Emerson was born and raised in South Africa, and started sailing at the age of six years old. Emerson loves the yachting lifestyle, having done two Pacific Ocean crossings and ten Atlantic Ocean crossings, including one on a 45ft catamaran.
He worked on 47M M/Y Coral Island for three and a half years, followed by 86m M/Y Ecstasea. He also captained a number of smaller vessels throughout his varied yachting career.
In his spare time Emerson enjoys running,swimming, free diving, scuba diving and cycling. Emerson is always smiling, because he believes life is too short to not enjoy it as much as we can. His happy disposition will ensure your ride on Panthera is a pleasant one.
Emerson Carlin
Tender Captain
Licia is from Durbanville, the heart of the Sauvignon Blanc region of Cape Town. After obtaining a diploma at a makeup artist academy, she started working in the hospitality industry. A water baby with a deep love for the ocean and a keen interest in the conservation of ocean life, Licia was drawn to the yachting industry. This also stood out due to her prior land-based experience and wealth of transferable skills from the hospitality industry. She quickly secured her first position onboard a yacht based in Barcelona. Licia has now been in the industry for six years. In the off season, she tries to complete niche courses such as yoga instructor and holistic massage therapy to diversify her skill set. She enjoys most water sports, including free diving and angling. Licia exudes warmth and hospitality. She absolutely loves what she does and strives to make guests feel welcome and cared for.
Licia Brynard
Chief steward/ess
Brittany grew up in the vibrant coastal city of Cape Town, South Africa, where the ocean was always within reach. Spending most of her childhood by the Hout Bay Harbour, she developed a deep connection with the sea through fishing, exploring boats, and dreaming of a life on the water. Her yachting career began in 2016, and she has never looked back. With a decade of experience in the hospitality industry and a natural love for the ocean, yachting became the perfect fit . In her free time, she can be found surfing, hiking, running, or enjoying time with friends. Brittany feels incredibly fortunate to have travelled the world through yachting, with favourite destinations including the rugged beauty of Alaska, the serene landscapes of Finland and Sweden, the exotic charm of Madagascar, and the vibrant energy of the Caribbean. With a positive attitude, she brings a strong work ethic and a genuine passion for creating unforgettable experiences for guests. Her adventurous spirit and dedication ensure every moment on board is exceptional.
Brittany Holmes
Stewardess
Brendan is our African bushbaby from Zimbabwe. He joined the yachting industry as deckhand in San Remo, Italy in 2019 but quickly transferred to the engineering side of things. Since early childhood he has had a love for tinkering with and taking things apart – fixing boat motors and bikes and even building his own boat and trailer. He completed his qualifications at Warsash Maritime Academy in Southampton, UK. Brendan has always loved the water – the rivers and lakes of Zim provided ample entertainment and opportunity for sailing, rowing and fishing. He loves all water sports, including spearfishing, scuba diving and freediving.
He is a keen hiker and jogger and loves exploring new and interesting places and cultures, but when he has the opportunity, he returns to the country of his heart to spend time with friends and family, enjoying activities such as fishing and camping safaris!
Brendan Eggersglusz
Second Engineer
Margaret grew up close to the mountains in Tennessee spending her summers hiking and going to the lake with family and friends. After university, she decided to explore the world and move abroad to teach English in Barcelona, Spain for almost four years. With her love for the sea and adventure she started in the yachting industry in 2018 and hasn’t looked back ever since.
Margaret has worked on motor and sail yachts of various sizes ranging from 50 to 80m. She has traveled all over from Europe, the Caribbean, Central America and the South Pacific and doesn’t want to stop any time soon. In her free time, she enjoys diving, surfing, swimming, hiking, music, and traveling.
Margaret Kennedy
Chief steward/ess
Lee, originally from Ottawa, Canada, studied political science before deciding it was time for a change. His passion for travel naturally led him to a career onboard yachts, where he began as a deckhand and worked his way up to first mate, earning his Officer of the Watch ticket.He is now completing his Master 3000-ton modules to become a captain.With experience on both sailing and motor yachts, as well as private and charter vessels, Lee brings a well-rounded skill set to his role. He takes great pride in his work and is always available to assist with anything you might need. In his free time, he enjoys exercising, practicing yoga, skateboarding, playing hockey, and, of course, traveling.
Lee Merrifield
First Officer
Simon grew up in a picturesque farming village in Yorkshire, where he developed a deep appreciation for locally sourced, seasonal ingredients that reflect the natural beauty of his surroundings. His culinary journey began in Michelin-starred restaurants, where he honed his craft with a focus on classic French cuisine. After completing his studies at catering college, Simon embarked on a journey of exploration, combining his passion for food with adventure. He participated in Arctic expeditions and marine conservation research campaigns in the Pacific. Simon takes pride in crafting vibrant, flavourful, and nutritious meals, drawing inspiration from regional ingredients and global cuisines to create exceptional dining experiences
Simon Crunkhorn
Chef
Stephanie grew up by the ocean in New Jersey, where her love for the water began at an early age. As a kid, she sailed Optis on the Raritan Bay, which introduced her to sailing. This connection to the sea led her to study marine biology in both college and graduate school. Over the years, she’s been lucky enough to turn her love for the ocean into a career, and now she’s excited to share her knowledge and passion for the sea with guests. For the past four years, Stephanie has worked aboard sail training vessels, teaching marine science and scuba diving to college students. It was during this time that she rediscovered her joy for sailing, which eventually led her into the world of yachting. Along the way, she’s had the incredible opportunity to circumnavigate the globe, with some of her favourite spots being Fiji and Mozambique. When she’s not working, you’ll find Stephanie in or around the water, whether it’s scuba diving, free diving, or simply enjoying the ocean. She also enjoys staying active through yoga and hiking, while reading, cooking, and exploring new countries bring her joy on land..
Stephanie Topal
Deckhand
Molly grew up in Shetland, off the North coast of Scotland spending most summers with her family in and on the sea. Molly began sailing at her local sailing club, she then would spend her summers on a local sail training vessel where she would complete trips across the North Sea to Norway and Denmark and also around Scotland. Following this Molly knew she wanted to work and live at sea. Over the last few years, she has worked on both large sail and motor yachts gaining great knowledge and experience. When not on-board Molly enjoys swimming, photography and travelling.
Molly Brindley
Bosun
Mike was born in London and moved to the south coast as a boy. He is married with three daughters. Mike is grateful to be working alongside a great team and is looking forward to the season and many to follow where they will all gain the skills and knowledge to operate like a well-oiled machine. At the age of 18, Mike completed a training program which kick started his on-water career as a windsurfing and dinghy sailing instructor in the South of France. Mike continued to
sail and work on smaller yachts, culminating in his first trans-Atlantic crossing on a 30-foot sailing boat where he then discovered “big boats” and his journey in yachting began. For fun, Mike likes to hike, dive, ski and camp with his family and escape to the woods.
Mike Hutchins
Captain
Price: $225,000 - $250,000 / Per Week
Length: 183' 9" Ft
Guests: 12
Speed: 15 Knots
Cabins: 7
Build year: 2006
Crew: 11
