Born in the UK and raised on a farm, Toby spent his formative years on
the north Norfolk coast. Aged 15 he was sent out to live with his uncle
in Kenya, and this time in Africa was split between sailing the east-
African coast and playing rugby at school, club, and for the under-21
Kenyan national team.
When Toby turned 18 he moved to France where he spent his time
skiing in the winter and yachting in the summer. By the time he
was 21, Toby had set his mind on a career in yachting and went on to
achieve his Master 3000 certification by the time he was 26.
Toby has extensive experience and many nautical miles under
his proverbial hull from years of cruising the Mediterranean and
Caribbean seas, as well as the Pacific Ocean. He has been at the
helm of Illusion V since 2010 and offers a wealth of knowledge and
renowned charter expertise as a highly experienced professional
seafarer with a lifetime’s passion for yachting.
Toby Boone
Captain
Shaun is very well travelled, but his roots are on a farm in South Africa.
He has had the privilege of working and gaining valuable experience
on some amazing super yachts in his career thus far, and to date one
of these still holds the record for the superyacht to have sailed the
most far north ever!
He has recently completed his Officer of the Watch certification after
5 years in the industry – and without a doubt it has been quite a fun
journey for him so far!
He has a love for the ocean and all animals like no other, and it was his
passion for fishing in particular that initially led him to his choice of a
career on the high seas.
Shaun also enjoys most sports including swinging a golf club, as well
as hunting. With his friendly personality, Shaun will have you feeling
right at home onboard Illusion V in no time.
Shaun Phillips
Second Officer
Lauren is an accomplished individual with a captivating background. Coming from the breath-taking landscapes of New Zealand, Lauren brings a touch of Kiwi hospitality.
With one year’s experience in the yachting industry, she ensures guests feel at home from the moment they arrive.
Beyond the sea, Lauren is a seasoned dancer, having studied at university and graced stages across the globe. This unique blend of professionalism and passion infuses every interaction, making Lauren a valuable member of the crew with her warm presence.
Lauren is also an avid fitness enthusiast and experienced fitness instructor, bringing her dedication to health and wellness on board.
Lauren Oorschot
Stewardess
Born in Paris and raised in South Africa from the age of 4, Garance has
always had a love for adventure and new experiences. After finishing
school, she studied Marketing Management in Stellenbosch before
spending a ski season in Maribel as a Chalet Hostess, this led to her
first yachting job where she built a dynamic and exciting career.
After taking a 10-month break in 2023 to travel and explore even more
of the world, Garance rejoined the yachting industry. Outside of work,
you’ll find her hiking, running, playing padel or golf, swimming in the
ocean or enjoying a good meal, cocktails and a boogie with friends.
Garance Chabanel
Stewardess
With over 10 years in the industry Wally – lovingly nicknamed by his
Illusion V crew – has successfully completed his MCA Master 3000.
Whilst working on yachts, Wally has explored the Arctic, Svalbard,
Norway, The Bahamas, Caribbean, Florida, Sea of Cortez, the
Mediterranean, New Zealand, Australia, and Southeast Asia! Needless
to say, he really enjoys travelling!
Wally is passionate about the environment and wildlife, a passion
that developed during university in South Africa where he studied
Environmental Science and Economics.
He has 16 years of Scuba diving experience and is a certified PADI
advanced diver and free diver. And more recently, Wally has picked
up kite-boarding and drone piloting as hobbies – both of which he
really enjoys.
With his friendly face and welcoming personality, he will happily help
guests with anything they may need during their stay onboard.
Wesley "Wally" Walton
First Officer
Leon was born and raised in Palma, Mallorca. His passion for yachting,
and more specifically engineering, was sparked when a close friend
introduced him to the industry. He went on to complete a 3-year
cadet program in Glasgow, where he developed the knowledge and
skills essential to becoming a capable and confident engineer.
What Leon enjoys most about working as a Marine Engineer is the
opportunity to apply his problem-solving skills on a daily basis.
Combined with the chance to meet amazing people, enjoy great
food, and travel the world, it’s a career he loves.
In his spare time, Leon enjoys running as a way to explore new
places and stay active. He’s also an avid scuba diver and takes every
opportunity to dive whenever he can.
Leon Perry
Engineer
Dylan lives for speed, saltwater, and stamps in his passport. If he’s not
riding waves, he’s chasing checkered flags or diving deep. He collects
adrenaline the way others collect souvenirs. Travel fuels him, and
boredom doesn’t stand a chance.
Thriving on adventure and the pursuit of new experiences, he values
the connections he makes with others who share his passion for the
outdoors.
Dylan Mordaunt
Deckhand
Jacolize, AKA Jax, is a dynamic stewardess from sunny South Africa.
Over the past nine years, she has honed her skills and excelled in
her role as a senior stewardess. Her passion for health and wellness,
combined with a background in interior design, brings a unique
blend of creativity and energy to every aspect of crafting memorable
experiences onboard.
Outside of work, Jax embraces a rich cultural background, having
grown up with two cultures—one side of her family hailing from
Holland. When she’s not taking Pilates classes, diving to depths of 30
meters, or hiking through nature, you’ll likely find her exploring wine
regions across Europe and South Africa’s Western Cape. She’s deeply
passionate about winemaking and is well on her way to completing
her WSET Level 3 in Wine Knowledge.
Cape Town remains her heart’s home, where she cherishes quality
time with family and friends whenever she’s not at sea. After nearly a
decade in yachting, Jax remains dedicated to delivering exceptional
service. Her commitment to excellence, combined with her diverse
skill set and positive energy, ensures a refined and unforgettable
experience onboard Illusion V.
Jacolize Engelbrecht
Stewardess
Aaron stepped aboard his first yacht in 2014, completing a short but
busy charter season as a deckhand on a 70m vessel. After gaining
experience over the following years, he was promoted to Bosun, and
he’s never looked back, working on both private and busy charter
yachts ever since.
A true fitness enthusiast and thrill-seeker, Aaron has already jumped
out of a plane four times and is always on the lookout for his next
skydiving destination. Aside from that, he also enjoys water sports,
clay shooting and photography in his spare time.
Aaron Keogh
Deckhand
Christian has been a Marine Engineer for over 30 years, starting with an apprenticeship in the Royal Navy at age 16.
Following his time in the Royal Navy, Christian joined his first yacht in Antigua, 1999 and has never looked back – circumnavigating the globe several times on both sail and motor yachts.
Born in Manchester, he now lives in the South Downs National Park with his wife Victoria and two young children Iris and Christopher.
An avid sailor and a real thalassophile, Christian splits his time between family life and working on the ocean.
His other great passions in life are automotive engineering – tinkering with his 500hp MK1 Audi TT – and cooking gourmet meals to impress his wife and friends.
Chris runs the engineering department onboard with his rotation counterpart Wes.
Christian Lawson-McKittrick
Chief engineer