Previous yachts: M/Y MAYAN QUEEN (95m), M/Y CONSTELLATION (80m), M/Y HAMPSHIRE II (78m), M/Y BERCO VOYAGER (40m)
Interests: Kitesurfing, MTB, running, swimming, cycling
Mark comes from the small New Zealand town of Rotorua, famous for its world class mountain biking and thermal hot pools which he always makes the most of when back visiting the family. Mark started marine engineering on a 300 m bulk carrier doing iron ore runs between Rotterdam and Rio de Janeiro before moving on to yachts ten years ago. Always looking for the next adventure, Mark is happy to have found his way aboard LA TANIA. When Mark is not on board, he enjoys kitesurfing on beaches all over the world, running and cycling. He enjoys living an active lifestyle and pushing himself to the limits.
Mark Fischer
Chief engineer
Previous yachts: M/Y BEATRIX (50m), M/Y ALADDIN (40m)
Interests: Football, gym training, Formula 1, Wakeboarding, Portuguese
Ben grew up in a small Irish village, Ballitore, where his outdoorsy parents kept him active with horse riding, rugby, and waterskiing. He even competed nationally in waterskiing. After a stint in real estate, Ben followed his urge for something new and joined the yachting scene in 2022. Outside of work, he loves the outdoors, staying fit, hanging out with family and friends, and keeping an eye on the property market as he is keen to start investing and developing on day! In 2023, he hopped aboard LA TANIA, excited for the adventures ahead!
Marcelo Figueria
Deckhand
Previous yachts: M/Y CLICIA (42m), M/Y SWEET DOLL (50m), M/Y SEA JEWEL (52m), M/Y THUNDER 8 (50m), M/Y LADY FIESTA (55m), M/Y LADY MAY (46m)
Interests: Skiing, mountain hiking, football, rugby, watersports, ecology and conservation
David grew up in Connemara on the west coast of Ireland between the mountains and the wild north Atlantic Ocean. While studying Marketing at University in Limerick, he discovered the yachting industry during summer work experience in the South of France. With 26 years in the industry (15 as Captain), he brings a wealth of experience and knowledge from across an exclusive range of private and charter yachts. He knows how to successfully run yachts to the highest standards and cater to the most discerning clientele. David’s calm, professional nature, together with his cruising experience, is a great asset to LA TANIA. He is a great leader who prides himself on providing a fun, relaxing, and safe environment on board. Together with his energetic team, David will ensure that time on board LA TANIA is truly special and memorable.
David lives in France and, when not on board LA TANIA, he loves spending time with his two boys, aged 11 and 13.
David Burke
Captain
Previous yachts: M/Y 2LADIES (47m), M/Y NO STRESS II (50m), M/Y ETERNAL SPARK (50m), M/Y CASCADE I (24m), M/Y EIGHT SEAS (24m), M/Y SYMPHONY (101m)
Interests: Hiking, working out, learning Italian
Joseph is from rural Suffolk, England. After earning his Law (LLB) degree and exploring various career paths throughout his twenties making him a true “Jack of all trades”, he feels fortunate to have found his calling in yachting in 2001.
In his downtime, he enjoys hiking, working out, learning Italian, and gathering inspiration for the olive grove and vineyard he dreams of cultivating.
Joseph joined LA TANIA in early 2025. Excited to lead a rockstar deck team in his maiden season aboard, he is dedicated to delivering outstanding service to the owners and charter guests.
Joseph Hughes
Bosun
Previous yachts: M/Y ZAZOU (65m), M/Y JACOZAMI (65m), M/Y SEDATIVE (35m), M/Y BARBARA ANNE (40m)
Interests: Football, snowboarding, hiking, mountain biking
Simon grew up in the North Wales countryside, close to the mountains and the sea. This is where he developed a love of the great outdoors, spending his free time racing mountain bikes, hiking, and camping, as well as closely following football.
It was on a biking trip to the French and Italian Riviera that Simon discovered yachting and soon after made the move to Antibes to pursue a career. He now lives in Cannes with his wife, whom he met while working on a previous yacht, and their two young boys.
With over twelve years of experience in the industry, he brings a wealth of knowledge and experience and looks forward to welcoming you on board LA TANIA. He hopes to show you a wonderful time on the water.
Simon Jelley
First Officer
Previous yachts: M/Y TRUE NORTH (43m), M/Y AMANTI (52m), M/Y BASH (58m)
Interests: Football, rugby, gym training
Max originates from Essex, UK. After finishing school, he started his culinary career in the kitchens of the prestigious RAC Club, a private members’ club located in Pall Mall, London. Since then, Max has refined his skills in various fine dining establishments across the dynamic capital. His greatest achievement to date is winning the Compass Junior Chef of the Year award, a prestigious competition recognising young culinary talents.
With just over four years of experience at sea, Max has acquired a diverse array of flavours from around the world. His culinary approach blend classic cookery with a modern twist. He looks forward to sharing his culinary creations with you!
Max Judges Briggs
Chef
Previous yachts: WHITE STUFF (23M), M/Y KAMINO (35m), SILVER WIND (43m), ICON (68m), MOSAIQUE (49m), RED DRAGON (52m)
Interests: Hiking, road bikes, yoga, healthy living
Beth hails from Cornwall, on the UK’s most South Westerly coastline. Although her hometown was beautiful, it was the remoteness which fuelled her desire to travel and explore. After earning a BA (Hons) degree in Business Management at university, Beth opted for a career in yachting, combining work with global exploration, and has bult up a wealth of experience over the past ten years. With this experience you can relax in the knowledge that your every need will be met by this seasoned professional. While looking after you and your guests she also manages the wonderful interior team to provide a seamless service throughout the yacht.
In her spare time, Beth enjoys cycling, hiking, and the occasional yoga class.
Beth Palk
Chief steward/ess
Previous yachts: M/Y NOTORIOUS (28m)
Interests/Languages: Cosmetics, fashion, hiking, English, Russian
Anna has a bubbly personality and the warmest heart, despite being born on the freezing cold shoreline of the Bering Sea in Russia. Growing up, she wore five layers of warm clothes and ate red caviar for breakfast, lunch, and dinner, all while dreaming of green apples. As soon as she could, Anna left the cold behind and moved to the super-hot city of Dubai, where she worked as a skincare specialist for the cosmetics company LA MER. After eight years, Anna decided to challenge herself with something new and stepped into the yachting industry.
Starting as a solo stewardess, she embarked on her “greatest journey” and now feels fortunate to be part of the LA TANIA family, where she has remained for a number of years. Anna is a versatile individual with interests in fashion, photography, and travel. In her free time, she loves hiking and being outdoors. If you're into hiking as well, you've found the perfect walking partner in Anna.
Anna Maslo
2nd Stewardess
Previous yachts: M/Y LADY LENA (52m), M/Y YALLA (47m), M/Y DASHING WAVE (23m)
Interests: Photography, cooking, distillation, reading, yoga
Megan is a warm, adaptable professional originally from Eswatini in Southern Africa. With a flair for creativity and a passion for high-end service, she brings a unique blend of experience from both land and sea. Her career has taken her from working on luxury yachts across Europe to managing a private UHNW residence in London, where she oversaw everything from travel planning and fine garment care to event coordination and household logistics.
Megan’s background in filmmaking gives her a storyteller’s touch when it comes to creating memorable guest experiences, whether through table settings, bespoke cocktails, or simply great conversation. She thrives in fast-paced environments and is known for her upbeat energy, attention to detail, and strong team spirit.
Megan enjoys experimenting with mixology, arranging flowers, swimming, yoga, and diving into creative hobbies like photography, gemmology, and jewellery making. She's the kind of crew member who brings both polish and personality, always ready to roll up her sleeves and add a bit of sparkle wherever she goes.
Megan Van Rensburg
Stewardess
Previous yachts: M/Y AVIVA (68m)
Interests/Languages: Tea, playing pool, music, pranking the other stews, English, Sinhala, Malay
Tuwan, better known as Bonzie, is a kind and gentle, proud father of two. He is also a slice of stewarding dynamite. Hailing from Colombo, Sri Lanka, the only thing Bonzie loves more than a Muralitharan in-swinger during a one-day cricket international is the smell of fresh laundry! Bonzie has been on LA TANIA for seven years and is easy to find – all you need to do is listen for the singing, drifting up from downstairs. Bonzie always has a smile on his face and loves listening to music while he works. In his spare time, he likes to catch up with friends and family, playing pool, and relaxing with a good cup of tea. Bonzie has a long and extremely credible history in the hospitality industry, and it is rumoured that the smash hit film “The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel” is based on his previous exploits.
Tuwan (Bongzo) Zerney
Steward