Previous yachts
» M/Y WHEELS (76m), M/Y PLAN B (73m), M/Y AMARA (58m)
A South African yachtsman with over 18 years of experience under his belt, Philip is recognized for his strong leadership, calm decision-making, and dedication to safety and guest experience. He has led crews on passages across the North and Baltic Seas, Mediterranean, Indian Ocean, Caribbean, South and North America, and completed both Suez and Panama Canal transits.
Before joining yachting in 2007, Philip studied Accounting and was a Charter Accountant.
An avid hiker, golfer, and gym enthusiast, he is also the proud father of twin boys.
Philip Howell Papenfus
Captain
Previous yachts
» S/Y MALTESE FALCON (88m), M/Y YASMINE OF THE SEA (83m), M/Y NORTH STAR (65m)
Born and raised in Mallorca, Spain, Lizzie started her love for yachting over two years ago. With high standards and a meticulous eye for detail, she creates an unforgettable guest experience, ensuring that everyone feels truly cared for and at home.
As a second stewardess, she is committed to deliver seamless service, attention to detail, and a warm, welcoming presence on board.
Outside of yachting, she is passionate about baking sweet treats, horse riding and a big fan of travelling and exploring the world.
Lizzie Austin
Stewardess
Previous yachts
» M/Y DRAGONFLY (142m), M/Y LADY JORGIA (115m), M/Y FLAG (62.3m)
Originally from the coastal village of Campbeltown, Scotland, Kevin began his maritime career with P&O Nedlloyd, gaining global experience in commercial shipping before earning his 2nd Engineer Unlimited Licence on Scottish-Irish ferries.
He transitioned into yachting over a decade ago and has since worked on some of the industry's top vessels. Kevin was recently promoted to Chief Engineer on FLAG, where he led the engineering team through busy charter seasons and complex technical operations.
With a calm, can-do attitude and strong technical expertise, Kevin ensures BIJIN runs smoothly and safely.
Outside of engineering, he's an avid adventurer who enjoys all kinds of sports – on land, in water, and on snow.
Kevin Sih
Chief engineer
Previous yachts
» M/Y REDEMPTION (70m), M/Y WHITE STAR (50m), M/Y DANICA (50m), M/Y LAUREN V (32m)
Originally from the Basque Country in the South West of France, Marco is an experienced yacht and villa chef with 15+ years in fine dining, luxury villas, hotels, and six years on yachts up to 70m. Reliable, calm and professional.
Passionate about French, Mediterranean and Asian cuisine (Japanese and Thai), he fell in love with a Japanese woman in Tokyo and married her in 2012. They now have a wonderful French-Japanese family and a lovely child together.
Jean-Marc Mondonnet
Head Chef
Previous yacht
» M/Y PROMISE.D (65m), M/Y KATINA (60m), M/Y LUMIR (37m)
Originally from Upper Hutt, New Zealand, Edward grew up in a large family of six, where his passion for the outdoors and sports first took root. After 18 years in New Zealand, he moved to the United Kingdom, where he spent seven years working as a coach before coaching professional rugby for three years.
Following his rugby career, Edward transitioned into yachting, bringing with him a strong work ethic, discipline, and a team-oriented mindset. His yachting experience spans an impressive range of destinations, from Hong Kong to Singapore, across the east coast of Australia – where exploring the Great Barrier Reef stands out as a highlight, and in the Caribbean before embarking on a four-month backpacking adventure through South America.
Now joining BIJIN, Edward combines his sporting background and love for adventure with a commitment to excellence in service. Enthusiastic and energetic, he thrives in both on-deck operations and guest interaction, ensuring every experience onboard is both seamless and memorable.
Edward Hounsell
Deckhand
Previous yachts
» M/Y CARPE DIEM (58m), M/Y TATIANA (44m)
Malaika is a positive and energetic stewardess from New Zealand, bringing a strong background in cocktail bartending and fine dining to her role. Her experience allows her to deliver a seamless and personalized approach to guest service, ensuring every guest feels well cared for.
Renowned for her warm and approachable nature, Malaika fosters a welcoming atmosphere onboard while maintaining the highest standards of professionalism.
Her passion for hospitality, combined with her love for the sea and her keen attention to detail, guarantees that every charter experience is both enjoyable and unforgettable.
Malaika Story
Stewardess
Previous yachts
» M/Y TAIBA (56m), M/Y SUSSURRO (50m), M/Y CYAN (49m), M/Y AMADEUS I (44m)
Ewan hails from the Wirral, a small peninsula located just across the River Mersey from Liverpool, the iconic home of the Beatles.
After completing his education, he decided to embark on an entirely new adventure by taking a position at a boat rental company in Cyprus. This experience sparked his passion for the yachting industry, prompting him to take a leap of faith and pursue a career in it.
Seven years later, Ewan has accumulated a wealth of experience working on several charter vessels. He has assisted high-profile guests by providing security during their shore excursions and offering any help needed.
Now serving as Chief Officer, Ewan's ultimate goal is to become a captain. Known for his positive attitude and friendly nature, he’s always ready to answer questions or fulfill any requests, all with a welcoming smile.
Ewan Baker
First Officer
Previous yachts
» M/Y OCTOPUS (126m), M/Y ANTELOPE IV (43m)
Matt, a British native from Eastbourne, United Kingdom, is an experienced and adventurous professional with a passion for yachting and exploration. After earning an NVQ Level three in Vehicle Repair and Maintenance, he transitioned to the maritime world, combining his love for travel with a career at sea. Boasting over 25 years experience in engineering disciplines.
His notable achievements include the retrieval of the HMS Hood bell, a historic naval artifact, and participating in the discovery of the WW2 flagship Musashi in the Philippines while aboard the prestigious M/Y OCTOPUS. These accomplishments highlight his dedication to maritime history and technical expertise.
Known for his attention to detail and commitment to self-improvement, Matt exemplifies professionalism and excellence in his field.
Mathew Hobbs
Chief engineer
Previous yacht
» M/Y LOON (67m)
» M/Y OCEAN DREAMWALKER 3 (47m)
» M/Y OKKO (41m)
Growing up on the southern coast of South Africa, André developed a lifelong passion for the ocean, which he now shares by creating unforgettable and exhilarating experiences for guests on the water.
As an experienced divemaster and watersports enthusiast, André enjoys helping guests of all ages explore the freedom and excitement of the ocean. His career has taken him to some of the world’s most iconic yachting destinations, including the Mediterranean, South East Asia, the Maldives, Africa and the Red Sea amongst others.
When not leading activities in the water, André plays a vital role in the engine room of motor yacht BIJIN, supporting the chief engineer and ensuring everything runs smoothly behind the scenes.
André is committed to advancing his career the yachting industry, with the goal of becoming a certified Engineering Officer.
André Vegter
Engineer
Previous yachts
» M/Y NERO (90m)
Hailing from Aotearoa, New Zealand, Angelo brings a strong sense of professionalism, passion, and a dedication to high-end service in his role as Lead Deckhand on board M/Y BIJIN. With experience on both M/Y NERO and a private sailing yacht, Angelo has had the privilege of navigating some of the world’s most stunning destinations, including the Greek Islands and the South of France.
Angelo’s extensive background in high-end client relations, honed during a previous career in brand design, equips him with a keen understanding of service excellence. He takes great pride in delivering the highest level of service to guests, ensuring their needs are met with precision and care.
A committed sports enthusiast, Angelo is always ready to engage in any activity, both on and off the water, further enhancing the experience for those onboard.
Angelo Wells
Bosun