAWLERS, LONG LINERS, AND FERRIES WHILST TRAINING FOR HIS CHIEF ENGINEER UNLIMITED CERTIFICATION. IN 2007 HE DISCOVERED YACHTING AND HAS SPENT THE LAST 17 YEARS CRUISING THE WORLD’S OCEANS. BJORN LIVES IN BARCELONA AND IS MARRIED WITH THREE CHILDREN
Chief Engineer - Rotational: David Phillips
DAVID IS FROM A COASTAL TOWN IN NEW ZEALAND. HE STARTED WORKING ON FISHING VESSELS IN THE SOUTH PACIFIC AS A MARINE ENGINEER AND THEN ON PASSENGER FERRIES BEFORE YACHTS. HE HAS BEEN WORKING PROFESSIONALLY AT SEA FOR 23+ YEARS. HE COMPLETED HIS ENGINEERING STUDIES AND HOLDS A Y1 CHIEF ENGINEER LICENSE. DAVID REALLY ENJOYS FISHING, HIKING, AND WORKING ON OLD CARS. HE LIKES ATTENTION TO DETAIL, KEEPING SYSTEMS TO A HIGH LEVEL OF SAFETY, AND ALWAYS AIMS TO KEEP THE YACHT RUNNING LIKE “A SWISS WATCH”.
Second Engineer - Rotational: Michael Bishop
“MIKEY” WAS BORN IN SOUTH AFRICA, WHERE HE GREW UP SURROUNDED BY WATER & BECAME AN AVID SURFER & SWIMMER. HE LATER WORKED AS A MIXOLOGIST IN COCKTAIL BARS BEFORE LEAVING TO LONDON TO WORK FOR THE LONDON UNDERGROUND RAILWAY. AFTER FIVE YEARS IN THE UK & MISSING THE OCEAN HE MOVED TO FLORIDA TO BEGIN YACHTING. MIKEY STARTED AS A DECK HAND, QUICKLY FINDING HIS WAY TO THE ENGINE ROOM WHERE HE EXCELLED. ELEVEN YEARS LATER HE JOINS ROCK.IT AS AN EXTREMELY TALENTED ENGINEER PLANNING TO CONTINUE HIS EDUCATION DURING HIS FREE TIME. MIKEY RESIDES IN MALLORCA, SPAIN WITH HIS BEAUTIFUL WIFE, YOUNG SON & BABY GIRL. MIKEY CONSIDERS HIMSELF LUCKY TO WORK ON A ROTATION SCHEDULE ONBOARD ROCK.IT SO THAT HE CAN BE HOME AND SPEND TIME WITH HIS FAMILY.
Second Engineer - Rotational: Hector Figueroa
HECTOR WAS BORN AND GREW UP IN A FISHING VILLAGE SOUTH OF CATALUNYA, SPAIN. ALWAYS IN CONTACT WITH THE SEA, HE DECIDED TO STUDY MARINE ENGINEERING TO KEEP THE CONNECTION. AFTER SEVEN YEARS OF STUDY HE STARTED HIS ADVENTURE ON MERCHANT BOATS AND MOVED ONTO YACHTS IN 2014 AFTER A SHORT PERIOD WORKING IN MB12 SHIPYARD. HECTOR HAS LIVED IN BARCELONA SINCE 2006.
IF YOU CANT FIND HECTOR IN THE ENGINE ROOM - HE’LL MOST LIKELY BE COOKING UP THE BEST SPANISH TORTILLA YOU’VE EVER TRIED
Chief Officer - Rotational: Fish Venter
FISH GREW UP IN THE FREE STATE, SOUTH AFRICA. HE STARTED IN THE INDUSTRY IN 2016, AND HAS WORKED UP THE RANKS SERVING 6+ YEARS ONBOARD ROCK.IT. FISH IS DRIVEN TO COMPLETE HIS MASTERS 3000 TICKET WITHIN THE NEXT YEAR. HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT COMPETING IN TRIATHLONS AROUND THE WORLD, WHILST BEING A CYCLING AND RUNNING ENTHUSIAST. WHENEVER TIME PRESENTS ITSELF, FISH TENDS TO FIND HIMSELF ON THE FIRST TEEBOX, AND ENJOYS A ROUND OF GOLF WITH MATES.
Chief Officer - Rotational: Jenny Matthews
HAILING FROM NEW ZEALAND AND GROWING UP IN AND AROUND THE OCEAN,
JENNY HAS SALT IN HER VEINS. WHAT SHE LACKS IN HEIGHT, SHE MAKES UP FOR
IN ENTHUSIASM. WITH OVER 10 YEARS IN THE YACHTING INDUSTRY, JENNY
BRINGS HER PASSION FOR THE WATER, DIVING AND PERSONAL TRAINING TO HER
ROLE ONBOARD. IN ADDITION TO BEING A CHIEF OFFICER, JENNY RUNS LEGASEA,
AN INDUSTRY MENTORING PROGRAM DESIGNED TO SUPPORT DRIVEN CREW IN
DEVELOPING THIER CAREERS. TO RELAX AND UNWIND, YOU WILL FIND HER
HIKING, EXPLORING AND SALSA DANCING HER WAY AROUND THE WORLD.
Second Officer: Luke Chalupsky
LUKE WAS BORN AND EDUCATED IN DURBAN, SOUTH AFRICA & IS NOW
BASED IN PORTO, PORTUGAL. WITH LUKE’S LOVE FOR WATER IT WAS AN EASY TRANSITION FROM LAND TO LIFE ON THE SEA & HE HASN’T LOOKED BACK SINCE .LUKE HAS BEEN IN THE
INDUSTRY FOR 8 YEARS AND HAS WORKED ON VESSELS RANGING FROM 30M –
100M. LUKE HAS RECENTLY OBTAINED HIS CHIEF MATES TICKET AND GOALS SET
ON COMPLETING HIS MASTERS TICKET IN THE FUTURE.
LUKE IS FRIENDLY AND APPROACHABLE PERSON WHO LOVES TO INTERACT
WITH THE GUESTS. HE IS A GREAT LISTENER AND ALWAYS MAKES SURE THAT
THE GUESTS NEEDS ARE MET. HE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT THIS WORK AND
TAKES PRIDE IN PROVIDING THE BEST EXPERIENCE ONBOARD.
FUN FACT LUKE WAS ONBOARD ROCK.IT IN 2022 AND RETURNS TO JOIN THE
AMAZING ONCE AGAIN.
Deckhand: Daniel Butti
DANIEL WAS BORN IN SWITZERLAND BUT RAISED IN SOUTH AFRICA, NEXT TO THE OCEAN. DANIEL ENJOYS STAYING ACTIVE THROUGH MIXED MARTIAL ARTS AND SKATEBOARDING. HIS YACHTING CAREER BEGAN IN 2023 AND HE SEES HIMSELF DEDICATING MANY YEARS TO THE INDUSTRY TO ONE DAY BECOME CAPTAIN.
Chef - Rotational: Fabiana Navarro
FABI WAS BORN IN VENEZUELA, AND A SHOWED PASSION FOR GASTRONOMY AT A
YOUNG AGE. SHE WAS INSPIRED BY HER GRANDMOTHER. FABIANAS PROFESSIONAL
CAREER STARTED AT THE AGE OF 17, AFTER A FEW YEARS OF STUDYING AND WORKING
TO BECOME A CHEF. AT 21, FABIANA MOVED TO BARCELONA WHERE SHE WENT TO A
WORLD-RENOWNED HOSTELRY SCHOOL FOR THREE YEARS, TEACHING HER THE
HIGHEST GASTRONOMY TECHNIQUES FROM EVERYWHERE IN THE WORLD. AFTER
EXTENSIVE TRAINING IN RESTAURANTS, SHE MADE THE JUMP TO THE YACHTING
WORLD. SHE PRIDES HERSELF FOR HER WIDE RANGE OF COOKING STYLES AND
FLAVOURS.
Chief Stewardess - Rotational: Emma Smith
EMMA GREW UP IN AUSTRALIA, ALONG THE BEAUTIFUL COASTLINE OF BYRON BAY. AFTER STUDYING BUSINESS AND EVENTS, SHE TOOK A ‘GAP YEAR’ TO TRAVEL AROUND EUROPE. THIS DROVE HER TO PURSUE A CAREER IN YACHTING IN 2018. EMMA FELL IN LOVE WITH EXPLORING NEW CULTURES, TASTING DIFFERENT CUISINES, AND LIVING A DIFFERENT LIFESTYLE. SHE JOINED ROCK.IT AS A JUNIOR STEWARDESS IN 2020, AND IS DRIVEN TO CONTINUE GROWING WITH THE PROGRAM. IF SHE ISN’T TRAVELLING, YOU’LL FIND HER AT HER LOCAL BEACH, TRYING OUT A NEW PILATES STUDIO OR COOKING UP A WHOLESOME MEAL.
Chief Stewardess(Rotational): Taylor Browne
GROWING UP IN A SMALL TOWN IN NEW ZEALAND, TAYLOR ALWAYS DREAMED OF EXPLORING THE WORLD AND ALL IT’S WONDERS, BUT SHE NEVER IMAGINED THAT IT WOULD BE EXPERIENCED FROM BEING OUT AT SEA. TAYLOR HAS BEEN IN THE YACHTING INDUSTRY SINCE 2016 AND LOVES ALL ASPECTS THAT IT HAS TO OFFER. IN HER DOWN TIME, SHE FINDS JOY IN THE SIMPLE THINGS IN LIFE SUCH AS COOKING, READING, BEING OUTDOORS AND CONNECTING WITH LIKE-MINDED PEOPLE. TAYLOR’S CALM AND EASY GOING NATURE, MAKES HER THE PERFECT ADDITION TO THE ROCK.IT TEAM.
2nd Stewardess: Amy Oliver
AMY GREW UP SOUTH OF THE UK IN A LITTLE TOWN CALLED BOURNEMOUTH WHICH SITS RIGHT ON THE COASTLINE. ESCAPING THE COLD, AMY MOVED TO AUSTRALIA, WHERE SHE HONED HER SKILLS IN MIXOLOGY AND HIGH-END SERVICE WHILE WORKING IN PRESTIGE VENUES AND LIVELY BARS. BEFORE HER TRAVELS, SHE SPENT A FEW YEARS STUDYING LUXURY MAKEUP, FURTHER DEVELOPING HER EYE FOR DETAIL AND CREATIVITY.
WITH YEARS OF EXPERIENCE ON THE WATER, SHE EXCELS IN CREATING A POSITIVE ATMOSPHERE FOR BOTH GUESTS AND CREW. AMY'S COMMITMENT ENSURES A HAPPY AND EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCE FOR ALL ONBOARD.
3rd Stewardess: Emilia Clara Banks
EMELIA GREW UP IN THE CHESHIRE COUNTRYSIDE IN THE UK. GROWING UP IN A SMALL VILLAGE SHE WAS EAGER TO BROADEN HER HORIZONS AND SEE MORE OF WHAT THE WORLD HAS TO OFFER. AFTER FINDING A PASSION IN HOSPITALITY EMELIA WAS DRIVEN TO FUEL IT BY JOINING THE YACHTING INDUSTRY. SHE STARTED CHEERLEADING AT THE AGE OF NINE YEARS OLD, WHICH SOON PROGRESSED TO COACHING AND PARTICIPATING INTERNATIONALLY AT THE WORLD CHAMPIONSHIP IN FLORIDA. EMILIA LOVES LEARNING ALL THINGS WINE AND RECENTLY COMPLETED HER WSET LEVEL 2.
4th Stewardess: Frankie Kelley
FRANKIE IS A TRUE LONDONER AT HEART WITH A DIVERSE BACKGROUND IN BOTH CORPORATE AND YACHTING SECTORS. THIS MARKS HER SECOND SEASON IN THE YACHTING INDUSTRY, FOLLOWING A SUCCESSFUL STINT ABOARD A FEADSHIP THAT TOURED THE MEDITERRANEAN. SHE GAINED EXPERIENCE IN THE FASHION INDUSTRY AND EVENT MANAGEMENT, WHERE SHE WAS RESPONSIBLE FOR ORGANISING HIGH-LEVEL CORPORATE EVENTS.
FRANKIE ENJOYS SPENDING HER TIME IN SOUTHERN SPAIN WITH HER FAMILY AND EXPLORING EUROPE WITH FRIENDS DURING HER OFF TIME.
5th Stewardess: Lana Dutton
HAVING GROWN UP IN A CITY THAT WAS LANDLOCKED, LANA SPENT NEARLY ALL HOLIDAYS CLOSE TO THE OCEAN. SHE JOINS US FOR HER FIRST SEASON IN YACHTING AND AFTER WORKING IN A CELLAR DOOR FOR A BOUTIQUE NZ WINERY SHE DECIDED THAT TRANSFERRING HER SKILLS TO YACHTING WAS WHAT SHE WANTED TO PURSUE. LANA ENJOYS HAVING PEOPLE AROUND HER AND VALUES THE UNIQUE WAY OF FORMING FRIENDSHIPS AND PROVIDING GROWTH THAT YACHTING OFFERS. IN HER SPARE TIME YOU CAN FIND HER GLUED TO A BOOK, CATCHING UP WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND TRYING HARD TO SATISFY HER SWEET TOOTH THROUGH BAKING.
