Growing up in the Austrian Alps, Mario Merl developed a passion for sport through Nordic Combined skiing, beginning at the age of six. The discipline, determination, and competitive mindset he gained continue to shape his professional approach today. He holds a Master’s degree in Finance and further expanded his expertise by studying Naval Architecture during his yachting career. Since 2001, Mario has worked aboard some of the world’s most prestigious superyachts. With over two decades of industry experience, he is known for delivering exceptional guest experiences, strong leadership, and outstanding service. Passionate about the sea, Mario enjoys sharing remarkable destinations and creating unforgettable journeys alongside his dedicated and professional crew.

Mario Merl
Captain
A former professional football player, he has had the privilege of playing alongside some of the world’s top talent, traveling globally and creating unforgettable experiences while connecting with incredible people.
Having grown up internationally, he is highly adaptable and comfortable in any environment. He enjoys an active lifestyle and friendly competition, whether it’s football, paddel, tennis, or golf (playing off a 6 handicap). An adrenaline enthusiast, he is always up for exciting challenges.
He brings great energy, a positive mindset, and a fun, easygoing vibe to every charter, always ready to engage and ensure guests have a memorable time on board.

Jean-Dee Degueldre
Engineer
Born and raised in the beautiful coastal city of Cape Town, South Africa, Sian has always felt most at home on the water. Coming from a seafaring family, with both her father and uncle having enjoyed successful careers as yacht captains, it was only natural that she would be encouraged to explore the maritime world.
With several successful seasons onboard both private and charter yachts, Sian combines polished service with a genuine passion for hospitality, enjoying creating memorable moments that make every charter feel special.
Outside of yachting, Sian enjoys an active lifestyle through Pilates, yoga, trail running, hiking and scuba diving, having achieved her Rescue Diver certification. One of her favourite dive sites is Mnemba Atoll in Zanzibar where her father lived for many years.
Naturally social and always smiling, you’ll often hear her quietly humming a tune while setting the table or preparing cocktails and sharing a laugh with guests and crew alike. Her calm nature, positive energy and genuine care for people help create the relaxed, welcoming atmosphere she hopes every guest remembers- being part of the true energy that motor yacht Sairu and it’s crew has been proudly fostered onboard.

Sian MC Kellar-Basset
Stewardess
Daniel is from Berlin, Germany, and developed his love for the sea at an early age while sailing the Baltic Sea with his family. Before entering the maritime industry, he spent ten years competing as part of the German national cycling team and completed studies in wholesale, foreign trade, and finance.
In 2009, Daniel began his career at sea aboard cruise ships before transitioning to the yachting industry in 2015. Since then, he has gained extensive experience aboard a variety of yachts, cruising throughout the Mediterranean, Atlantic, and Caribbean.
Known for his calm and professional approach, Daniel enjoys the dynamic nature of life at sea and takes pride in ensuring safe and enjoyable experiences for both guests and crew.
When off duty, he enjoys spending time with family and friends, staying active in the gym, cycling, and relaxing on the beach whenever possible.

Daniel Giese
First Officer
Alejandro is an Argentinian chef whose passion for food and travel has shaped an international culinary career. After moving to Europe in 2015, he spent four years in Germany refining his skills and gaining valuable experience in professional kitchens.
In 2020, he transitioned into the yachting industry, combining his love of cooking with his desire to explore the world. Since then he has worked aboard yachts throughout Europe, Asia, and the Middle East, creating memorable dining experiences for guests from a wide range of backgrounds.
When away from the galley, Alejandro enjoys staying active and exploring destinations by road, allowing him to connect more closely with local cultures. Despite spending much of his time abroad, he remains closely connected to Argentina, where he dedicates his free time to his farm, raising sheep and developing agricultural projects.

Alejandro Henke-Taller
Chef
A disciplined and goal-driven marine engineer with nearly 20 years of experience, including nine years as Chief Engineer in the Ro-Ro/passenger sector. Known for technical mastery, rapid problem-solving, and calm leadership in high-pressure environments. In 2022, he transitioned into the yachting industry. Over two years, he ensured flawless operation of onboard systems, prioritized guest comfort, and fostered strong crew collaboration.
With deep engineering knowledge, strong English communication skills, and a proactive approach to learning new technologies, he is now seeking a new challenge aboard a yacht or superyacht. He brings reliability, precision, and a commitment to excellence—ready to be a key asset to any high-performing team.
In his free time Mykola likes to travel with his family, swimming, gym workouts, cycling, discovering new recipes and tasting new dishes, reading scientific articles such as technological discoveries space exploration.

Mykola Pysmenny
Chief engineer
Originally from Odesa, Ukraine, Vasyl studied Marine Engineering at Odessa University before beginning his career at sea at just 18 years old. Inspired by a lifelong love of the water and sailing, he pursued a career in superyacht engineering, where he has developed extensive technical expertise and a reputation for reliability.
His dedication and problem-solving skills ensure all onboard systems operate seamlessly, providing guests with a safe and comfortable experience. In his free time, Vasyl enjoys hiking, diving, attending concerts, and exploring new destinations. He takes great pride in his work and is committed to delivering exceptional support and memorable experiences aboard M/Y Sairu.

Vasyl Pogorielov
Chief engineer
Originally from Cape Town, South Africa, she began her career in interior design before being drawn to the yachting industry by its unique blend of travel, adventure, and personal growth. Since entering the industry, she has gained valuable experience aboard well-regarded yachts, consistently delivering a high standard of service.
She takes pride in offering a warm, attentive approach while creating a relaxed yet refined onboard atmosphere, with a strong eye for detail that enhances the overall guest experience.
In her free time, she enjoys spending time at the beach, discovering new restaurants, and capturing moments through photography and videography.

Madisun King
Chief steward/ess
Agostina is a certified personal trainer with previous experience on cruise ships before transitioning into the yachting industry. She is a dedicated and detail-oriented professional, taking pride in delivering exceptional guest experiences.
An active and energetic individual, she enjoys spending time in nature, traveling, and practicing sports in her free time. Agostina has a true passion for the sea, beautiful sunsets, and good food.

Agostina Sol Vocero
Stewardess
Sally grew up in Denmark and spent the last eight years living in Copenhagen, where she completed a Master’s degree in Digital Design and Interactive Technologies before working as a UX designer. This year, she decided to swap city life for the yachting industry.
Having grown up playing a wide variety of sports, she enjoys staying active and has developed a particular love for Pilates in recent years. When travelling, she is happiest by the ocean, whether scuba diving beneath the surface or surfing along the coastline.
Sally also enjoys travelling for music festivals and is drawn to the freedom, energy, and sense of adventure they offer. One day, she hopes to own a sailing boat and explore remote corners of the world

Sally Tasch
Stewardess