Captain: Ben Webb
Ben began his seagoing career in 1993 as a cadet on offshore oil and survey vessels. Over the next few years he worked on various types of vessels including tankers, cruise ships, cable laying and technical diving vessels, ultimately attaining a commercial Master’s license.
Ben moved over to yachts in 2003 and has worked on various high-profile yachts including Octopus, Tatoosh and Ecstasea, where he took his first command in 2008. Ben loves scuba diving, cycling and reading, and is currently restoring a Victorian house.
He also has a passion for classic cars and is in the process of restoring a rare 1970’s Maserati.
Captain (Rotational): Dimitris Tzikas
Dimitris is a graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy of Aspropyrgos. He holds Captain Class A’ Diploma, and has also attended many marine seminars.
He is married, and he has two children. Dimitris served in the navy as an Officer and has worked for eight years on commercial cargo vessels. In 2009 he brought his knowledge and experience in the yachting industry, working as Chief Officer and as Captain on charter motor yachts. Dimitris is certified by P.A.D.I. as a rescue diver, has a very pleasant character, is willing, and he loves the sea.
Dimitris has worked on previous vessels such as M/Y Dragon, M/Y Obsession, M/Y O’Rama as well as M/Y Mia Rama.
His interests include scuba diving, travelling, football and cinema.
Chief Officer (Rotational): Flemming Eliasen
Flemming grew up in the Faroe Islands, in the North Atlantic Ocean. The ocean has always been a big part of Flemming’s life, as all his family are seafarers or fishermen. Since 2015 Flemming has been living in a small quiet town outside Vancouver, Canada with his partner and young son.
He began his Maritime Career in 1999 as a Dual Cadet and graduated as an Officer in 2004, earning his licenses as a Deck Officer and Engineer.
Flemming worked the commercial industry as a Deck Officer and Engineer until 2011 before joining the Yachting Industry as an Engineer and later as a Deck Officer. In late 2013 he got his Master Mariner license and has progressed within the Yachting Industry since 2015.
Flemming lives an active life and enjoys; Kiteboarding, snowboarding, golf, tennis and squash.
Chief Officer (Rotational): Andy Shilton
Andy started his yachting career in 2004 and has worked on previous vessels such as M/Y Rahil, M/Y Ulysses, M/Y Katara, M/Y Slipstream and M/Y Hideaway starting out as Deckhand and working up to his current position as Chief Officer.
Andy’s strengths lie in encouraging a motivational team work ethic to get the best out of the crew and in turn the yacht with an honest and open approach to ensure safety and positive attitudes are maintained at all times. Andy is an accomplished Deck Officer be it on the bridge, on deck, in tenders or training and developing crew.
His hobbies include keeping fit, fell running, mountain biking and general clean living.
Second Officer: Brian De Saint Pern
Since coming to yachting in 2016 Brian has worked both contract and freelance providing a range of services with his most recent role being as Bosun/2nd Officer on a 86m vessel.
Brian has a proven track record of leadership and a dedication to excellence. He possesses a strong background in maritime navigation and safety protocols and is proficient in bridge watch-keeping and crew co-ordination coupled with a commitment to upholding the highest industry standards.
Brian’s passions include surfing, boxing and free driving but he also enjoys cycling, scuba driving, hiking, sailing, skateboarding, wakeboarding and yoga.
Purser (Primary): Asimina Paspaliari
Asimina has vast experience as a Purser working on both private and commercial vessels including most recently on the Compagnie Du Ponant (140m) and a 120m+ private yacht. Asimina has a warm, friendly nature and understands the importance of both being able to work as an individual and as a team player. She also understands the constantly shifting nature and timescales of working within the yachting industry.
Asimina brings a positive attitude to her work and is both flexible and committed in her approach.
Purser (Relief): Samantha Morris
Samantha started her career at sea back in 2010 on large cruise ships, progressing onto super yachts in 2016 where she started her Purser career. Samantha now has 14 years’ experience in financial management together with a diploma in coaching and is a qualified Mental Health First Aider.
More recently, Samantha has commenced a degree in psychology and counselling, and was also winner of the ACrew Best Purser award in 2021. In her spare time, she enjoys travel and classical music together with Yoga/Pilates.
Chief Engineer (Rotational): Travis Ludbrook
Travis resides from the Gold Coast, along the east coast of Australia. He has been a major part of the team, being involved in the build of Solandge. With Solandge his 2nd build project, he comes with a wealth of experience and knowledge.
Travis is a family man, married for 10 years with 2 children. Travis has had a love for the water for as long as he can remember. He has been very involved in competitive yachting from a young age, having competed in the Sydney to Hobart yacht race as a Main Mast Man as well as other class racing. Travis’s passion for sports was evident as he excelled in water polo at national level representing Australia for a number of years.
His towering stature shouldn’t be misjudged, he has a friendly, very light and joking demeanour and is very approachable for any guest with any request.
Chief Engineer (Rotational): Colm Fitzsimmons-Wilson
"Fitz" joined Solandge as one of our Second Engineers shortly after build before moving on to take up the role as rotational Chief Engineer. He began his career in The British Royal Navy where he worked on Naval Destroyers, following this he has spent over 12 years working as a chief engineer on various yachts. With over 22 years as a Marine Engineer and holding his Y1 Certificate, he is well experienced and equipped to work as part of an engineering team where he ensures guests receive a trouble free trip.
In his personal life Fitz is married with three children, two of which are identical twins. He spends his time away from the yacht with his family in England. A friendly and amiable person, Fitz is popular with crew and guests alike.
Second Engineer (Rotational): Bryan Fay
Bryan hails from the Morecambe Bay area in the North West of England. He has been interested in engineering and how things work since an early age, and studied engineering at Sheffield Hallam University, before taking a position as a consultant marine engineer in the historical city of Bath, UK. Following a holiday to Florida in 2003, where he was introduced to the Yachting Industry, Bryan decided that there was much more to life than sitting behind a desk in an office, and so packed his bags and went to sea!
Bryan has travelled extensively but currently resides in his home town. He devotes most of his time to his wife and three young children, and spends much of his vacation time in Spain where his wife is from.
Second Engineer (Rotational): Dean James
Dean grew up in the small coastal town of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Raised on the water, Dean has always been involved in water sports such as wake boarding and skiing, eventually taking it to a national level. Dean has always enjoyed fixing and building various things, leading to his interest in engineering.
When starting in the yachting industry Dean jumped at the opportunity to pursue a career as an Engineer and continues to develop his knowledge and skills every day.
Third Engineer: Jack Gunstone Smith
Jack grew up in Wales, UK with his older sister, after school Jack started studying traditional boat building. Following this he undertook a 4 year shipwright apprenticeship in Southampton which led to working as a boatbuilder before joining the yachting industry. Jack took a deckhand position on a delivery from New Zealand to Tahiti and he has never looked back.
Jack has a determination for life and his career, currently working towards obtaining his OOW 3000. His other goal is to purchase a house with his girlfriend in South Africa in the near future. Jack has always been an active person, going to the gym regularly and spending
lots of time outdoors, hiking, cycling and scuba diving.
