Previous Yachts: M/Y NOOR (24m), M/Y QUEEN SOUTH (38m), M/Y ARIELA (55m)
Interests: Travelling, exploring different cultures, camping, off roading.
Karen has been employed in the food industry for over 20 years now. She started her career in Cape Town where she worked in numerous institutions from small deli’s to fine dining establishments. Every experience has been a challenge and a learning curve for her but it has also given her the opportunity to work with all types of cuisines and methods of cooking. It was only when a friend told her about the yachting industry and encouraged her to take the leap that she actually did. She has now been in the yachting industry since 2017 and hasn’t looked back since. She has worked with numerous nationalities catering for all sorts of palates and dietary requirements. She thrives on meeting the guests and crew satisfaction. She also loves it when guests come to see her in the galley while busy prepping so be sure to pop in!
Karen Gartoff
Chef
Previous yachts: M/Y ASTRA (55m), M/Y GLOBAL (79m), M/Y MORE (45m), M/Y ROYAL ROMANCE ( 93m)
Interests: Kite surfing, fitness, paddle boarding, scuba diving, arts
Duane has worked in a variety of industries, such as owning his own landscaping business, working as a financial advisor, and even owning his own gym for seven years. Prior to yachting, he was even a professional athlete, representing South Africa in Ultimate Force Challenge (UFC) playing first world champions. He strives to create a positive working environment wherever he goes, which makes him a stellar member of the ELENI crew. His famous quote is “you are never too old and never too weak to achieve a dream or goal!”
Duane Marshall
Deckhand
Previous Yachts: M/Y MYLO (37m), M/Y VENI VIDI VICI (40m), M/Y 2 LADIES (47m), M/Y GANESH A (29m)
Interests: Diving, dancing, droning, jet skiing.
Arthur grew up in Holland in and around the water. At the age of six he moved to Nieuwkoop where his passion for the ocean only grew as he was on the water every day and sailing optimists on a regular basis. It was in 2007 however whilst he was serving in the Dutch Army when he saw ECLIPSE in Bremen and he fell in love with the idea of being on the water and making a living out of it. He has since worked a number of years on board both charter and private yachts all around the world climbing the ranks along the way. With brilliant engineering skills and having previously worked in a shipyard also, he is a very versatile Captain and a real asset to the ELENI team.
Arthur Philipsen
Captain
Previous Yachts: M/Y SHAKE N BAKE (50m)
Interests/Languages: Slalom skiing, mountain biking, being in the mountains. Swedish (native), English (good)
Maja was born and raised in Sweden. Having studied Business, Administration and Management, she decided to pursue her dream of going travelling. This lead her to travel for three months through six different countries in Asia. It was in 2020 however when she randomly discovered the yachting industry after spending a few days on a catamaran and she thought the staff there just had the best jobs in the world. After a bit of google searching, she found some job positions and this is where her yachting career started.
Maja Henriksen
Chief steward/ess
Previous Yachts: M/Y ODYSSEY (33m), M/Y LEGENDE (35m), M/Y MEDUSSA (30m), M/Y DA MOON (30m)
Interests/Languages: Watersports, cross fit, netball, footballl, cooking, rugby
Lily has spent the majority of her life in the UAE with her family. With a strong background in hospitality, Lily has experience working as a waitress, bartender and mixologist. More recently, she has turned to yachting and taken her hand to both cheffing and deck work, alongside being a Stewardess. She thrives on creating the very experience for any guests and looks forward to creating a very memorable holiday for them.
Lily Den Hertog
Stewardess
Previous Yachts: M/Y LUCY (37m), M/Y AFON (30m), M/Y INMOCEAN (41m), M/Y FALCON II (38m)
Interests/Languages: Travelling, engineering. English, Russian & Ukrainian
Maksym has been in the marine industry since 2009, initially working on passenger ships before eventually moving to yachting working on both private and charter yachts. Alongside his yachting work, he has also been studying at the Admiral Makarov National Shipbuilding University studying Ship Power Plants and Equipment. With a genuine passion for engineering, Maksym absolutely loves what he does.
Maksym Penatii
Chief engineer
Joined M/Y ELENI in 2025
Interests: Hiking, water sports, reading, formula One, swimming, field hockey
Prior to joining the yachting industry, Jemima worked as a PA, before then moving on to work as a marketing executive. After a more exciting pace for life however she went on to do her YachtMaster Offshore courses before eventually deciding to join the yachting industry. A proactive and hands-on individual, Jemima will ensure that ELENI is always in tip top shape and delivering exceptional service to both owners and guests.
Jemima Iveson
Deckhand