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: Mitch King
MITCH GREW UP IN A SEASIDE TOWN IN ENGLAND, UK. HE WORKED AS A LIFEGUARD FOR 6 YEARS BEFORE DECIDING TO STUDY MARINE ENGINEERING AT A MARITIME COLLEGE. MITCH HAS WORKED ON OIL TANKERS AND PASSENGER SHIPS BEFORE JOINING THE YACHTING INDUSTRY IN 2020; WHICH HAS GIVEN HIM THE EXPERIENCE NEEDED TO PROGRESS HIS STUDIES FURTHER. FROM A YOUNG AGE MITCH HAS BEEN A KEEN SPORTS FAN - PARTICULARLY FOOTBALL AND SQUASH - AND IS AN AVID FAN OF ARSENAL F.C.
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: Laurie Meintjies
LAURIE GREW UP IN SOMERSET, WEST SOUTH AFRICA, AND ATTENDED A LARGE
ALL-BOYS SPORTS SCHOOL. LAURIE BEGAN HIS SEAFARING CAREER AS A
CATAMARAN CAPTAIN IN INDONESIA, FOR WHICH HE SPENT TWO YEARS. HE
LOVED WORKING ON THE WATER AND THUS COMMITTED TO BUILDING A CAREER
IN THE PROFESSIONAL YACHTING INDUSTRY. LAURIE ENJOYS ALL TYPES OF
OUTDOOR ACTIVITIES – FROM SKYDIVING TO UNDERWATER DIVING, HIKING AND
EXPLORING, TO PURVEYING LOCAL ARTS, MUSIC, AND DISTILLED SPIRITS.
Bosun: Jules Lincoln
JULES WAS RAISED IN MALAYSIA, DURING WHICH HE SPENT TIME SAILING WITH HIS PARENTS, HENCE HIS LOVE FOR THE OCEAN. AFTER GRADUATING WITH A MASTER’S DEGREE IN MARINE ENGINEERING, HE STARTED OFF HIS SHORESIDE CAREER AS A NAVAL ARCHITECT WORKING IN CONTAINER SHIPPING AND NEW BUILD OPERATIONS IN CHINA AND FRANCE. AFTER A SIX MONTH BREAK SAILING HIS SMALL SAILBOAT AROUND THE MEDITERRANEAN HE DECIDED TO KEEP THE BALL ROLLING AND CONTINUE HIS CAREER AT SEA. JULES LOVES KEEPING ACTIVE IF HIS NOT TRYING NEW WATER SPORTS, HE’LL BE SHREDDING THE SLOPES IN THE FRENCH ALPS.
Deckhand: Dillon Slier
DILLON WAS BORN IN CAPE TOWN, SOUTH AFRICA & AT THE AGE OF 12 MOVED TO A SMALL TOWN CALLED SASOLBURG. GROWING UP NEXT TO THE VAAL RIVER, DILLON WOULD SPEND HIS WEEKENDS WAKEBOARDING. DILLONS DREAM IS TO FOLLOW IN HIS FATHERS FOOTSTEPS, WHO ALSO WORKED ON YACHTS & TO EXPLORE THE WORLD. DILLON IS IN THE PROCESS OF COMPLETING HIS DIVE MASTERS & IS PLANNING TO DO HIS YACHT MASTERS COURSE THIS YEAR. DILLON FEELS PRIVILEGED TO BE ON ROCK.IT & TO BE PART OF SUCH AN AMAZING TEAM.
Deckhand: Harvey Clarke
HARVEY GREW UP IN BATH, ENGLAND & ALTHOUGH A FEW HOURS DRIVE FROM THE SEA, HE HAS ALWAYS HAD A PASSION FOR THE OCEAN. AFTER GRADUATING UNIVERSITY WITH A BUSINESS MANAGEMENT DEGREE IN 2021, HE DECIDED TO JOIN YACHTING. SO FAR HE HAS CIRCUMNAVIGATED THE WORLD, TRAVELING TO DESTINATIONS SUCH AS SOUTH EAST ASIA & ANTARCTICA. IN HARVEYS DOWNTIME, HE LOVES TO HIKE & EXPLORE THE DESTINATIONS HE IS ALREADY IN. HARVEY USED TO COMPETE IN MOTOCROSS, ALTHOUGH NOW ENJOYS A LONG CYCLE OR (NOT AS LONG) RUN! WITHIN THE NEXT COUPLE YEARS HARVEY PLANS TO LEAVE YACHTING & MOVE TO LONDON TO BEGIN A CAREER WITHIN MANAGEMENT CONSULTANCY.
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.
Sous Chef: Brenna Lee
BRENNA IS FROM THE FAMOUS WINE AND PRODUCE REGION OF HAWKES BAY IN
AOTEAROA. GROWING UP MĀORI (INDIGENOUS PERSON OF NEW ZEALAND)
BRENNA HAS BEEN TAUGHT TO LIVE FROM THE EARTH AND SEA. SHE LOVES TO
SPEND HER TIME OUTDOORS HIKING OR SWIMMING. BRENNA'S FOOD VALUES
ALIGN WITH HER HERITAGE, SHE WAS PRIVILEGED WITH AMAZING PRODUCE AND
FRESH SEAFOOD FROM OUTINGS ON HER FAMILY'S BOAT. SHE VALUES THE
CONCEPT OF MANAAKITANGA (THE ART OF HOSPITALITY) AND COOKS FROM THE
HEART.
Chief Stewardess - Rotational: Tayla Mckenzie
LIVING IN AUSTRALIA CLOSE TO THE BEACH, TAYLA HAS ALWAYS FELT AT HOME WHEN SHE IS NEAR THE SALTWATER. TAYLA’S CURIOSITY FOR TRAVELLING, IS WHAT LEAD HER TO LIVE IN THE SOUTH OF FRANCE IN HER EARLY TWENTIES. THIS INTRODUCED HER TO THE YACHTING INDUSTRY. WORKING ON YACHTS HAS ALLOWED TAYLA TO TRAVEL THE WORLD, MEET LIFELONG FRIENDS AND GROW AS A PERSON BOTH PERSONALLY AND PROFESSIONALLY IN PROFOUND WAYS. LEADING THE TEAM ONBOARD IS ONE OF HER BIGGEST JOYS AS SHE IS A PART OF HELPING OTHERS GROW. THE FUTURE ONBOARD ROCK.IT EXCITES HER WITH ENDLESS ADVENTURES.
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.
Second Stewardess: 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.
Steardess: Charlotte Forbes
BORN IN NEW ZEALAND AND MOVING AT A YOUNG AGE TO FRANCE, CHARLOTTE HAS AN EQUAL LOVE FOR THE OCEAN AND THE VINEYARDS. IN HER FREE TIME, CHARLOTTE ENJOYS TRIATHLONS, PILATES AND WINE TASTINGS. CHARLOTTE WAS IN MEDICAL SCHOOL FOR THREE YEARS BEFORE DECIDING TO JOIN YACHTING. AS DIFFERENT AS IT MIGHT APPEAR, SHE TRANSFERS HER WORK ETHIC AND POSITIVE MINDSET SKILLS LEARNT DURING THESE YEARS TO YACHTING. HAVING WORKED ON YACHTS FOR TWO YEARS NOW, CHARLOTTE IS FALLING EVEN DEEPER IN LOVE WITH THE OCEAN AND PLANS ON SETTLING IN THIS INDUSTRY. CHARLOTTE IS PASSIONATE ABOUT CREATING BEAUTIFUL FLOWER ARRANGEMENTS AND MIXING NEW COCKTAILS.
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.
Stewardess: Alexandra Medina
BORN AND RAISED NEAR THE MOUNTAINS IN CANADA, ALEX SPENT A LOT OF TIME OUTDOORS DOING ACTIVITIES LIKE HIKING AND SKIING. AFTER TRAVELING SOLO AROUND EUROPE FOR 3 MONTHS, SHE FELL IN LOVE WITH SPAIN AND MOVED ABROAD TO BECOME AN ENGLISH TEACHER. SHE DISCOVERED HER PASSION FOR SURFING AND THE OCEAN AFTER TAKING MULTIPLE SURF CAMPS IN SPAIN, PORTUGAL, AND INDONESIA. RECENTLY, SHE JOINED THE YACHTING INDUSTRY AND FELL IN LOVE WITH BEING AT SEA AND GAINING INVALUABLE EXPERIENCES. ALEX LOVES ALL THINGS BEAUTY AND HAS A CERTIFICATION IN CLASSIC EYELASH EXTENSIONS. IN THE FUTURE, SHE HOPES TO TAKE HER YOGA TEACHER TRAINING TO BE ABLE TO SHARE HER LOVE FOR YOGA WITH THE GUESTS.
