Hailing from Durban, South Africa, Mike is always up for something new and adventurous. He is a true waterman, due to the fact that his mother told him to go play outside so she could hear herself think and save her wooden floors.
Mike is super active and a natural in the water; he progressed rapidly through the competitive circuits, always surfing, lifeguarding, and sailing his youth away on the fastest, most overpowered kit he could find, pushing the limits on anything he got his hands on. Mike’s competitive sailing background ultimately led him to the yachting industry through high-performance skiff sailing in Europe.
Mike Dickenson
Bosun
Christina grew up on the Rhode Island coast and has been lucky enough to call the ocean home since the start. After graduating from college with degrees in Sociology and Communications, she combined these with her hotel management experience and love for travel to pursue yachting.
Her resourcefulness and ‘can-do’ attitude mean she’s got what it takes to get the job done and always put a smile on her guests’ faces. With an appetite for adventure and staying active, she loves to ski, surf, hike, and teach yoga. But her favourite pastime is discovering a new city through the lens of her vintage film camera. At home, she’s the chef and bartender of the house, serving hearty meals and pairing them with crafty cocktails and wine for friends and family.
Christina Imbriglio
Stewardess
Yentl grew up in the South African countryside surrounded by the ocean, mountains, and forests. She has always liked to spend time in the great outdoors. After graduating from Stellenbosch University in 2017 with an Honours degree in Marketing, she decided to seek adventure in Europe and joined yachting.
She has crossed many oceans and explored foreign shores during her time at sea, a highlight being visiting Patagonia and rounding Cape Horn in 2022. When she’s not on board, you will find her hiking up a mountain, curled up with a book, or sewing up a storm.
Yentl Heymann
Stewardess
A captain who loves to get the sails up, especially on a boat with the capabilities of Aquijo. He says he is well organised, with a ‘can do’ attitude, with an eye for detail and planning ahead wherever possible. Gerhard comes from Pretoria, South Africa, a very long way away from any ocean or water.
He has made sure that he mastered the art of looking like he knows what he is doing in order to get him from the bush to the water. Originally having studied Economics at Stellenbosch University, Gerhard decided that spending his time sailing on other people’s boats would be much better than running a big multi-national company. He holds an MCA 3000-tonne Master Unlimited license, so it seems he really does know what he’s doing!
Gerhard Veldsman
Captain
Being from California, Tristan is a very outdoorsy person. He enjoys rock climbing
whenever and wherever he can, as well as mountain biking and travelling.
He is most certainly a cross-fit nerd and will always be setting the crew new fitness challenges (that he knows nobody will be able to beat him on). Tristan has a very dry sense of humour and is also part of the prankster department.
Tristan Beault
Captain
Ben hails from a family of boat builders and has sailed with his family since he was a small child. Having worked as a mast manufacturer for six years on the Gold Coast, Australia, Ben joined the yachting industry in 2007.
He then spent six years working on board S/Y Adix, followed by nearly three years on S/Y Kokomo, and six years on board S/Y Red Dragon, which was based in the Mediterranean and Caribbean seas. In and out of the work environment, Ben’s passion is for sailing and working on his house. He also loves to visit new places and takes any opportunity to travel.
Ben Carwardine
First Officer
Stuart comes from the southeast of England, where he started sailing out of the Hamble on 30-40ft racer cruisers, participating in weekend racing and gaining his Yacht Masters. He went on to spend two years in Southampton, studying Yacht Design and boatbuilding.
After completing his studies at the age of 18, Stuart decided to go to sea and has been there ever since. Over twenty years later, Stuart now holds his Master
Stuart Laurie
First Officer
Rob has been on board Aquijo since the build and certainly feels like the backbone of the vessel. If you like rugby, he is your man.
Having been a rugby player in his younger years, he can be almost as opinionated about a game of rugby as about anything else. There’s only one other thing that tops his love of rugby, and that is most certainly the love he has for his wife and beautiful children.
Rob Vadas
Chief engineer
Charles is from Brittany, France. He started working at sea at 18 following initial marine engineering training. He has sailed almost all over the world and was a commercial sailor before entering the yachting world.
Charles spent the last ten years in the Pacific islands, such as French Polynesia and New Caledonia, and has recently returned to France with his family to embark on some home projects. His previous yachts were MY Sycara V and Titania.
Charly Mooz
Engineer
From an early age, Marnus was found dismantling computers and electronics and always had a keen interest in engineering and problem-solving.
In his time off, he likes to go surfing, wakeboarding, and diving. He also can’t keep away from his tools and enjoys working on his cars and bikes.
Marnus Van Schoor
Engineer