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: 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.
Chief Officer - Rotational: 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.
Chef - Rotational: Adrian Bustamante
ADRIAN WAS BORN IN CARACAS, VENEZUELA, AND BEGAN HIS CULINARY JOURNEY AT 18 AFTER REALISING HIS PASSION FOR COOKING. AT 21, HE MOVED TO BARCELONA TO STUDY CULINARY ARTS, AND LATER WORKED IN RESTAURANTs IN FRANCE. AFTER FOUR YEARS IN YACHTING, HE RETURNED TO THE RESTAURANT SCENE IN DENMARK. ADRIAN HAS ALWAYS BEEN DRAWN TO PLACES THAT FOCUS ON SOURCING LOCAL INGREDIENTS. HIS LOVE FOR FOOD IS ABOUT CONNECTING WITH LOCAL PRODUCTS AND CULTURES. CURRENTLY, HE IS LIVING IN THE SERENE MOUNTAINS OF GALICIA, SPAIN, WITH HIS FAMILY, SEEKING A DEEPER CONNECTION WITH NATURE AND THE YACHTING LIFE IN-BETWEEN!
Sous Chef -: Nick Lancaster
CHEF NICK BRINGS 15 YEARS OF CULINARY EXPERIENCE AND A DEEP LOVE FOR BOTH FOOD AND THE OCEAN. ORIGINALLY FROM SOUTH AFRICA, NICK WAS INSPIRED BY THE VIBRANT FLAVORS AND DIVERSE CULINARY TRADITIONS OF HIS HOMELAND, WHICH HAVE SHAPED HIS APPROACH TO COOKING. OVER THE YEARS, HE HAS PERFECTED THE ART OF CREATING UNFORGETTABLE MEALS THAT BLEND GLOBAL INFLUENCES WITH FRESH, LOCAL INGREDIENTS. WHETHER CRAFTING EXQUISITE FINE DINING OR CASUAL, COMFORT-FILLED DISHES, NICK IS DEDICATED TO ENSURING EVERY MEAL IS AS MEMORABLE AS THE VOYAGE ITSELF.
Chef - Rotational: Linda Nilsson
LINDA GREW UP IN A SMALL COASTAL TOWN IN SOUTHERN SWEDEN AND, AFTER CULINARY SCHOOL AT 19, MOVED TO SPAIN TO PURSUE HER DREAM OF TRAVELING. SHE HAS SINCE WORKED IN COSTA BRAVA, MANAGED A RESTAURANT IN ANDORRA, AND IS NOW BASED IN MALLORCA, WHERE SHE HAS BEEN A YACHT CHEF FOR ELEVEN YEARS.
PASSIONATE ABOUT COOKING, LINDA HONES HER CRAFT BY TRAINING WITH MICHELIN-STAR CHEFS BETWEEN SEASONS. SHE BRINGS PROFESSIONALISM AND CREATIVITY TO EVERY TABLE, AIMING TO DELIGHT AND INSPIRE THROUGH HER DISHES.
OFF THE WATER, SHE LOVES ADVENTURE—MOST RECENTLY SUMMITING KILIMANJARO FOR THE SECOND TIME.
Second Officer: Ryan Scheepers
RYAN WAS BORN IN PORT ELIZABETH, SOUTH AFRICA AND SPENT HIS CHILDHOOD ON A FAMILY FARM OFF THE COAST OF JEFFREYS BAY. IMMERSED IN FARM LIFE FROM AN EARLY AGE WORKING CATTLE, HUNTING, AND RIDING MOTORBIKES HE DEVELOPED A LASTING PASSION FOR THE OUTDOORS.
DURING SCHOOL HOLIDAYS J-BAY WAS HOME WHERE DEEP-SEA FISHING AND SURFING SPARKED A LIFELONG LOVE FOR THE OCEAN.
AFTER COMPLETING HIS HONOURS DEGREE IN AGRICULTURAL ECONOMICS AT THE UNIVERSITY OF THE FREE STATE, RYAN REALISED HE WASN’T READY FOR THE CORPORATE WORLD AND DECIDED TO TAKE A GAP YEAR TO EXPLORE THE YACHTING INDUSTRY.
SIX YEARS LATER HAVING TRAVELLED EXTENSIVELY AND EARNING HIS OFFICER OF THE WATCH CERTIFICATE HE HASN’T LOOKED BACK.
Lead Deckhand: Hanco Rassouw
PREVIOUS YACHTS:M/Y SEA OWL, M/Y SCOUT
HOBBIES: DIVING, HIKING, TRIATHLONS
HANCO WAS BORN IN SOUTH AFRICA AND IS CURRENTLY LIVING IN KNYSNA. HANK HAS A DEEP LOVE FOR THE OUTDOORS, ESPECIALLY ANYTHING OCEAN BASED SUCH AS WATER-SKIING. HE THRIVES ON CONNECTING WITH PEOPLE,EXPLORING NEW PLACES, AND EMBRACING ANY ADVENTURES THAT COME HIS WAY. ALONGSIDE WORKING ON THE YACHTS, HANK HAS ALSO SET UP A SKINCARE BRAND CALLED ‘FACIL’ WHICH IS AN INDEPENDANT BRAND AND IS GROwING IN THE MARKET.
Deckhand: Connor Lake
BORN AND RAISED IN THE SOUTH OF ENGLAND, CONNOR DEVELOPED A LOVE FOR THE SEA AT AN EARLY AGE, SAILING THE COLD AND OFTEN CHALLENGING WATERS OF THE UK. WHAT BEGAN ON SMALL SAILING BOATS EVENTUALLY EVOLVED INTO A PROFESSIONAL CAREER IN THE SUPERYACHT INDUSTRY, WHERE HE MADE THE LEAP TO WORKING ON VESSELS BETWEEN 50 AND 75 METRES. WITH SOLID HANDS-ON EXPERIENCE ON DECK, HE IS NOW WORKING TOWARDS HIS OFFICER OF THE WATCH (OOW) TICKET, MOVING ONE STEP CLOSER TO HIS LONG-TERM AMBITION OF BECOMING A CAPTAIN.
BEFORE FULLY COMMITTING TO LIFE AT SEA, HE ALSO WORKED AS A PLUMBER, GAINING PRACTICAL TRADE SKILLS AND A STRONG WORK ETHIC THAT CONTINUE TO SERVE HIM WELL IN HIS MARITIME CAREER. IN HIS SPARE TIME, HE ENJOYS PLAYING GOLF, APPRECIATING THE FOCUS, PRECISION, AND COMPETITIVE EDGE THE GAME BRINGS — A PERFECT BALANCE TO LIFE ON THE WATER.
Deckhand: Josh Botha
I GREW UP IN A SMALLER TOWN CALLED HARTBEESPOORT WHICH IS SITUATED AROUND A LAKE, IN SOUTH AFRICA. MOST OF MY WEEKENDS CONSISTED OF GETTING UP TO MISCHIEF WITH ALL MY BEST MATES ON OR NEAR THE BEAUTIFUL LAKE. MY NON-NEGOTIABLES IN LIFE ARE FITNESS, RESISTANCE TRAINING, EXPLORING THIS INCREDIBLE PLANET WE CALL OUR HOME AND DEVELOPING MY MIND. TWO IMPORTANT ELEMENTS OF THE WORLD THAT I HAVE ALWAYS HELD CLOSE TO MY HEART ARE NATURE AND WILDLIFE. WHEN I WAS A YOUNG BOY, THOSE ARE THE THINGS THAT I GRAVITATED TOWARDS AND STILL DO. PRIOR TO MY YACHTING CAREER, I STUDIED A BUSINESS FINANCIAL SCIENCES DEGREE AND WORKED IN THE FINANCIAL DEPARTMENT FOR A LOGISTICS COMPANY. I QUICKLY REALISED THAT ONE OF MY NON-NEGOTIABLES WAS ELIMINATED AND THIS IS WHEN MY AMAZING PARTNER AND I STEPPED INTO THE YACHTING INDUSTRY. I AM GRATEFUL FOR THE LESSONS THAT THE INDUSTRY HAS BROUGHT TO MY LIFE SO FAR, AND I CANNOT WAIT TO SEE WHAT I CAN BECOME.
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.
Chief Stewardess - Rotational: Amy Chalupsky
AMY GREW UP IN THE 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
2nd Stewardess: Emily Rennie
MEET EMILY, A VIBRANT AND ADVENTUROUS YOUNG WOMAN FROM SOUTH AFRICA, WHO'S LIVING HER DREAM IN THE YACHTING INDUSTRY. WITH A DEGREE IN MARKETING AND A PASSION FOR TRAVEL, EMILY JOINED THE INDUSTRY 5 YEARS AGO, EAGER TO EXPLORE THE WORLD AND CREATE UNFORGETTABLE MEMORIES.
GROWING UP ON A FARM IN SOUTH AFRICA INSTILLED IN HER A DEEP LOVE FOR NATURE AND THE OUTDOORS, AND SHE'S NOW THRIVING IN AN ENVIRONMENT THAT LETS HER SURROUND HERSELF WITH THE OCEAN. EMILY IS PASSIONATE ABOUT MAKING EVERY MOMENT COUNT.
WITH A WARM SMILE AND A GIVING HEART, EMILY IS DEDICATED TO CRAFTING EXCEPTIONAL EXPERIENCES FOR GUESTS AND CREW ALIKE. WHEN SHE'S NOT WORKING, YOU'LL FIND HER SOAKING UP THE SUN OR EXPLORING THE WORLD'S MOST BEAUTIFUL DESTINATIONS. EMILY'S ULTIMATE GOAL IS TO TRAVEL THE GLOBE BY YACHT, AND SHE'S GRATEFUL TO BE LIVING HER PASSION.
3rd Stewardess: Caela Gauché
I GREW UP IN SOUTH AFRICA AND SURROUNDED BY THE INCREDIBLE BEAUTY MY COUNTRY HAS TO OFFER, I QUICKLY DEVELOPED A DEEP LOVE FOR NATURE, WILDLIFE, AND THE OCEAN. IT HAS ALWAYS BEEN A PERSONAL GOAL OF MINE TO STRENGTHEN MY CONNECTION WITH THE PLANET AND IMMERSE MYSELF IN THE NATURAL WONDERS OF OUR WORLD. YACHTING HAS GIVEN ME MANY PIECES OF THAT PUZZLE IN THE MOST EXTRAORDINARY WAYS, AND THE ADVENTURES THAT LIE AHEAD IN THIS INDUSTRY CONTINUE TO FUEL MY DRIVE AND CURIOSITY. BEFORE YACHTING, I COMPLETED MY HONOURS DEGREE IN INDUSTRIAL PSYCHOLOGY, HUMAN RESOURCES, AND LABOUR RELATIONS, AND WENT ON TO WORK FOR A MINING COMPANY AS A TRAINING COORDINATOR. DURING MY UNIVERSITY YEARS, I MET JOSH— THE ABSOLUTE LOVE OF MY LIFE AND TOGETHER WE DECIDED TO SET ASIDE THE CORPORATE PATH TO PURSUE A LIFE OF ADVENTURE WHILE WE HAD THE GRACE OF OUR TWENTIES ON OUR SIDE. WE DISCOVERED YACHTING, AND WHAT AN INCREDIBLE PRIVILEGE THIS JOURNEY HAS BEEN SO FAR. MY ULTIMATE GOAL IN LIFE IS TO ALWAYS CHASE PASSION AND ADVENTURE —AND TO NEVER FEAR THE RISK OF FAILURE.
Stewardess: Zoe Clark
ZOE GREW UP IN A SMALL TOWN ON AUSTRALIA’S EAST COAST AND HAS SINCE CALLED BOTH BRISBANE AND MELBOURNE HOME. A LIFELONG LOVER OF TRAVEL, SHE HAS EXPLORED REGIONS ACROSS EUROPE, ASIA, AND THE UNITED STATES -EXPERIENCES THAT HAVE SHAPED HER OPEN-MINDED AND PEOPLE-FOCUSED APPROACH TO LIFE AND WORK.
BEFORE JOINING THE YACHTING INDUSTRY, ZOE BUILT HER CAREER IN MARKETING AND PUBLIC RELATIONS, REPRESENTING VARIOUS LUXURY BRANDS IN AUSTRALIA. IT WAS THERE SHE DISCOVERED HER PASSION FOR CREATING MEMORABLE EXPERIENCES AND FOSTERING MEANINGFUL CONNECTIONS.
IN HER DOWNTIME, ZOE ENJOYS BEACH DAYS, COOKING, AND STAYING ACTIVE. SHE VALUES QUALITY TIME WITH FRIENDS AND FAMILY AND LOVES SPENDING TIME OUTDOORS WHENEVER POSSIBLE.
Stewardess: Caitlan Allen
CAITLAN GREW UP ON THE WEST COAST OF AUSTRALIA WITH A STRONG LOVE FOR TRAVEL, MEETING NEW PEOPLE, AND EMBRACING NEW EXPERIENCES. OVER THE PAST FEW YEARS, SHE HAS KEPT HERSELF BUSY STUDYING ACROSS MULTIPLE COUNTRIES AND TRAVELING, ENJOYING THE CHALLENGE OF NEW ENVIRONMENTS AND CULTURES.
BEFORE JOINING THE YACHTING INDUSTRY IN 2025, CAITLAN SPENT OVER SEVEN YEARS WORKING IN HOSPITALITY ACROSS BARTENDING, BARISTA, AND CUSTOMER SERVICE ROLES, ALONGSIDE ROLES WITHIN A UNIVERSITY AND IN MARKETING-RELATED POSITIONS. THESE EXPERIENCES SHAPED HER FRIENDLY, ADAPTABLE, AND PROFESSIONAL APPROACH. SINCE ENTERING YACHTING, SHE HAS ENJOYED LEARNING ACROSS HOUSEKEEPING, LAUNDRY, AND SERVICE, AND BRINGS A BRIGHT, BUBBLY ENERGY AND POSITIVE ATTITUDE TO THE TEAM.
