Born and raised in the seaside town of Littlehampton on England’s south coast, Andrew has always felt at home on the water. His lifelong connection to the sea naturally led him to pursue a career in yachting, which began in 2005. Over the years, Andrew has successfully completed numerous charter seasons in the Mediterranean and Caribbean, navigating some of the most sought-after yachting destinations in the world. His extensive experience also includes cruising globally, giving him a broad knowledge of international waters and cultures.
Known for his professionalism, leadership, and attention to detail, Andrew is committed to ensuring that every aspect of your voyage exceeds expectations. Whether it’s tailoring itineraries to suit your preferences or ensuring the highest standards of safety and comfort, Andrew strives to deliver an unforgettable yachting experience.
When not at sea, Andrew enjoys keeping active and pursuing his many hobbies, including badminton, tennis, golf, skiing, scuba diving, kite surfing, and playing guitar. His enthusiasm for adventure and the outdoors translates into a dynamic and engaging onboard atmosphere.
Age: 38
Previous Yachts: GLADIATOR, GLADIUS, JEMS
Andrew Thomas
Captain
Ryan brings nearly a decade of yachting expertise to M/Y Rio, combined with a distinguished career in the Royal Marines. His background in leadership, discipline, and maritime operations makes him an invaluable asset to the vessel. As Chief Officer, Ryan is responsible for safety and security, as well as serving as the onboard medical officer. His extensive skill set ensures the highest levels of professionalism and care for both guests and crew.
Ryan is also a certified scuba diving instructor, offering unique underwater adventures and training opportunities to enhance the onboard experience. Beyond the water, his passion for photography and videography—both underwater and aerial—allows him to capture breathtaking moments of your journey. Guests often leave with bespoke charter videos, thoughtfully created by Ryan, preserving unforgettable memories of their time aboard M/Y Rio.
Ryan’s interests align perfectly with his role. He is passionate about exploring the natural world through diving and photography, bringing his creative vision to life in stunning visual formats. His enthusiasm and expertise create engaging, one-of-a-kind experiences for every guest.
Age: 35
Previous Yachts: ARROW, LATITUDE, TALISMAN C, JOY
Ryan McColl
First Officer
Jack Middleton has been the Head Chef aboard M/Y Rio for nearly three years, a role he embraced even before the vessel was commissioned. With over a decade of experience, Jack has built an impressive career, including eight years working in some of Germany and Austria’s most prestigious 2- and 3-Michelin-star restaurants. Earlier in his career, he had the privilege of training under the renowned Heston Blumenthal in London, an experience that profoundly shaped his culinary philosophy and refined his technical expertise.
Jack’s menus aboard M/Y Rio reflect his passion for innovation, precision, and sourcing the finest ingredients, ensuring an extraordinary dining experience for every guest.
Interests:
Outside the galley, Jack enjoys playing tennis, skiing, and indulging his passion for fine wines. He is currently pursuing his WSET Level 3 Sommelier Certificate, further enhancing his ability to curate exceptional food and wine pairings.
Age: 32
Previous Yachts: LAUREL, PRINCESS AVK
Jack Middleton
Chef
Jodie hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland, and brings a blend of creativity and enthusiasm to her role as 3rd Stewardess aboard M/Y Rio. Before joining the yachting industry, Jodie studied Fine Art, a background that inspires her artistic table settings and creative touches onboard. With three seasons of experience, Jodie has worked on both private and charter yachts, honing her skills and solidifying her passion for a career in yachting.
Jodie is known for her happy-go-lucky attitude, her constant smile, and her unwavering willingness to help wherever needed. She has truly found her calling in the industry and is excited to continue growing her expertise.
Interests: Jodie enjoys spending her free time at the beach, attending live music events, exploring new places, and indulging in different cuisines.
Age: 24
Previous Yachts: AUDACE, SHE GOT THE HOUSE
Jodie Martin
Beautician
Kate is a dedicated and ambitious professional with three years of experience in the yachting industry. Known for her strong work ethic and passion for maritime life, she is committed to providing exceptional service and maintaining the highest standards on board. Kate is currently preparing to complete her OOW 3000 (Officer of the Watch) exam within the next year, a significant milestone in her career development.
Kate’s long-term goal is to expand her skills and expertise while delivering outstanding experiences for guests and supporting the team with her dedication and enthusiasm.
Interests: In addition to her professional aspirations, Kate has a keen interest in diving and is working towards becoming a certified instructor. Her love for the ocean and enthusiasm for learning continue to drive her to excel in all aspects of her role.
Age: 21
Previous Yachts: CONSTANCE
Kate Crawford
Deckhand
Graham hails from the South Coast of England and spent his youth in one of the UK’s most famous seaside destinations, Brighton, before moving to Australia for 2 years. Upon his return he discovered the yachting industry and is now in his fifteenth year working on the luxury vessels.
He has been with RIO since June 2022, and he knows the limitations of the boat when it comes to locating the perfect anchorages and knows how much his guests love their time on board.
During his yachting career, his travels have seen him cruise the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bahamas, Red Sea and the Black Sea as well as crossing the Atlantic Ocean 10 times. He has a terrific charter reputation as Captain, spending 8 years on Lionshare, one of the industry’s chartering greats as well as time on other yachts such as Sycara IV & V, Sairam and TJ Esperanza.
When not on RIO Graham spends his time with his two children who keep him busy. He also enjoys keeping fit and you’ll also find he loves an evening out with his crew or even a chilled one engrossed in a good book.
Age: 37
Previous yachts: LIONSHARE, SYCARA IV
Graham Lloyd
Captain
Scott has been immersed in the yachting industry for eight years, gaining invaluable experience aboard renowned vessels such as M/Y Rio Rita, M/Y Sanoo, and M/Y Kahalani. Throughout his career, Scott has demonstrated a strong work ethic, an ability to lead by example, and a commitment to ensuring the safety and satisfaction of every guest. His extensive hands-on experience, combined with his passion for excellence, makes him a vital member of the crew.
As Chief Officer, Scott takes pride in overseeing the deck team, maintaining the vessel to the highest standards, and working closely with the captain to deliver a seamless charter experience. With aspirations to become a Captain himself, Scott consistently pursues professional development and strives to exceed expectations in every role he takes on.
Outside of yachting, Scott is an adrenaline enthusiast. He enjoys kitesurfing whenever the wind allows and finds equal excitement exploring the open road on his motorcycle. These hobbies reflect his adventurous spirit and love for the outdoors.
Fun Fact: Scott has a beloved pet Dachshund named DJ.
Age: 28
Previous Yachts: RIO RITA, SANOO, KAHALANI
Scott Jenkins
First Officer
Born in England, Alfie Chamberlain has always had a passion for exploration and adventure. Before joining the yachting industry, he spent his early twenties working and traveling through India, Australia, and Southeast Asia. These formative years provided him with invaluable cultural insights and a deep appreciation for global diversity, which he brings to his role as Second Officer.
With over five years of yachting experience, Alfie has served aboard renowned vessels such as M/Y Skat and M/Y Lady S. He is known for his strong work ethic, excellent teamwork, and dedication to ensuring smooth operations and guest satisfaction.
Off-duty, Alfie enjoys golfing and can often be found perfecting his putting on the green—Tiger Woods, watch out! He also loves staying active through regular workouts and finds inspiration in live music concerts and festivals, where he can unwind and recharge.
Age: 31
Previous Yachts: SKAT, LADY S
Alfie Chamberlain
Second Officer
Aymon brings a diverse culinary background and a passion for excellence to his role as Sous Chef onboard. Born and raised in the UK, Aymon’s multicultural heritage shines through in his cooking, blending flavors from his German-Egyptian roots with global influences. His experience includes working aboard M/Y Helios and honing his skills in a land-based role with renowned filmmaker Guy Ritchie. These experiences have shaped Aymon into a versatile and creative chef who thrives in dynamic environments.
When not in the galley, Aymon enjoys exploring the outdoors, whether riding his motorbike on the open road or immersing himself in nature in the forest. He also keeps active with running, skiing, football, and padel whenever possible.
Fun Fact: Aymon’s special skills include being a self-proclaimed life jacket inflation specialist, proving that even safety can come with a touch of humour.
Age: 27
Previous Yachts: HELIOS
Aymon Awad
Chef
Joseph joins M/Y Rio as Sous Chef, bringing his culinary skills and fresh enthusiasm to the team. Raised on a farm, Joseph developed a strong connection to quality ingredients and countryside living, which influence his creative approach in the galley. While M/Y Rio is his first yachting experience, Joseph’s dedication and passion for delivering exceptional dishes make him an exciting addition to the crew.
Joseph’s rural upbringing fostered a love for outdoor activities, including fishing, shooting, foraging, and dog training. He has also led an active lifestyle, with rugby as his primary sport over the years.
Fun Fact: Joseph has a quirky talent: he can play “Stand By Me” on the piano while lying underneath it!
Age: 26
Joseph Hegarty
Chef