Our talented Belgian chef found a love for cooking at an early age, helping his mum as she cooked for his large family, he quickly developed an appreciation for the art of cooking. Although he first trained as a service engineer, his passion for food led him to culinary school and a career combining food with his other love—travel.
For the past decade, Sam has worked around the world, drawing inspiration from the diverse flavours and ingredients he encounters. A key moment in his journey came while living with an Italian family, sparking his love for Mediterranean cuisine, particularly in cooking seafood. Living near a forest in Belgium also inspired him to perfect game dishes with help of his hunting neighbours.
Known for being calm and level-headed, Sam thrives in the fast-paced world of yacht charters, creating vibrant, flavourful dishes that combine bold colours, tastes, and aromas. His passion for exploration, personal joie de vivre, and excellent techniques have made him a popular chef on charter yachts for the past 10 years. During the offseason, Sam hones his skills by working in high-end restaurants in the French Alps and Austria, consistently delivering exceptional culinary experiences for his guests
Joined the team September 2023.
Previous charter yachts: S/Y EUGENIA 7, S/Y ARAGON, S/Y CROCODAILE DADDY, S/Y IMAGINE HEAVEN, S/Y STARDUST
“Manifestation is the key to realising your dreams! ”

Sam Kamina Ntenda Musangu
Chef
Corey began his yachting career in 2017 as a deckhand on the 55m UMBRA, which took him all around Asia and Australia. This experience solidified his belief that a life at sea was his future. From there, he worked hard to earn his Officer of the Watch qualification. Now, with over seven years of experience sailing across the globe on a variety of vessels—from Antarctic survey ships to busy charter yachts—Corey thrives on the adventure and opportunities that yachting brings.
“A boat is the only place where you can wake up in the morning and say, 'Where am I?’ and it’s not a problem.“
A passionate diver, Corey holds his PADI Dive Master certification and spends his spare time exploring both above and below the waterline. Ambitious and eager to progress within the industry, Corey is fully dedicated to ensuring you have the trip of a lifetime.
Joined the team Summer 2024
Previous yachts: M/Y BAD COMPANY SUPPORT (45m), M/Y HANS HANSON (26m), M/Y FAR FROM IT, M/Y DRIFTWOOD (55m), M/Y ACALA (31m), M/Y UMBRA (55m)

Corey Browne
First Officer
Diana graduated with a Bachelor of Science in International Travel and Tourism Management and began her career with a travel company. However, her adventurous spirit soon inspired her to explore these exotic destinations firsthand, leading her to train as an airline assistant. In 2019, she embraced a new opportunity in the yachting industry and hasn’t looked back since.
With a naturally positive and bubbly personality, Diana loves meeting new people and her warmth immediately puts others at ease. She also has a passion for music and keeps fit by swimming whenever she can.
Hardworking, reliable, and always with a smile, Diana’s positive energy is sure to brighten any day. Her commitment to excellent service makes her an invaluable part of the crew, dedicated to ensuring every guest enjoys the trip of a lifetime.
Joined team in 2018.
"If you can dream it, you can do it!"

Diana Sarreal
Stewardess
Timi has been an invaluable part of Douce France since 2016, bringing both experience and dedication to her role. Before joining the team, she worked as Service Crew in the Philippines for 18 months and later as a waitress in Singapore.
Timi is deeply committed to providing exceptional service, ensuring guests enjoy a memorable experience on board. She truly loves the yachting lifestyle, especially the chance to explore new places and be surrounded by stunning scenery. Known for her hardworking nature and her belief in delivering excellence as standard, Timi’s friendly approach also makes her a pleasure to work with and a fantastic team player.
In her free time, Timi enjoys playing volleyball, reflecting her energy and strong sense of teamwork. In quieter moments, you’ll find her curled up with a good book. Approachable and open, Timi is dedicated to ensuring every guest has the very best experience onboard.
Joined the team in 2016.
“Life is a shipwreck,but we must not forget tossing in the lifeboats.” – Voltaire

Timi Bandong
Chief steward/ess
Arnaud started his diving career back in 2012 on the sunny island of Malta. After gathering loads of experience around the Mediterranean, he took things further by moving to the Indian Ocean, where he worked on sailing liveaboards in the Seychelles and at resorts in the Maldives. In December 2018, he joined the Douce France crew and has been a dedicated part of the team ever since. One of his absolute highlights has been diving in Palau—a dream spot for him with some of the most stunning underwater views he’s ever seen.
Arnaud is easygoing, super attentive, and always happy to help guests explore the wonders of the underwater world. He’s also big on the outdoors, with a love for fishing and cycling. His enthusiasm for sharing new experiences makes him a great asset to the team, and he’s always ready to make each guest’s time on board unforgettable.
Joined the team 2018
“Where there’s a will, there’s a way!”

Arnaud Pelloquin
Deckhand
Meet Miklos, our highly skilled deckhand and experienced Scuba instructor. With over 14 years of professional sailing under his belt, Miklos brings a wealth of knowledge to the team. Since 2011, he has built an impressive resume as a professional Scuba instructor and freelance deckhand, taking on roles such as delivery skipper, maritime security officer, and tender driver.
Always eager to grow, Miklos earned his Officer of the Watch (OOW) qualification in 2023 from Glasgow Nautical Science College. He is known for his professionalism and dedication to safety, ensuring that all guests feel secure and well taken care of. Miklos is excited to help you discover the wonders of underwater exploration. In his spare time, you’ll likely find him diving, capturing stunning underwater photography, or enjoying his love for sailing.
“Do or do not. There is no try” - Yoda, Star Wars

Miklos Csere
Mate
Emile is our energetic and passionate Captain with a love for adventure, both on and off the water. Starting his sailing journey at a young age in small dinghies, his passion for the sea grew along with the size of the boats he sailed. After a career in the merchant fleet, Emile took on the role of Captain aboard a 90ft classic sailing yacht in 2017, eventually joining DOUCE FRANCE in 2020.
His experience is vast, having logged around 35,000 nautical miles on sailing yachts ranging from 30 to 138 feet, across regions including the North Sea, Gulf of Biscay, Baltic Sea, Mediterranean, South Caribbean islands, French Polynesia, and Seychelles. Emile has also raced as a helmsman in the F16 catamaran class from 2010 to 2021 and spent six years prior to that as a Catamaran Sailing Instructor.
Energetic by nature, Emile never sits still for long and even in down time he will be sailing, windsurfing, skiing, hiking, or playing the drums. He’s a natural team player, known for being honest, discreet, and always in a good mood. Always on the move, making sure everything runs smoothly while keeping the atmosphere light and fun.
Joined the team 2020
“Panta Rhei”
– from the teaching of Heraclitus that “everything flows”

Emile De Moor
Captain
Captain Miguel joined the DOUCE FRANCE team with extensive global experience, including a full circumnavigation, giving him a well-rounded expertise. Originally starting his career in the advertising industry, working with agencies like Vitrubio/Leo Burnett and Cathedral, Miguel chose to leave this behind in 2002 to pursue his true passion for sailing. In 2008, he graduated from the Atlantic Fishing Nautical School in Vigo, Pontevedra, as a Higher Technician in Navigation, Fishing, and Maritime Transport. He also holds a Master 500GT and Chief Mate 3000GT. Since then, he has built a solid career in the superyacht industry, starting as a boatswain and working his way up through roles on private and busy charter yachts.
Miguel is passionate about sailing and feels privileged to sail the unique DOUCE FRANCE. He is committed to personal and team growth, thriving on challenges and professional development. In particular, he embraces the innovative technologies that are currently pushing the boundaries in recreational sailing.
In his free time, Miguel enjoys windsurfing, surfing, playing the guitar, working on classic yachts and workshop projects, and immersing himself in sci-fi books and movies.
“The only cost of living is life”

Miguel Ramis
Captain
With over 20 years of experience in the yachting industry, Thibaut is both competent and highly versatile, able to handle any situation with ease. Before joining the yachting world, Thibaut had a solid background in mechanical engineering. However, his passion for watersports and diving led him to pursue a role on board, and in 2002, he began his journey as a deckhand on a motor yacht.
Since then, Thibaut has steadily worked his way up through the ranks, qualifying as both a First Mate and an Engineer. His extensive experience includes managing busy charter yachts, directing yard work, and overseeing yacht construction projects. Thibaut loves the travel aspect of his career and feels privileged to have worked across the globe, completing 12 Atlantic crossings and a Pacific crossing too!
An advanced Scuba diver, Thibaut can often be found exploring the underwater world when he’s not tinkering with an engine. His wide-ranging skills and passion for the sea ensure he is seen as a real asset on board.
Joined the team 2022
"Hold fast!"

Thibaut Donaque
Engineer
Greg started working on boats straight after graduating and has done just about every job there is to do. From deckhand to commercial crew boat captain, from bosun on a cruise ship to chief mate on a superyacht, he eventually found his true passion in engineering. He first joined Douce France in 2006 for a year and, after 10 years exploring different roles, returned in 2016 and has stayed ever since.
His dream destinations are anywhere in the tropical Pacific: Fiji, French Polynesia, the Marshall Islands and the Solomon Islands. There isn’t a Pacific paradise Greg hasn’t been to. Greg is passionate about keeping DOUCE FRANCE in perfect operational condition and cares deeply about the comfort and safety of guests. He’ll do whatever he can to make Douce France feel like home to anyone who steps on board. Outside of yachting, he also has a passion for cooking and travelling.
“The apple never falls far from the tree. ” – trad German saying

Gregory Pannetier
Engineer