Previous Yacht
» M/Y AFTER EIGHT (45m)
Interests
» Reading
» Kickboxing
» Hiking
» Board games
» Video games
Languages
» English (fluent)
» German (conversational)
» Spanish (basic)
Born in Vancouver, Alex’s adventurous upbringing, travelling with her parents, older sister, and twin, sparked a passion for global cuisines. Her experiences living in Australia, New York, and volunteering in South Africa and Nepal - cooking for abandoned children - shaped her love for creating connection through food.
After attending culinary school in Vancouver, Alex trained in a prestigious three Michelin-starred restaurant in New York, mastering classical techniques with a creative twist. Her entry into yachting was bold and unconventional: she confidently introduced herself to a yacht captain as the new chef, and after a successful trial, landed the job despite never having sailed before. Alex then spent three years on a private yacht, where her inventive cuisine earned praise from the family she served. Known for her creativity, she loves developing unique recipes and exploring bold flavour combinations to provide unforgettable dining experiences.
Quick-thinking, positive, and solution-orientated, Alex thrives under pressure, seamlessly managing demanding charters. Off duty, she enjoys kickboxing, hiking, gaming, reading, and music. Her fun, ambitious, and “spicy” personality makes her a cherished member of the HEMISPHERE crew.
Alexandra Wagner
Chef
Previous Yacht
» M/Y AGATA (34m)
Interests
» Tennis
» Baking
» Fitness
» Outdoor activities
» Gel nails
» Travelling
Languages
» English
» Swedish
Originally from the seaside town of Uddevalla, Sweden, Meja brings a natural love for the ocean and a passion for hospitality to her role on board HEMISPHERE. After completing her studies in a technical programme, she entered the yachting industry in pursuit of adventure and meaningful guest experiences.
Meja’s first role was aboard the 34m private AGATA, where she gained valuable experience in housekeeping, guest service, and supporting exterior operations. Her background in spa and restaurant environments has further sharpened her attention to detail and ability to thrive under pressure.
Known for her friendly, positive attitude and creative eye, Meja enjoys adding thoughtful touches to guest areas and ensuring a welcoming atmosphere throughout the yacht. Off duty, she’s passionate about tennis, golf, fitness, and enjoys working on gel nails and small crafts.
Her service-driven mindset and easygoing nature make her a valued addition to the HEMISPHERE team.
Meja Rolén
Stewardess
Previous Yachts
» S/Y ZACA A TE MOANA (43m)
» S/Y ALTAIR (41m)
» S/Y TAKAPUNA (34m)
» S/Y STARDUST (22m)
Interests
» Biking
» Wakeboarding
» Hiking
Languages
» Dutch
» English
» French
» Spanish
» German
After finishing high school in Belgium, Dan returned to South Africa to pursue his scuba diving qualifications. He then moved to Mallorca to continue his instructor courses and discovered the yachting industry.
Having grown up in various coastal cities (Cape Town, Durban, Jeffreys Bay, and Port Elizabeth), Dan always knew that life at sea would be his calling.
When he’s not working, you can find Dan enjoying various outdoor activities such as biking, wakeboarding, or hiking.
Daniel Koch
Chase Boat Captain
Previous Yachts
» M/Y PARAFFIN (63m)
» M/Y ALDABRA (53m)
» S/Y PERSEUS (50m)
» M/Y FAMILY DAY (40m)
Interests
» Rugby
» Paddle boarding
» Jogging
Languages
» English (fluent)
» Afrikaans (fluent)
After finishing high school in England, Johan worked for two years as a production line technician in a car factory, assembling MINI Cooper vehicles. This experience ignited his interest in mechanics. Seeking a change, he decided to pursue a Yachtmaster course, unaware that it would mark the beginning of a whole new career.
Johan embarked on his first yacht delivery from Cape Town to St Lucia and has never looked back. He is a dedicated and hardworking team member, currently working towards his Y4 engineer certification. Johan's love for exploration makes HEMISPHERE’s exciting itinerary a perfect fit for him.
Johan Jonck
Chief engineer
Previous Yachts
» M/Y AMORAZUR II (47m)
» M/Y CHANTAL MA VIE (46m)
» M/Y WHISPERING ANGEL (37m)
» M/Y DYNA-R (37m)
Interests
» Squash
» Golf
» Listening to music
Language
» English
Lee hails from a small village on the south coast near Southampton, England. At the age of 16, he began an apprenticeship in Marine Engineering with the goal of working in the yachting industry. Lee has now been working on board yachts for the past nine years and has greatly enjoyed the opportunities this career has given him to travel and meet new people. He has a strong passion for problem-solving in engineering, and his positive demeanour means he is never disheartened by a challenge!
Lee Rickman
Chief engineer
HEMISPHERE is Fatima’s first yacht!
Interests
» Squash
» Badminton
» Swimming
» Diving
» Classical music
Languages
» Filipo (Bisaya & Tagalog)
» English
Fatima has been an integral part of the interior team since 2016, excelling in all aspects of ensuring guests have a memorable stay on board. She is known for her helpfulness and her ever-present smile as she diligently goes about her duties.
Guests often marvel at her efficiency, wondering if she might be part ninja. Fatima swiftly and discreetly refreshes and beautifies cabins, often before anyone notices she's been there.
Since joining the crew, Fatima has learned to swim and scuba dive. Her growing confidence and passion for the water have led her to seek out increasingly thrilling underwater experiences. While she appreciates the beauty of colorful fish during pretty dives, her true love lies in the excitement of shark dives, feeds, and encounters with large pelagic creatures.
For guests looking for some pampering or quiet time during their stay, Fatima offers massages in the TV room to a few lucky individuals. Trained as a masseuse in 2018, she enjoys providing this service, enhancing the guests' experience whenever the schedule and activities allow.
Fatima Llaban
Stewardess
Previous Yachts
» S/Y GALAXY (38m)
» S/Y CUAN LAW (32m)
Interests
» Watersports
» Travelling
» Naval and Residential architectural design
Meet Gavin, your host, dive guide and captain on board HEMISPHERE. Gavin is an exceptional and safe pair of hands to be entrusted to, whether it is above the water’s surface or below. He has been there since the inception of HEMISPHERE, from the design process, to overseeing the build and captaining HEMISPHERE since 2004; it is safe to say he knows the yacht inside out. Gavin has already completed 2.5 circumnavigations on board HEMISPHERE, and he looks forward to taking guests along to complete her third. Gavin’s lifelong motto - “sometimes you have to step off the beaten path, for the bigger rewards in life” - has served him well, and he has indeed stepped of the beaten path, gathering a wealth of knowledge along the way. His attention to detail and ‘can do’ attitude will ensure that your charter on board is the trip of a lifetime, one that you will want to repeat every year!
When on board, Gavin will not be far away, either leading or overseeing the activities to ensure everything runs smoothly and the guests enjoy the best experience possible. He is always available to discuss the plans for the next day’s cruising. Gavin is meticulous in his planning, but never shies away from a last-minute change, especially when he knows of a nearby pod of dolphins, an opportunity to swim with a humpback whale and her calf, or an early morning fishing trip to land a prize-winning marlin! Gavin’s previous life working on the Great Barrier Reef as a dive instructor means that he enthusiastically helps those of all ages and abilities to dive in the best spots. Gavin has been a PADI instructor for 30 years and he has dived all over the world with an array of guests, ranging from complete novice to instructors, and is able to anticipate and adapt to guests’ individual needs. He is an excellent teacher, and his wealth of knowledge means guests will have a fantastic and safe diving experience. Gavin’s relaxed and friendly demeanour will put guests instantly at ease as you set sail.
Gavin Bladen
Captain
Previous Yachts
» S/Y HEMISPHERE (44m)
» S/Y ARGO (34m)
» M/Y KIRKLAND (34m)
Interests
» Nutrition, fitness and longevity
» Yoga, breathwork and mindfulness
» Enjoying city-walks and sea views
» Cave and trimix diving
Languages
» English (fluent)
» Spanish (basic)
Simon loved the water from an early age (swimmer, lifeguard), despite growing up in the chilly waters of Scotland. He earned a BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology from the University of Glasgow. However, since becoming a dive professional in 2005, he has primarily lived, worked, and travelled on or by the water.
He began sailing in 2013 and first joined HEMISPHERE in 2014 as her dive instructor. Simon has now visited 94 countries, dived in over 30 (though surprisingly not in his home country of Scotland), and run marathons on four continents.
He is excited to return to HEMISPHERE as first mate - this time in a different ocean. He still hopes to dive and run in Antarctica someday!
Simon Livingston
Mate
Previous Yachts
» S/Y EOS (93m)
» M/Y APOGEE (62m)
» M/Y SILENTWORLD (60m)
» M/Y ROMA (60m)
» M/Y ULYSSES (60m)
» M/Y DOUBLE HAVEN (51m)
Interests
» Music and art
Languages
» English (fluent)
» French (fluent)
Kristie brings over a decade of yachting experience to her role on board. Growing up between the stunning islands of Moorea and Hawaii in a Polynesian family, Kristie developed a deep connection to the ocean and a passion for adventure. She began her yachting career at just 18, drawn by the opportunity to explore the world and immerse herself in diverse cultures.
Her extensive experience spans private and charter yachts, where she honed her skills in housekeeping, laundry, table decoration, event planning, and personalised dining experiences.
Known for her positive, hardworking, and passionate demeanour, Kristie is an expert in creating welcoming environments and exceeding guest expectations. On board, she is most often found ensuring every detail is perfect, whether organising activities, assisting in housekeeping, or adding creative touches to table settings.
Off duty, she enjoys music, art, and exploring new creative outlets, which she tries to implement into her role. Kristie’s commitment to excellence makes her an invaluable member of the HEMISPHERE crew, ensuring every guest experience is unforgettable.
Kristie Kelly
Chief steward/ess
Previous Yachts
» M/Y SAMAYA (62m)
» M/Y FREEDOM (42m)
Interests
» Travel
» Wildlife watching
» Photography
Languages
» Portuguese (fluent)
» Spanish (fluent)
» English (fluent)
Jessica, or Jess, is HEMISPHERE’s resident dive instructor and is responsible for guiding guests on their underwater adventures. She is highly skilled at teaching and leading divers of all levels, always prioritising safety while creating a relaxed, enjoyable experience.
After breakfast - or before, for the eager early birds - Jess will have guests’ dive kits prepared and ready for the first dive of the day. With guests often left wanting more, she is always ready to head back out in the afternoon or even organise a night dive for those feeling adventurous.
Jess discovered her love for diving at the age of 15, sparking a lifelong passion for the marine world. She went on to study Marine Biology at university and was actively involved in research and consulting on the impact of fishing gear on marine life in her native country. In 2018, she travelled to Australia to learn English and work on the Great Barrier Reef, deepening her experience in marine conservation and eco-tourism.
Since then, Jess has brought her expertise to the yachting industry, where she thrives on sharing her knowledge and love for the ocean with guests. When she’s not diving, you’ll likely find her hiking through nature or observing wildlife - always seeking connection with the natural world, both above and below the surface.
Jessica Tamires Link
Bosun