Dynamite comes in small packages! Being the youngest of three in her family, and growing up in Johannesburg South Africa, Kiana has found herself to be energetic, easy going, and unstoppable with a goal in mind. She loves a good laugh, and is always able to have fun and smile. She’s a big lover of animals and all things nature (but will not react well to a bug on her). In her free time she enjoys dancing (silk and latin), volunteering, learning languages and practising the ukulele and violin. Above all, Kiana will always try to be kind.
Kiana Critchfield
Stewardess
Anne grew up in Cabuyao, Philippines, before moving to Pisa,
Italy, with her family, where she began her career in hospitality.
However, Anne soon discovered her true passion for cooking and
baking, prompting her to make a career shift. In 2018, she
enrolled in the prestigious Scuola di Arte Culinaria Cordon Bleu in
Florence, Italy, to hone her culinary skills.
Always curious about different cultures and cuisines, Anne is
constantly eager to learn and explore new things. This love for
discovery eventually led her to yachting, a career path that
perfectly blends her passions and skills.
In her free time, Anne enjoys spending quality time with her
family, cherishing those moments of connection.
Anne Batallones
Stewardess
Ignas is our exceptional second engineer onboard, with
experience as a second engineer onboard 58M - 97M Super
Yachts and 158M - 200M container carriers.
Ignas is from Lithuania and has a passion for traveling the world
and learning about different cultures along the way. Ignas enjoys
spending time with his family, participating in water sports and
playing basketball.
Previous Yachts: M/Y Carinthia, M/Y Impromptu, M/Y Unbridled,
M/Y Xpress Machu Picchu
Ignas Useles
Engineer
Noah grew up in Melbourne, Australia, where he spent his early
years before his family's two-year stint in Singapore ignited his
passion for travel.
Returning to Sydney, Australia, for a new challenge, he embraced
snowboarding, wakeboarding, and football.
Noah's love for water originated from childhood visits to Perth,
where he developed a deep appreciation for coastal beauty.
Noah is new to the Yachting industry and he hopes to bring
excitement and joy to your time onboard Maraya. Furthermore
Noah is also a passionate, and courageous person who wishes to
embody the spirit of exploration and adventure.
Noah Khoury
Deckhand
Tristan was born and raised in the town of uMlanga,
South Africa. At the age of 8 his family relocated to the
island Mauritius where they lived for 12 years in a
bungalow on the beach.
During this time, Tristan's true love for ocean was
discovered and being an active individual, it enabled him
to adopt several water sports including windsurfing, kite
surfing, surfing, sailing, slalom skiing as well as rugby and
football when he wasn't beachside. In 2007, Tristan spent
7 months in the South of France on the Classic Regatta
circuit racing beautiful classic sailing yachts, some of
which boasted a build from the early 20th century.
Tristan studied architectural drafting but upon
completion in 2010, chose to return to the Mediterranean
to pursue a career in yachting. As enthusiastic now about
the ocean as he’s ever been, many of Tristan's water-
based hobbies fill his free time along with a keen interest
in film, photography and motorsports.
Previous Yachts: M/Y Unicorn 54M , M/Y Cloud Break 75M
- Onboard for 5 years, M/Y Bold 85M, M/Y Pelorus- 115M,
M/Y Helix 45M.
Tristan Najbicz
Captain
Daan is our Bosun/Dive instructor onboard. He is from the Eastern Cape in South Africa and loves to be active and fit. Daan grew up fishing and driving dirt bikes off road in South Africa. Prior to yachting, Daan studied to be a personal trainer and loves helping others reach their health and fitness goals. He is our go to crew member for all water sports and is our qualified scuba diving instructor onboard. Daan has worked onboard multiple charter yachts and has a fine eye for ensuring guests have the best time possible.
Previous yachts: M/Y Blue Moon, S/Y Zenji, M/Y Just Enough, M/Y Burn
Rate
Daan de Beer
Bosun
Dean is our sunny South African onboard, who has always loved
everything about the ocean. Prior to yachting Dean worked on
private islands, driving tenders and running water sport activities.
Dean has a passion for sports and has previously represented his
country playing professional cricket. Dean loves being physically
active and when he's not working hard onboard Maraya he is kite
surfing, scuba diving or free diving.
Dean is excited to be apart of the Maraya crew and hopes to make
your stay memorable.
Dean Holtman
Deckhand
Riaan was born and raised near Port Elizabeth, South Africa, where his studies resulted in his Diploma as a Personal Trainer & Exercise Specialist. However, Riaan's love for the ocean and travel resulted in him leaving South Africa in 2008 and becoming immersed in the yachting industry, where he has been
working since. Riaan has cruised extensively, and has a good knowledge of the US East Coast, Great Lakes, Bahamas, Caribbean, Norway, Mediterranean, including Croatia, Greece and Turkey. After demonstrating his leadership and professionalism as Captain aboard previous vessels, Riaan decided to join
Maraya’s professional team. Riaan's enthusiasm provides an infectious environment for crew and guests alike, delivering seamless teamwork from the crew while insuring that every element of each charter exceeds expectations! He is a keen sportsman and enjoys the exciting travel opportunities and challenges that the industry provides.
Previous Yachts: Wheels(76m), Shake n Bake TBD, Katya,
Double Down(65m), Vicky(74m), Hayken(50m),
Lady M(65m), Vantage(47)m, Lotus(38m), Sea Dweller,
Amore.
Riaan Coetzer
Captain
Elizabeth, known as Lizzy, grew up in Durban, South Africa. With a
decade of experience in the hospitality industry before transitioning
into yachting, Lizzy’s passion for travel led her to join the yachting
world in 2020, where she could combine her expertise while exploring
the globe.
Lizzy has had the opportunity to sail along the entire west coast of
America, all the way up to Alaska, as well as the east coast and the
Carribean Islands. In 2023, she completed her first Atlantic crossing,
marking her debut in Europe as part of her yachting journey. One of
her most memorable experiences has been navigating the stunning
fjords of Norway. Now, Lizzy is thrilled to be in the Mediterranean—a
region she has yet to explore in her yachting career.
A natural socialite, Lizzy has a love for fashion and takes every
opportunity to dive into the ocean. Her true passion lies in delivering
exceptional service while creating a fun and welcoming atmosphere
for guests.
Previous Yachts- M/Y Lady Michelle, M/Y Blue Moon, M/Y Helios2, M/Y
Nectar
Elizabeth Verkerk
Stewardess
Oliver is our hard working and very motivated lead deckhand who
has spent the last 3 years in the yachting industry. Being born in
the UK, Oliver loves chasing the summer and being hands on as he
assists leading the deck crew onboard Maraya.
Oliver has a passion for sailing and is working towards becoming a
captain one day. Oliver is fantastic at snowboarding, he also
enjoys playing football, playing golf and going for runs in the
wonderful destinations this career allows him to travel to.
Previous yachts: M/Y Philosophy, M/Y La Mascarade, M/Y Rum
Jungle, M/Y Yalla
Oliver Hubsch
Deckhand