Languages: English & Thai.
Jik is from Phattalung Thailand, east of Krabi. She has been working on NORTHERN SUN for many years now, one of the Captain’s most valuable crew member. Jik is adept at all the duties of an interior staff on board and had previously spent summer 2023 on another of the Owner’s yacht in the Mediterranean, a 60m. She is happy to be at sea and values her time in nature and around her friends in the crew.
Summarat Na Pairee (known as Jik)
Stewardess
Languages: English.
Hailing from New Zealand Alex attended University in Christchurch, studying Tourism Management and spent 6 years in the Army Reserves, including a Peacekeeping Tour to the Solomon Islands. After University and the Army life he became a Snowboarding Instructor, which ultimately led to him departing New Zealand in 2011 to teach in Snowy Canada. It is from here that Alex went into yachting. Over the last decade Alex has made a successful career on yachts ranging from 50-70 meters, progressing up the ranks to Chief Officer. He has been based out of Southeast Asia (Home port Phuket) for a number of years so has extensive knowledge of the area and local cruising grounds.
Alex Farr
Chief Officer
Languages: Fluent English & Thai.
From Bangkok originally, Nui grew up and also attended university there, achieving a degree in hospitality. At 21 she started a life at sea working on a cruise ship in the USA for two and a half years. Nui then transitioned to the Superyacht Industry, working on many well-known yachts while holding good longevity. Her yacht repertoire includes, M/Y La Masquerade, M/Y Oasis, M/Y Queen K, M/Y Wheels, M/Y Paraffin, working her way up to Chief Stewardess positions. She has travelled to many places around in the world, but always finds herself back home, in the country she loves.
Punyanut (Nui) Nithichotdechakon
Stewardess
Languages: English & Filipino.
Rodney is from the Philippines and has been in the yachting industry for over 10 years cruising Mediterranean and South East Asian waters with previous experience on board 78m M/Y Montkaj. He prides himself on keeping the deck clean and maintained to a high standard including varnishing and painting, ensuring NORTHERN SUN always looks her best. Rodney is an experienced tender driver and knowledgeable about all water sports equipment on board. He is a dedicated team player assisting where necessary to ensure all guests are attended to. In his free time, he enjoys playing basketball, online gaming and eating lolly pops.
Rodney Flores
Deckhand
Languages: Thai & England
Ko is a seasoned culinary professional with over 25 years of experience working in hotels and restaurants, plus over 14 years as a Head Chef on luxury motor yachts. His extensive career has seen him lead the galley on several vessels including 54m M/Y Lady D from 2012 to 2019, followed by successful tenures on 39m M/Y Lady Azul and most recently 61m M/Y Diamonds are Forever. Ko's longevity in the industry is a testament to his dedication, adaptability, and exceptional skill set.
Ko brings with him a wealth of culinary knowledge, a creative flair, and a commitment to excellence. He is eager to continue his journey, providing guests with locally sourced, flavourful, and meticulously crafted meals that elevate their charter experience. Ko’s passion for food, coupled with his extensive experience, ensures that every meal served is not just a dish, but a delightful adventure for the palate.
Nobphadon (Ko) Hiranchai
Chef
Languages: English & Filipino.
Anne is from the Philippines and has been on board NORTHERN SUN for many years and has had a long-standing career in the yachting industry. She started on a passenger ship which gave her a platform to build upon and then paved her way to the yachting industry. She has experience working on private and charter luxury yachts, cruising throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean and Red Sea. Anne has a keen eye for detail and helps ensure the finer elements of the interior are maintained with exceptional standards. With Anne’s’ previous yachting experience on 147m M/Y Prince Abdulaziz and 110m M/Y Athessa IV her aim is to make every guest welcome and as comfortable as possible. She has a warm and friendly nature and enjoys biking, running, reading and appreciates photography.
Anne Cagas
Stewardess
Valentyna is a seasoned and polished professional with deep experience in both high-end hospitality on cruise ships and superyacht operations. Her position as chief stewardess has fallen across yachts of varying sizes from 63m Irimari 2018–2023, 47m Forwin & 52m Victory to name a few. With working across Europe & Asia and her proactive contribution to service manuals and inventive cocktail menus reflect her leadership, initiative, and commitment to excellence together with her combined creative flair, operational rigor, and personable demeanor. Valentyna has a strong knowledge of wines with her WSET 1 & 2 (especially Super Tuscan & French Burgundy), an expert in Silver Service, knows her bartending & is a great Mixologist. Valentyna relaxes by reading and enjoys photography.
Valentyna Ivanova
Chief steward/ess
Languages: English.
Ted grew up in Vancouver, Canada, where his passion for the sea began at an early age. His father was a commercial fisherman, and Ted loved visiting the docks. At the age of 10, he was already joining short trips during summer breaks gaining a wealth of experience—a tradition that continued throughout his high school years. At 24, Ted relocated to Seattle and joined the Bering Sea fishing fleet. Starting as a deckhand, he steadily worked his way up to engineer and eventually to Captain.
In 2008, Ted delivered a 57m motor yacht from Seattle to Singapore—a pivotal journey that marked the beginning of his career in Asia. Since then, he has captained a handful of yachts across the region, including the 55m M/Y Lady D, where he served as captain for over a decade, and more recently, on the renowned 61m charter yacht, M/Y Diamonds Are Forever.
Ted’s voyages have taken him to some of the world's most remote and breathtaking destinations, fuelling his love for exploration and introducing him to new cultures and people. A dedicated and seasoned captain known for his calm demeanour, loyalty, and extensive experience; Ted is committed to ensuring an exceptional charter experience for every guest on board NORTHERN SUN.
Ted Blenkers
Captain
Languages: English & Russian.
Dima is from Ukraine and has worked on NORTHERN SUN for well over a decade. Dima has a commercial shipping background, primarily cruise ships and holds his 2nd Engineer qualification up to 3000 tonnes. He is dedicated to maintaining the engine room to an impeccable standard and works harmoniously in a team with Vlad. Dima also has previous experience on 135m M/Y Asia Star and 140m M/Y Lizori.
Dima Vetyev
Engineer
Languages: English & Filipino.
Jo Jo is from the Philippines and has worked on NORTHERN SUN for over 10 years. Jo Jo has an extensive career working on large motor yachts around the world such as 76m M/Y Reborn and 63m M/Y Shahnaz and is an accomplished tender skipper. He is extremely attentive to guest needs paying special attention to their safety and well-being. Jo Jo is true a team player and assists with the water sports, diving and fishing activities. He enjoys assisting with the diving and fishing activities. Jo Jo is very friendly, good mannered and being a team player makes him an asset to the crew.
Joseph (Jo Jo) Devingracia
Deckhand