Captain: Jarryd Vermaak
Captain Jarryd was born in South Africa. He grew up in Durban spending his days on the beaches with his friends. Jarryd studied Marketing and advertising after school while working for a successful restaurant/cocktail bar opening new franchises around South Africa. Jarryd entered the yachting world in 2009 as deckhand onboard a 188’ Feadship. Since entering the wonderful world of luxury yachting, he has crossed the Atlantic 5 times and cruised many different waters including the Mediterranean, Caribbean, US East coast and the Gulf of Mexico. His hard work, attention to detail and growing knowledge, along with strong communication and entrepreneurship skills allowed him to work his way up to Captain of very busy private and Charter programs. Jarryd first joined LADY J in 2015. His longevity and charter experience have allowed him to hone his skills to provide a five-star yacht program and experience to guests every time. He is very team and guest focused. He has a lively bubbly personality and gets on with all guests, always sharing a joke or two, making for a memorable charter experience that guests won’t ever forget. In his free time, Jarryd enjoys diving, water sports, traveling, and reading.
First Officer: Tyler Franks
Tyler was born in Memphis, Tennessee. He grew up playing on his high school basketball and golf team. Tyler then moved to Knoxville where he attended the University of Tennessee to study marketing. During his time there, he started up his own valet company which became very successful and is still going strong to this day. Throughout his life, Tyler has been boating on lakes all through Tennessee. Since then, he has been pursuing a boating career which brought him down to Fort Lauderdale, and eventually onboard Lady J. During his spare time Tyler enjoys playing golf, basketball, fishing, and spikeball on the beach.
Chief Engineer (Rotation): Matthew Stallard
Matt is from Winchester, Virginia in the Blue Ridge Mountains. He grew up sailing in the Chesapeake Bay and sport fishing in the Outer Banks of North Carolina. After earning a degree in economics from the College of Charleston, South Carolina he decided to follow his love for the ocean and pursue a career at sea. He has been onboard yachts for 15 years. When not turning wrenches, Matt enjoys being in the mountains hiking and camping, or on the water paddling and fishing.
Chief Engineer (Rotation): Erick Moreno
Erick was born in Mexico and raised in Beaverton, Oregon. A graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy, he discovered his passion for engineering and the ocean early in his career. With six years of experience aboard various vessels, Erick has honed his skills as a responsible and detail-oriented engineer. He takes pride in maintaining a clean and organized engine room, ensuring Lady J operates smoothly and safely. Erick finds great satisfaction in running his systems efficiently and resolving challenges with precision and care. A dedicated team player, Erick values learning from his fellow crew members and contributing to a positive dynamic onboard Lady J. Off duty, Erick enjoys relaxing with friends and family, especially while watching soccer matches. He also cherishes quiet moments at home with his loved ones and his dogs.
Chef: Jared Greto
Meet Chef Jared, a proud native of Sheffield, Pennsylvania, who discovered early on that food has a special power to bring joy to people’s lives. Jared is passionate about using fresh ingredients to craft dishes that are not only delicious but also create unforgettable experiences. His culinary journey has taken him through diverse regions, from the scenic Pacific Northwest to the rugged mountains of Colorado, and the charming coastlines of New England. These places have shaped his cooking style, blending flavors from various cultures and traditions. Outside of the galley, Jared loves to travel and explore new culinary landscapes. He also enjoys snowboarding in the winter months. For Jared, cooking is more than a profession; it’s a way to connect with others and share the happiness food brings.
Chief Stewardess: Ana Elisa Sanchez
Born and raised in Panama City, Panama, Ana Elisa Sanchez grew up with a deep family passion for boating. Since beginning her yachting career in 2012, she has served as a stewardess throughout the Caribbean, Florida, the Adriatic Sea, and across the Mediterranean.
Her extensive background on superyachts has allowed her to refine her knowledge in fine-dining silver service, elegant table settings, floral design, and large-scale event coordination.
Ana loves traveling, discovering new cultures, learning languages, and exploring the culinary traditions of the world—often collaborating closely with onboard chefs to expand her techniques.
She is dedicated to creating memorable experiences for every guest and takes great pride in delivering exceptional service. Ana is delighted to bring her skills and enthusiasm to LADY J and looks forward to helping craft unforgettable moments for all who come aboard.
2nd Stewardess: Casey Van Der Touw
Whether in the ocean or the pool, Casey has spent much of her life in and on the water—surfing, snorkeling, and scuba diving around the globe. After studying filmmaking, she built a successful career in the camera department on A-list feature films, traveling from Los Angeles to Cape Town. During an underwater film shoot in Mauritius, she was inspired to pursue further dive training, eventually becoming a certified scuba instructor and ocean conservationist. That journey led her to the Cayman Islands, where she discovered her passion for yachting and later joined LADY J. With a natural flair for creativity and a charismatic personality, Casey brings professionalism and adventure to every charter. Outside of yachting, she enjoys yoga, photography, and exploring new destinations above and below the sea.
3rd Stewardess: Dominique Gonggryp
Born and raised in Durban, a beautiful coastal city in South Africa, Dominique grew up surrounded by the ocean—an environment that inspired her passion for travel and life on the water. Before beginning her career in yachting, she worked as a travel agent, gaining valuable experience in hospitality and guest relations. Her background in coordinating travel and managing details translates seamlessly to life onboard LADY J, where she brings strong organizational skills and a meticulous eye for detail to the interior team. Dominique takes pride in creating a welcoming, polished atmosphere for guests and ensuring every detail is perfectly in place. When she’s not working, she enjoys scuba diving, discovering new destinations, and making the most of time spent by the sea.
Bosun: Carel De Beer
Born in Cape Town, South Africa where he grew up playing rugby and loved the outdoors, Carel has always loved being near the ocean. He started his yachting career as soon as he finished high school and found his way traveling to the states to work on yachts. He has worked and traveled in the Bahamas for 6 months before joining Lady J. During his spare time, he enjoys traveling, playing golf, fishing, diving, swimming and being active in the gym.
Deckhand: Damian Zielinski
Originally from Chicago, Illinois, Damian’s entry into the maritime world was driven by a lifelong passion for the outdoors and adventure. After spending two years traveling the globe, he earned his professional Divemaster certification in Utila, Honduras, and soon found his way into the yachting industry. Now part of the crew aboard LADY J, Damian brings enthusiasm, skill, and a love for the ocean to every charter. An avid rock climber at heart, he thrives on active pursuits and enjoys sharing his passion for the water with guests. Damian looks forward to helping create safe, seamless, and unforgettable underwater experiences during their time onboard
