About the Crew
Rotational Captain: Jonathan Barrett
Nationality: South African
Languages: English, Afrikaans
Description:
Education/Certifications: P,anama 500GT Master License, STCW 10 – PSSR, PST, Fire Fighting, First Aid; STCW 10 – Maritime Security Awareness; ENG 1 Medical Certificate; SDI/TDI Open Water Dive Certificate; USCG Bridge Resource Management (BRM); Diploma in Hotel Management
Jonathan Barrett was born in South Africa and grew up in Durban where he spent most of his youth living aboard his parents’ sport fisher in Durban Harbor. This is where he learned how to sail, surf, skateboard, and wakeboard at a young age, and where his passion for the ocean started.
Passionate about yachting since childhood, he began his professional career in the industry in 2013 as a mate and is now a rotational Captain of M/Y NO BAD IDEAS. He is also working toward his 500GT Masters License at this time.
Captain Jon’s pastimes include golf, playing guitar, discovering new restaurants, and surfing, especially exploring new places with secret surfing spots. Of all the destinations he’s traveled to, the natural beauty of Panama has captured his heart, and he plans to open a surfing camp there when he retires from yachting.
Rotational Captain: Karel du Toit
Nationality: South African
Languages: English, Afrikaans
Description:
Education/Certifications: Panama 500GT Master License, MCA Chief mate 3000tn, Marshall Islands 350tn, UnLMT Oceans Master, MCA Y.M Unlimited Oceans 200tn Master, AEC (Advance Engineering Course, PADI Open Water Diver, ENG1
Karel grew up as one of three siblings in the coastal town of Durbanville, north of Cape Town, South Africa. He spent many holidays on the ocean, fishing and diving along the cold Benguela Coast. In his early years he attended an agricultural boarding school and represented South Africa in horse jousting. At 22 y.o., he felt a strong calling to leave South Africa and pursue a formal yachting career, that started in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. It made the most sense to him, given his love and familiarity of water.
He’s been involved in chartering since then and worked on yachts including: M/Y SYCARA (Deckhand), M/Y AMORAZUR II (Deckhand), M/Y LA DOLCE VITA (Mate), M/Y SWEET ESCAPE (Mate), M/Y WAKU (1st Officer), M/Y VAIVEN (Captain), M/Y KAOS (Captain), M/Y BAD ROMANCE IV (Captain), M/Y BAD ROMANCE V (Captain) and currently onboard M/Y NO BAD IDEAS as a rotational Captain.
As a Captain he is know to have a stable personality and strong leadership capabilities, such as making clear headed decisions under pressure, staying calm and making sure his team stays focused and confident. He’s also skilled at foreseeing needs, organizing complex operations and always finding a way to make things happen quickly and reliably. He believes maintaining a good work environment where crew can thrive individually is the root where the most successful charters develop. Karel loves deep sea trolling, jigging, bottom fishing, free diving, spearfishing, and rigging, which makes him the ideal guide for guests wanting an unforgettable fishing experience.
Over the years he navigated through the Americas, the Bahamas, the Caribbean and the Mediterranean, but his favorite charter destination is the Bahamas & British Virgin Islands, because of the natural beauty and privacy.
His favorite place on earth is Africa, because of the wildlife, the landscapes and the immersive cultural experiences that reset and ground you in a way that a few other places can. He would like to one day return to South Africa.
In his spare time, Captain Karel enjoys golf, fishing, water sports, traveling, staying fit and most of all, spending time with family.
His personal motto is “Love what you do and you will never work a day in your life.”
Rotational Chef: Richard "Dicky" Leather
Nationality: British
Languages: English, French, German, Croatian
Description:
Education/Certifications: NVQ, 1,2,3 Food Technology, Dive Master, Thai Food Course, Ayurveda Indian Course, English teacher
Richard grew up in the outskirts of Manchester, England. He played tennis and rugby on a country level all over England and later went to Austria to train downhill and slalom skiing, he won many awards at a junior and at a senior level.
Before working on charters, he used to be an Investigator for Her Majesty's Custom and Excise Drug Target Team and an Intelligence Officer for the Serious Organized Crime Agency in the UK.
He says sailing is in his blood as his grandfather and father were both seafarers. His own journey with yachting began when he sailed around the Scottish Isles in 1998 and later in 2011 when he joined a cruise ship as a CDP. Since then he's worked on various charters based in the Mediterranean and the Caribbean, such as M/Y LADY SOPHIA, M/Y BLUE MAGIC, M/Y LIFE SAGA, M/Y CALLIOPE, M/Y MILESTONE, M/Y OMAHA and currently on M/Y NO BAD IDEAS.
He's sailed all over the world and seen beautiful and interesting places, but his favorites are Costa Rica and Turkey. His wish is to cruise to Alaska.
He prepares healthy, nutritious and tasty food, and especially loves to cook Asian and Mediterranean cooking and can accommodate all dietary requirements. As part of the crew he strongly believes in teamwork makes the dreamwork and leaving egos behind.
Outside of yachting he enjoys anything to do with sports, but specifically playing football, skiing, scuba diving, riding motorbikes, playing the drums, guitar, saxophone and being with his family.
His personal motto is "Where there is a will, there is a way."
Rotational Chef: Tzu-Liang "Jay" Kao
Nationality: South African
Languages: English, Mandarin
Description:
Education/Certifications: Diploma - Professional Cookery and Kitchen Management NQF LV 6, Hospitality Diploma, Cayman Ship Cook Certificate, French Cooking and Pastry Course, STCW 10, ENG1, Cayman Island Ship Cook Certificate, Food Hygiene Level 2, Designated Security Duties, Security Training for Seafarer.
Born in Taipei and raised in South Africa, Jay brings an international perspective and dynamic culinary flair to every meal he creates. His culinary journey began at The International Hotel School, where he earned his diploma and gained valuable experience working in various hotel restaurants. Eager to expand his skills and refine his craft, Jay joined the yachting industry in 2011, drawn by the opportunity to explore diverse cuisines and cultures.
Jay’s greatest strength lies in his ability to perform under pressure while maintaining calm and focus. He believes strong communication is the key to delivering a seamless, high-end experience for guests and aims for his dishes to be the highlight of every charter. His modern international approach means no two menus are the same: from fine dining to themed dinners, he tailors every meal to guest preferences and requests. Over the years, he has executed everything from gluten-free and vegan menus to themed nights inspired by Mexican, Greek, and Asian cuisines.
As Jay puts it, a yacht chef should be a “jack of all trades, master of none,” capable of creating exceptional dishes across many culinary styles to satisfy a wide variety of tastes.
When he’s not in the galley, Jay enjoys relaxing on the beach, hiking, scuba diving, and skydiving. He loves traveling to new countries and discovering local flavors to help fuel his inspiration.
Rotational engineer: Paul Johannes Malherbe
Nationality: South Africa
Languages: English, Afrikaans
Description:
Education/Certifications: Marketing, N6, Yacht Masters, MEOL
Paul is one of three brothers, who grew up together on a farm outside of Cape Town, they had the best life exploring nature and playing sports.
In his earlier years he first had a career as a rugby player, a farmer and later he worked with the South African National Antarctic Expedition, where he worked in extreme conditions aboard the SA AGULHAS II, handling critical maintenance and cargo operations. He has also worked in heavy equipment maintenance, granite production management, and agricultural operations, giving him a rare range of knowledge in the mechanical and technical filed. While traveling to Antarctica by boats, he fell in love with the ocean and decided to pursue his yachting path.
Paul is highly skilled and a dependable engineer with over 9 years of experience in the yachting industry and a strong background in mechanical systems, heavy machinery, and technical operations. He is currently serving as Engineer aboard M/Y NO BAD IDEAS, where his special set of expertise, problem solving mind, proactive approach, and calm presence make him an invaluable part of the engineering team. His best asset is his ability and willingness to help out in different departments and keep everyone happy by fixing things - he just wants the crew and guests to have the best time possible.
His favorite destination for charters is the Bahamas, but his personal favorite in the world in Antarctica, as it is a completely different world wit not a lot of people.
Outside of yachting he's an avid outdoorsman who enjoys scuba diving, deep-sea fishing, hunting, spear fishing, rugby, and keeping active.
His personal motto "Live every day as if it's going to be your last."
Rotational engineer: Divan Venter
Nationality: South Africa
Languages: English, Afrikaans
Description:
Education/Certifications: STCW 10 – PSSR, PST, Fire Fighting, First Aid; STCW 10 – Maritime Security Awareness; ENG 1 Medical Certificate Working towards SV 2nd Engineer 3000GT.
Divan grew up in Pretoria, South Africa but moved to Umhlanga, Durban when he was in high school. During his childhood he did competitive endurance riding after school and later went on to obtain his private pilot’s license.
After a friend suggested, Divan decided to step into the yachting scene in 2017. At the time he wasn’t sure what he was getting into but now he couldn’t see himself anywhere else. First starting off as a Deckhand, Divan has learned the
ins and outs of vessels and is now in the process of obtaining his SV license.
Friends would describe Divan as energetic, enthusiastic, and eager. He is currently trying to learn how to play the saxophone but also enjoys running and cycling in his spare time.
Chief Stewardess: Robyn "Robs" Forte
Nationality: South Africa
Languages: English, Afrikaans
Description:
Education/Certifications: BSc Honours Degree in Architecture, Pursers Certificate
Robyn grew up with two younger brothers in Swaziland and a very close knit family. She loved to get involved with everything possible - horse riding, gymnastics, judo, swimming, art, hockey, dancing and she partook in a charity club "Save the rhino", which involved raising funds to save the rhinos from poaching . She graduated high school on the 10% in the country in academics.
Her plan was to be an architect, but after a gap year in 2022, spent yachting, she completely fell in love with the industry and her passion only grew stronger since. Robyn adores what she does, especially taking care of people and making them happy - for her it's more of a passion rather than just a job.
Best charter destination she's been to is Turkey, as it's filled with culture and breathtaking views, but her personal favorite place is still her home, South Africa - "From the beach to the bush, there's just nothing quite like it."
Robyn's goal is to become a purser and to contribute to the yachting industry in whatever way she can. As a stewardess she tries to do everything with a purpose and a 110%. She prepares little surprises for guest to make them feel special and for their charter to standout.
In her free time, she spend time doing water color paintings, yoga and tries to learn many new things - currently she's teaching herself how to play the piano.
Her personal motto is "If there's no team in teamwork, then it's just work."
Second Stewardess: Sophie Von Ruben
Nationality: Polish
Languages: English, Afrikaans, Polish, french
Description:
Education/Certifications: BAHons History, Bachelor of Arts and Social Sciences, STCW 2010 (with PDSD), NMA Medical, Highfield Food Health & Safety level II, RYA Powerboat Level II, PADI Advanced Open Water, Cayman Islands
Discharge Book, South African Driver’s License
Sophie was born in a small lakeside town in Poland to a Polish mother and South African father, and grew up with her younger sister in the coastal city of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. From a young age, she was exposed to travel and
different cultures due to her father’s work with the United Nations.
Before entering yachting, Sophie completed her university studies while working part-time in various roles, including at a cycling apparel store, a boutique winery in Stellenbosch waitressing, and briefly interning at the Franschhoek Huguenot Memorial Museum. Although she initially considered a career in tourism or museums, she soon realized it was not the right fit.
Sophie began her yachting career at the end of 2023. Her first position was onboard a private motor yacht. She is currently the Second Stew onboard M/Y NO BAD IDEAS, her second yacht and first charter vessel. She wants charter
guests to step out of their comfort zones, away from their phones or televisions, and truly experience what it is like to see the world from the water, as yacht crew are privileged to do every day - swimming, diving, and exploring, while creating unforgettable memories and meaningful connections, whether with their friends or even the crew. She would eventually like to become a Chief Stew and work onboard an explorer yacht.
Sophie has cruised Turkey, the Red Sea, Dubai, Mombasa, Zanzibar, Eastern Madagascar, Seychelles, Caribbean and Bahamas. Seychelles remains her favorite destination, where she learned to scuba dive and experienced untouched marine life.
Outside of yachting, she would love to buy properties in various locations and restore them into something special, creating places scattered around the world to enjoy. Otherwise, as clichéd as it may sound, all she truly wants is to be happy.
She enjoys exploring, snorkeling, and horse riding, anything active or educational. She loves museums and always tries to visit one wherever she is. Travelling is another great passion of hers, and she hopes to one day visit all seven modern wonders of the world. Immersing herself in other cultures- eating their food, learning their histories, and attempting to speak their language is something she finds truly special and holds very dear.
Her life motto is: “It’s a good day to have a great day.”
Stewardess / Masseuse: Babette Jansen Van Rensburg
Nationality: South African
Languages: English, Afrikaans
Description:
Education/Certifications: BA Degree in Communication Design, Maritime & Wellness, STCW (Basic Safety Training), PDSD, Deep Tissue Massage, Swedish Massage, Japanese Facial Massage, Indian Head, Hand & Foot Massage
Babette grew up on a farm in South Africa with her younger sister, enjoying a very active childhood. From a young age, she developed a love for theatre, horse riding, and music. In her early teens, she won several swimming and violin awards, reflecting her dedication and discipline across both sport and the arts.
Prior to entering the yachting industry, Babette worked as a Designer specializing in UX and media, with experience in digital marketing and sales. She began her yachting career in 2024, spending three months onboard a sailing yacht. Although she briefly returned to marketing afterward, she deeply missed the lifestyle, travel, and hands-on nature of working closely with people. She realized that she gains energy from being of service, creating meaningful experiences for guests, and contributing to a team within a dynamic environment. This insight led her to fully pursue
a career in yachting.
Babette currently works onboard M/Y NO BAD IDEAS as a Stewardess and Masseuse. Her role includes delivering high-level guest service, maintaining impeccable interior standards, and providing professional massage treatments
to enhance the overall guest experience. Her intention is for guests to feel completely relaxed, well cared for, and able to fully switch off, leaving refreshed, rejuvenated, and having experienced exceptional, heartfelt service.
Within the yachting industry, Babette aims to continue developing her career as a Stewardess and Masseuse, with a strong focus on wellness, bodywork, and exceptional guest care. She is committed to deepening her skills in massage
and therapeutic practices, creating meaningful and restorative experiences for guests through her touch and presence.
Outside of yachting, Babette aspires to build a long-term career in holistic wellness, focusing on helping people release stress and emotional tension through massage and healing. Her long-term goal is to work in retreats or
private wellness settings, supporting others on their healing journeys.
In her personal life, Babette enjoys swimming, hiking, yoga, and breathwork.
Her life motto is “Have faith, not fear.”
Mate: Dylan "Duck" Wells
Nationality: South Africa
Languages: English
Description:
Education/Certifications: Bachelors in Marketing and Advertising, PADI open water diving, Yachtmaster 2000gt, Nav & Radar, PSCRB, HELM Management
Dylan grew up with his sister and brother in the close-knit beach town of Umdloti, South Africa. From a young age, he led an active outdoor lifestyle, participating in rugby, tennis, golf, squash, water polo, running, and surfing. He was named Player of the Season in both rugby and water polo.
Before entering the yachting industry, Dylan worked in his family business, Gerald Wells Hair, a well-established company with 26 stores across South Africa. His yachting journey began as a gap year in 2014, initially as a way to
travel after studying - he fell in love with it and came back to it later in life.
Dylan has had over four years of experience working on charter yachts, including M/Y RADIANT, M/Y QUEEN MIRI, M/Y AL RAYA, M/Y OCTOPUS, M/Y TRIPLE SEVEN and is currently onboard as a Mate on M/Y NO BAD IDEAS. His greatest strengths lie in his extensive knowledge of yachting operations and a strong understanding of exterior roles. Dylan places high importance on ensuring guests have a fun, safe, and memorable experience - a trip where they really want to come back.
He's experienced cursing to places like Chile, Argentina, Brazil, Panama, the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mediterranean, Jordan, Israel, Oman, Egypt, Sri Lanka, Indonesia, Singapore, Thailand and Antarctica, which stands out as his favorite destination, a place he believes must be experienced firsthand to truly be understood. But must of all he loves home South Africa, because his family and best friends are there!
In his free time, Dylan enjoys surfing, paddle sports, water sports, golfing, carpentry, painting, and staying actively involved in different projects. He is enthusiastic about sharing his knowledge and is able to teach a wide range of skills.
His personal motto in life is "Tomorrow's not promised to you."
Bosun: Zachary Ruffels
Nationality: South Africa
Languages: English, Afrikaans
Description:
Education/Certifications: STCW 95, RYA Powerboat 2, ENG 1STCW, MOY 200, EDH, HELM,
Zachary, grew up in Cape Town, South Africa, surrounded by beautiful beaches and dramatic mountain landscapes that he proudly calls home. At the age of five, he moved to Germany for three years before returning to Cape Town,
where he was raised alongside his older brother, younger brother, and sister. He spent much of his time outdoors building forts, catching lizards and snakes, and dreaming of becoming like Steve Irwin. During his school years, he
was a competitive swimmer who broke long-standing school records and also played rugby for his school’s first team.
Before entering the yachting industry, Zac was a business owner, running his own horticultural store. While business taught him discipline and responsibility, his passion for the sea was always present, inspired by his father’s service in
the navy and a lifelong interest in working on boats.
He began his yachting career in 2023 and is currently a Bosun onboard M/Y NO BAD IDEAS, where over the past two years he has cruised extensively throughout the Bahamas and the Caribbean, gaining amazing experience and
knowledge of the region to share with guests.
Zachary is known for his strong work ethic, adaptability, and ability to learn quickly. His warm, friendly personality, patience, and energetic demeanor make him a positive presence onboard, and he takes pride in ensuring guests
enjoy a fulfilling experience and leave with unforgettable memories.
Zac’s long-term goal is to become a Captain and eventually run his own successful program. Outside of yachting, he hopes to one day own his own business again and enjoy a balanced, happy retirement.
In his personal life, Zac enjoys staying active and outdoors, spending time at the gym, swimming, and hiking. He values time with family and often builds cars with his father.
His life motto is: “Mind over matter.”
Deckhand: Kyle Doubell
Nationality: South Africa
Languages: English, Afrikaans
Description:
Education/Certifications: Bcom in Business and Marketing Science, AEC1&2, STCW Basic, PWC level 2
Kyle grew up in the northern suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa, alongside his older brother. Sport played a central role in his upbringing, particularly rugby and cricket, where he competed at provincial level and captained teams in
both disciplines. These experiences instilled discipline, teamwork, and leadership skills from a young age.
He began his yachting career in 2024 on private vessels, and is currently a Deckhand onboard his first charter yacht M/Y NO BAD IDEAS.
Since starting in yachting, he has cruised extensively between Fort Lauderdale, the Bahamas, and the Caribbean. While he enjoys all the destinations he has visited, the Caribbean stands out for its rich history, and South Africa remains his favorite place, as there is no better place than home.
Kyle loves to help everyone on the team and strives to keep the boat in the best shape possible, to make guest feel safe, with his best quality being a can-do mindset and brining a smile to everyone’s faces, while creating memories
they’ll never forget.
His long-term goal is to become a Captain and run his own vessel one day. Outside of yachting, he hopes to build a healthy and happy family of his own.
In his personal time, Kyle enjoys hiking, water sports, and all active outdoor activities. He’s a dedicated sports enthusiast and is happy to teach any ball game or sporting skill to others.
His life motto is “100% or nothing, why do something half way?”
