Captain: Nick Bull
With 13 years experience as a Private/ Charter Captain, Nick has belief in his ability to manage and
execute a successful charter and associated operations with effective planning and implementation
with proportionate focus on safety and standards. His strengths are problem solving and the ability
to assemble and bond a team capable of offering first rate attentive service. Captain Nick
possesses good all around communication skills and a friendly approach, resulting in a warm
welcome on board Amica Mea.
Chief Engineer: James Bourne
Born 1973 in London, UK, James started his engineering career studying motor mechanics at school.
After leaving school, he continued to study mechanical engineering, working for a major accident
repair company and became a fully qualified diesel fitter. After completing his apprenticeship,
James worked as an engineer on the inland waterways of Europe for 8yrs. He then returned to study
Marine Engineering and has been serving as Chief Engineer on yachts for 20yrs. When James is not
working, he is building race bikes that he races for fun. He also loves kite surfing, traveling and
being at home with family.
Chief Officer: Kylie Potgieter
Kylie was born and raised in South Africa. Growing up in and near the water, she became an avid
fisher as well as a surfing instructor and competition judge for 7 years. After sailing around Cape
Town as a teenager she decided to join yachting and make a career of it. She enjoys an adventure
and is always looking for new things to do on her time off. After many enjoyable years in the
industry, she looks forward to being able to share the experience with others.
Bosun: Ilanda Bothma
Ilanda is a South African lady, born and raised. After completion of her Bachelors degree in Logistics
Management, and a couple of years in corporate life, she followed her adventurous spirit and love
for the ocean to join the yachting industry in 2017. She has a passion for people, cultures, food, and
traveling. Her family taught her to love all aspects of nature and what it has to offer. She enjoys
outdoor activities and keeps busy hiking, running, diving, and anything that gives an adrenaline
rush. She describes yachting to be the perfect way to combine her passions and the possibility to
share the joy of it with others.
Deckhand: Marcus Massyn
Marcus is an Afrikaans South African. He is a fun-loving individual that loves outdoor activities like
fishing and scuba diving. He loves cracking a joke every now and then, but when it’s time to work, he
puts in his best efforts always. His family comes from the hospitality industry, and he has personally
been working in hospitality for four years. He hopes you enjoy your time on board.
Deckhand: Jakub Zajicek
Jakub was born in the Czech Republic in a small spa city. From a young age, he did a lot of sports,
from freshwater fishing, mountain biking, and athletics to tennis. Jakub is very active, energetic,
and always keen on any adventure. He also finds joy in traveling, photography, fitness, and hiking. If
something involves adrenalin, you’ll find him there. Growing up in a hospitality environment taught
him a good work ethic, and he started working at fifteen years old. At nineteen, he moved to
Australia to learn English and gain experience in the world, where he fell in love with surfing and
travel culture. Jakub is thrilled to have discovered the yachting industry and he is ready to provide
his best services and to help make unforgettable memories for you.
Chief Steward: Zac Lukic
Zac was born and raised in. Croatia. He developed a passion for traveling when started working at
sea in 2013 onboard luxury cruise lines as a butler and traveled around the world twice including
Antarctica and the northwest passage. Zac then came into the super yacht industry 5 years ago
working on charter yachts. He loves the fact that the industry allows him to experience some of the
most wonderful places in the world. In spare time he enjoys hiking and spending time outdoors.
Second Stew: Sarah Allan
Sarah grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa. After completing her degree, she treated herself to a
Eurotrip and developed a passion for travelling and meeting people. Upon immigrating to
Australia, she settled in Cairns on the Great Barrier Reef. With an established background in
hospitality and customer service, she enjoyed sharing her passion for the ocean through diving and
tourism. She joined the yachting industry working around Australia and Tasmania before continuing
on to the Mediterranean and Caribbean Seas. She is highly interested in history and the environment
and enjoys immersing herself in different cultures and culinary delights around the world. Sarah
hopes to swim one day with Tiger sharks in Hawaii and complete part of the Pacific Crest Trail.
Deckhand: Adrian Doedenvans
Adrian is a born South African, but has lived in Austria, Spain, and Portugal for the past 16 years. He
has 6 years of experience in the hospitality industry and 6 years in yachting. During this time, he has
gained excellent organizational skills and patience along with a strong work ethic and a good
attitude towards guests and fellow crew members.
Chef: Dave Talling
Chef Dave is an experienced, creative, and passionate chef with over 23 years of experience. He
became a Red Seal Chef in 2002 and trained under French Chef Pierre Koffel, in Victoria B.C Canada
where he was born. After learning the tricks of the trade, he took his experience and love for food to
work in several different countries including Bermuda, Fiji and Australia before making the move into
yachting. Dave has been a chef aboard yachts for the past 11 years. As a yacht chef, Dave has
traveled around the globe docking in 22 countries, while creating stunning meals each day for
owners and charterers. Growing up on the West Coast of Canada was key to his success in
specializing in seafood. One can truly appreciate the delicacy of fresh seafood when you have spent
your childhood digging clams on the beach and hauling crab traps from the dock with your dad.
Dave’s love for the ocean has carried on his throughout life, little did he know he had been raised
with an “ocean to table” cooking style that has influenced his career. When not in the kitchen, he
loves deep-sea fishing, fly fishing and salmon fishing and will spend all his free time doing so. His
world travels have only fed his passion for both fishing and food. An avid traveler, with the ability to
make the most of every situation, Dave’s passion of wildlife photography enables him to take
advantage of the many sites he has seen in the 34 countries he has visited throughout his career.
