Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, he studied Electrical Engineering tertiary while part time bartending and helping in his father’s picture framing business. He had not travelled further than South Africa prior to starting his career on the yachts. The ocean has always been a loved escape from the city rush and since finding this industry he has never looked back.
He has had plenty of adventure on the sea, some more full of adrenaline than others. He is excited to continue to learn and grow within this industry and to assist you have a lovely time on board BIRUBI.

Rikus Stewart
Bosun
More information coming soon.

Shane Ford
First Officer
Cole was born in Cape town and has spent his whole life surrounded by the ocean. From an early age he was involved in surf lifesaving, deep sea fishing, diving, surfing, kitesurfing and sailing. His passion for the sea is like no other and finds peace in the presence of nature and good company. Before yachting Cole worked as a sailing tour guide and rescue boat operator in the Bahamas.
He wishes you a warm welcome and hopes you enjoy your time on board.

Cole Bacon
Deckhand
Hailing from Toulouse, France, the 'Pink City,' Kyle has balanced a lifelong passion for engineering with a boundless curiosity. His inquisitive nature led him to explore the world at a young age, developing skills as a sailor alongside his professional engineering pursuits. A dedicated guitarist, he brings a harmonious blend of precision and passion to all his endeavors.

Kyle Courtney
Chief engineer
With over 15 years of experience in the yachting industry, our Chief Engineer brings extensive technical knowledge and a strong passion for life at sea. Coming from a background in sailing and water sports, including kitesurfing, he combines hands-on maritime experience with a deep understanding of yacht systems to ensure a safe, smooth, and enjoyable journey for all guests.
Jos welcome you on board and hope you have a great experience with us on BIRUBI.
Previous yachts
» M/Y SOLANDGE (85m)
» M/Y JESTER (70m)
» M/Y SPECTRE (63m)

Jos Donohoe
Chief engineer
Henry has been a professional chef for over 17 years, including seven years at sea working on a range of yachts from 40–90 metres, as well as in private residences. Born in London, he currently resides in Athens, Greece. He began his career in seafood restaurants before progressing to hotels and fine dining establishments across the UK, including central London. During this time, he earned two AA Rosettes and gained valuable experience working in Michelin-starred restaurants. His travels around the world have allowed him to learn a variety of local cuisines and culinary techniques, further fuelling his passion for food, particularly baking and patisserie. In his spare time, Henry enjoys keeping fit through cycling and regular workouts. He loves to travel, escape to the mountains whenever possible, and is an enthusiastic skier. Exploring different cultures and experiencing authentic cuisine from around the world are among his greatest pleasures. A passionate and personable individual, Henry enjoys conversations about health, wellbeing, and all things wholesome. He looks forward to creating memorable dining experiences for guests on board BIRUBI.
Previous yachts
» M/Y CLOUDBREAK (78m)
» M/Y TANUSHA (62m)

Henry Tydeman
Chef
Emily grew up in Liverpool and joined the yachting industry over three years ago. Her passion on board is creating innovative cocktails tailored to each guest’s preferences and designing beautiful table settings that bring every meal to life. She takes great pride in ensuring everything around the boat is beautifully presented and that operations run smoothly behind the scenes. Whether guests prefer a lively, sociable atmosphere or complete privacy and relaxation, Emily adapts to their style and works to make them feel completely at home throughout their stay. Outside of work, Emily loves hiking, spending time at the beach or discovering new restaurants.
Previous yachts
» M/Y TALISMAN MAITON (54m)
» M/Y THALIA (50m)
» S/Y BOMBAY (50m)
» M/Y ATLAS (38m)

Emily Stanley
Stewardess
Born and raised in Jacksonville, Summer spent two years living aboard her family’s 37-foot sailboat, travelling over 6,000 miles across the Caribbean and immersing herself in diverse cultures. Highlights of her journey included Warderick Wells, Dominica, Grenada, and Bonaire. This experience sparked her passion for travel and inspired her interest in the sailing and yachting industry. She has extensive experience working with children, having taught dance and modelling classes, as well as swimming lessons while lifeguarding for the city of Jacksonville.

Summer Howell
Deckhand
Emily grew up in Durban, South Africa, where she completed her degree in Psychology. However, after gaining experience working part-time in restaurant hospitality, she discovered a deep passion for the yachting industry and decided to pursue it full-time. With a love for music and a genuine enthusiasm for connecting with people, Emily thrives on bringing joy to those around her and creating positive experiences wherever she goes.
Emily looks forward to welcoming you on board BIRUBI.
Previous yachts
» M/Y ELEMENTS (80m)
» M/Y SUN LIFE (30m)

Ellen Ohlin
Stewardess
Russ was born and raised in Cape town, South Africa. After falling in love with sailing on the Atlantic ocean, in 2016 he decided to take a leap and move to Palma, Mallorca. His yachting career took off, and he continued to sail the high seas.
Prior to yachting, Russ worked in the sustainable energy industry and has always been environmentally conscious. His love for the ocean not only lead him to sailing but also sparked his passion for water sports including surfing, bodyboarding and diving.
Russ is looking forward to welcoming you on board BIRUBI.
» M/Y SOUL (50m)
» M/Y IMPROMPTU (50m)
» M/Y PICK UP (46m)

Russ Castello
First Officer