A girl with excellent presence with many years of experience in the Charter market. She puts attention and passion in everything she does. Valeria worked onboard MY LEOPARD and MY AB140 before joining PERSUADER this year. She is looking forward to welcoming your guests on board offering the best service possible.

Languages: Italian and English.

Qualifications:
- Commander on ships of gross tonnage of between 500 and 7000 - unlimited navigation
- Commander of a gross tonnage of merchant ships between 500 and 7,000 unlimited navigation
- Certificate of Equivalent Competency
- Firefighting (basic and advanced)
- First aid
- PSSR. Personal safety and social responsibility
- Radar observer normal
- Radar ARPA
- Bridge Teamwork-Search & rescue
- Maritime MAMS (Enabled means of rescue)
- Rescue and Survival
- Medical Training on board (Medical Care)
- Business & Law (English laws)
- GMDSS
- Use of leadership and managerial skills training course

Professional experience:
Hailing from Italy, Captain Riccardo has widespread nautical experience, having cruised extensively his whole life. Obtaining a Master Mariners degree in Viareggio, he spent several years at Naval Academy, then after as an officer sailing on a mili-tary frigate. The transition into private yachting from here was seamless and he travelled the world as deckhand, chief officer and then qualified as Captain. Addi-tionally, Riccardo spent time running his own marine services company, working with anything from maintenance to dock express cargo operations. He came on board PERSUADER in the summer season 2017. Well qualified and knowledgeable, Captain Riccardo is highly popular with all guests and nothing is too much trouble. His enthusiasm for yachting is infectious and he is delighted to be heading up the professional crew on PERSUADER.

Languages: Marco speaks Italian, English and basic French

Qualifications:

PSSR
STCW
First aid
Fire Fighting (basic and advanced)
Unlimited Master’s license
Rescue license
HACCP license
1° level of Sommelier

Professional experience:

Marco started his career in the naval industry in 1988 in Livorno and embarked on a military vessel for two years as officer of watchkeeping. In 2000 he was employed for 4 years in the 3* cooking school “Toscana Saporita”, where he held the position as chef instructor. Later, he expanded his experiences in many Italian hotels and restaurants, as well as in New York and then opened his own restaurant “Osteria del Mare” in Viareggio.
Marco loves new challenges, so in 2006 he decided to go back to sea as chef on various yachts, including the 90ft MY COBALT and the 105ft MY ALMA until 2010. From 2011 to 2015 he also completed the crew as Chef on MY MARHABA, now named PERSUADER.
Before joining MY PERSUADER again as Chef in August 2020, he was sous-chef in “Inbuto”, a Michelin star restaurant in Lucca, and in the “Osteria del Mare” in Lido di Camaiore.

Gabriella is a dedicated and highly motivated Lead Deckhand with experience on private and charter yachts up to 60 metres. With a strong foundation in deck operations, tender driving, navigational watchkeeping, guest services, and crew leadership, she brings professionalism, energy, and attention to detail to every aspect of yacht operations. Her hands-on approach, excellent communication skills, and passion for mentoring junior crew have established her as a reliable team leader. Holding a commercially endorsed Yachtmaster 200GT and a background in physiotherapy, Gabriella combines technical competence, safety awareness, and a proactive attitude, making her a valuable asset both on deck and within the wider crew team.

André is an experienced Sole and Chief Engineer with extensive expertise across private and charter yachts from 26m to 43m. With a strong engineering background, he has full autonomy in managing propulsion, power generation, hydraulics, HVAC, sanitation, and onboard support systems. Known for his calm, methodical approach and commitment to safety, André brings valuable shipyard refit experience and a proven track record of maintaining vessel reliability and charter readiness. His hands-on technical knowledge, combined with excellent problem-solving skills, makes him a dependable asset to any yacht operation.