Previous Yachts
» M/Y FAST & FURIOUS (44m)
» M/Y A+ (34m)
» M/Y FANTASEA (31m)
Languages
» English, Afrikaans and Dutch
Therese grew up near the convergence of the Atlantic and Indian oceans, where her coastal upbringing fostered a natural affinity for the sea. This connection to the ocean, combined with her desire to explore the world, led her to enter the yachting industry in 2023. Since beginning her maritime career, she has developed a genuine passion for the industry and all aspects of life at sea. Her enthusiasm for travel and discovery has turned into a deep appreciation for her chosen profession. Therese approaches her role with dedication and commitment, continuously seeking to expand her knowledge and skills within the yachting industry while embracing the unique opportunities that come with working on board luxury vessels.
Therese Oertel
Stewardess
Interests/Languages
» Restoring vintage motorbikes & Land Rovers
» Snowboarding
» English, French and Italian
British by nationality, raised in France, and now based in Italy, Ashley brings a rich, hands-on background in marine engineering and a calm, professional presence to his role. He grew up in the industry, helping out in his father's marine engineering company from an early age. What began as lending a hand in his free time soon became a formal eight-year training period, where he gained in-depth experience working on hydraulics, PLCs, and mechanical systems aboard commercial and private vessels.
After transitioning into yachting as a crew member, Ashley quickly built a reputation for reliability, deep technical knowledge, and a quiet confidence that keeps the yacht running smoothly, even behind the scenes. He thrives on solving complex problems and maintaining high operational standards across all onboard systems.
When off duty, Ashley is passionate about restoring vintage motorbikes and Land Rovers, riding motorcycles, and spending time in the mountains snowboarding. He has a particular love for Italian motorcycles, drawn to their character, craftsmanship, and engineering style – a passion that fits perfectly with his life in Italy and his eye for precision mechanics.
Ashley Samuel
Chief engineer
Previous Yachts
» M/Y FANTASEA (50m)
» M/Y PUMPKIN (50m)
» M/Y FAST & FURIOUS (45m)
» M/Y FIORENTE (38m)
» M/Y A+ (34m)
Interests/Languages
» Spending time with family
» Sustainable architecture
» Reading
» Photography
» Jogging
» Road biking
» Swimming
» Pilates
» English (fluent), Italian (native), French (fluent) and Spanish
Captain David brings over 25 years of experience on the water, leading both motor and sailing yachts across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and beyond. With a calm, confident approach and a warm smile, David ensures every guest feels at home on board while maintaining the highest standards of safety, service, and comfort.
Throughout his career, David has captained a wide range of luxury yachts, overseen new builds and major refits, and led successful charter seasons for repeat clients. Whether cruising the French Riviera or hosting guests during world-class events like the Monaco Grand Prix, his focus is always on delivering a smooth, memorable experience.
Fluent in English, French, and Italian, David is an excellent communicator and a natural leader. His friendly, composed presence creates a relaxed on board atmosphere – one where guests can truly unwind.
A lifelong waterman, David is also a two-time Italian national rowing champion and enjoys staying active through swimming, cycling, and exploring the outdoors. His passion for the sea, attention to detail, and commitment to guest satisfaction make him a true asset to FORTITUDE 1.
David Piardi
Captain
Previous Yachts
» MOKA (42m)
» HORIZON (41m)
» PAULA & BIEL (40m)
» MONARA (25m)
» ISLAS CHAFARINAS (17m)
Interests/Languages
» Skiing
» Travelling
» English and Spanish
Estefania grew up in the mountain town of Bariloche, Patagonia and spent over 15 years as a professional ski instructor, chasing winter seasons across the globe. With a background in primary education and special needs teaching, she brings a unique combination of discipline, patience, and energy to her maritime role. Since discovering yachting, she has dedicated herself to professional development within the industry, cruising extensively through the Mediterranean and Caribbean over the past five years.
During her time at sea, Estefania has developed strong skills in navigation and watersports while maintaining her commitment to continuous learning and growth. Known for her positive, team-focused attitude, she excels at creating unforgettable experiences for guests both on and off the water. Her passion for discovering new destinations and her natural ability to connect with people make her a valuable addition to any crew.
Estefania Hoffmann
First Officer
Previous Yachts
» Costa Cruises
» M/Y SARAH (62m)
» M/Y SARASTAR (60m)
» M/Y WILLOW (42m)
Interests/Languages
» Sports and exercising
» Portuguese, English, Italian and Spanish
Bruna was born and raised in a small town near São Paulo, Brazil. Although she initially dreamt of working in the airline industry, she discovered a deep love for the sea and, in 2015, began her maritime journey aboard a Costa Cruises ship. Her passion for travel and hospitality took her to Lisbon, Portugal, where she spent two years working as a bartender and waitress at various bars and rooftops. In 2017, Bruna moved to the Italian coast and launched her career in yachting, bringing joy to guests and helping create unforgettable memories. In her free time, Bruna enjoys staying active through sports and exercise, always striving to maintain a healthy body and mind. Known for her positivity and warm energy, she loves making people smile and is dedicated to ensuring guests have the best possible experience on board. Now in her third summer season with the owners, Bruna looks forward to welcoming guests on board and making their stay truly special.
Bruna Quadros
Chief steward/ess
Previous Yachts
» M/Y UM ALHOUL (71m)
» M/Y AL ANOUD (35m)
» M/Y KATARA III (31m)
Interests/Languages
» Exploring new places
» Crocheting
» Reading
» English and conversational Russian
Tatiana is from Bath, England and, after finishing school, spent time travelling and working in high-end events and restaurants, as well as working as an au-pair in Moscow. Yachting came up in conversation several times along the way, which eventually sparked her curiosity and led her to pursue a career in the industry. Since then, she has worked exclusively on private yachts, gaining experience in all areas of the interior, including service, housekeeping and laundry, on board vessels cruising throughout the Mediterranean and Indian Ocean. She enjoys the varied nature of interior work and brings a creative, detail-orientated approach to her role. She spent childhood summers dinghy sailing on the Solent, where her dad taught her to sail. Outside of work, Tatiana enjoys being outdoors, exploring new places, hiking, crocheting and reading. She’s excited to join FORTITUDE 1 for its first season and looks forward to welcoming you on board!
Tatiana Metcalfe
Stewardess
Previous Yachts
» M/Y SIRAN (67m)
» M/Y IL VAGABONDO (65m)
Interests/Languages
» Snorkelling
» Skating
» Diving
» Paddle sports
» Football
» English and Portuguese
Jared hails from Johannesburg, South Africa, where regular trips to the coasts of Mozambique and South Africa sparked a lifelong love for the ocean. After a stint in the corporate world, he transitioned from boardrooms to boats and hasn't looked back since. With a Yachtmaster Offshore certification and three years of experience cruising the Mediterranean, Jared is a hands-on, easy-going deckhand who excels at everything from washdowns and tender operations to launching watertoys and coordinating guest excursions. He brings energy and initiative to all his responsibilities and has ambitions to pursue his Officer of the Watch (OOW) and dive instructor qualifications to further expand his maritime skill set. When off duty, Jared enjoys snorkelling, skating, diving, paddle sports, and football. Known for his friendly demeanour and positive attitude, he adds enthusiasm and a positive energy to any crew dynamic.
Jared Meissner Raposo Pereira
Chase Boat Captain
Previous Yachts
» M/Y ZAZOU (65m)
» M/Y SONISHI (40m)
Interests/Languages
» Freediving
» Classic cars
» English
Sam hails from the small coastal town of Whangamata, New Zealand, where fishing, diving, and surfing were part of everyday life growing up. With a degree in Engineering and several years of hands-on experience in the construction industry, he made the leap into yachting to combine his technical skills with his love for the ocean – and hasn’t looked back. Since joining the industry, Sam has built a reputation as a dependable, versatile deckhand/engineer. He’s confident with tender driving, watertoy setups, general deck maintenance, and assisting below deck with mechanical systems and troubleshooting. Always calm under pressure and ready to muck in, Sam brings a practical mindset and a can-do attitude to every task. Off duty, he enjoys freediving, classic cars, and anything involving the water. Friendly, grounded, and easy to get along with, Sam is a valued member of the crew who’s always happy to lend a hand and share a story.
Sam Mason
Deckhand
Previous Yachts
» S/Y ZEFIRA (49m)
» M/Y MAC TOO (39m)
» M/Y MY WAY (36m)
» M/Y CAIA S (36m)
» M/Y IDLE (32m)
» M/Y X NOI (30m)
Interests/Languages
» English, Italian and Spanish
Originally from Genoa, Italy, Alessandro relocated to Spain in the early 2000s after completing his studies. It was there that he discovered his true passion for cooking and made the decision to pursue it as a professional career. Alessandro entered the yachting industry in 2010 and has since gained extensive experience provisioning and cooking across the globe, including regions such as Asia, the Middle East, the Mediterranean, and the Caribbean. From managing high-profile events like the Monaco Grand Prix to sourcing ingredients from local markets in Sri Lanka, he has developed a strong ability to adapt to diverse environments and culinary demands. With a solid foundation in Mediterranean cuisine, he specialises in fresh, healthy, and refined dishes that emphasise simplicity and elegance. Alessandro’s culinary approach is rooted in quality ingredients and a deep understanding of balanced, flavourful cooking across various international styles.
Alessandro Del Gaudio
Chef