Damla hails from Çankırı, Turkey, and initially pursued a career in nursing, drawn to the opportunity to assist people. She graduated from Bilim University and dedicated two years to working in hospitals. However, her inherent love for adventure and the sea pulled her towards transitioning into the yachting industry Her primary responsibilities include service, laundry duties, assisting with docking manoeuvres, and navigating out of marinas. She consistently seeks opportunities to enhance guest experiences with her warm hospitality. With her background in nursing, Damla maintains a calm demeanour and is always prepared to lend a helping hand in any emergency. Outside of her professional duties, she indulges in her love for travel, walking in nature, swimming, and unwinding with a good movie.
Previous yacht experience:
M/Y PATRON (1 Year)
M/Y İSTANBUL 1453 (2 Years)
Cruised in: Aegan Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Marmara Sea
Damla Sağlam
Stewardess
Growing up, Kaan displayed a fascination with engineering and loved to tinker with and fix anything that was broken. After completing his education, he developed these skills further by studying Marine Engineering. His technical eye for detail and years of experience make him a great asset to the SUN team. When not keeping every mechanical aspect of SUN running, he loves swimming, reading and watching cinema.
Previous yacht experience: M/F AEGEAN CAT, M/F KARTEPE, M/F MARMARİS EXPRESS, M/Y SUN (5th year)
Cruised in: Aegean Sea, Mediterranean Sea
Kaan Akyüz
Chief engineer
Born in İstanbul in 1995, Taha pursued his love for yachting by graduating from Bartın University in 2015 with a degree in yacht operation and management. He now has a Yacht Master 500 GT Turkish licence and has been working as a deckhand for 8 years on charter yachts. He is very experienced in water sports and driving many types of tenders. He enjoys looking after the guests and ensuring that they enjoy the water toys safely. Taha can often be found practising the traditional Turkish instrument, the Ney, with its hauntingly beautiful sound. He also enjoys playing basketball, drive motorbikes along the coast and sailing in his spare time.
Previous yacht experience: S/Y ESMA SULTAN, S/Y AKANA, S/Y WHITE SWAN, M/Y EVOLUTION, M/Y SUN (5th year)
Taha Calci
First Officer
Originally from Antalya, in Turkey, İlayda went on to complete her Maritime studies in high school. Upon graduating she preferred the yachting industry and now has over 13 years’ experience in stewarding for busy charters. Known for her exceptional organizational skills, unwavering focus, and keen attention to detail, İlayda excels in delivering top-notch service and bartending. As head of the interior, she oversees service, hospitality, guest requests, housekeeping, docking procedures, and yacht safety protocols with precision. In any spare time, she can be found ready a good book, going for long hikes or diving. A genuinely open and friendly person she is looking forward to welcoming you onboard.
Previous yacht experience: M/Y TÜRKİZ, M/Y SKYKHAN, C/T SUBUKOS, M/Y SHANA, M/Y QUEST R, M/S ALL ABOUT U
Cruised in: Aegean Sea, Mediterranean Sea, Ionian Sea
İlayda Zorlu
Chief steward/ess
Hakan is a very experienced Yacht Captain, who prides himself on the excellent service both he and his team provide guests. Having worked in the industry for over 22 years on board both private and charter yachts, he is very thorough and professional and runs M/Y SUN with a meticulous eye for detail. He has previously worked on board the M/S CARPE DIEM 1 and M/Y SHERAN, and has an outstanding knowledge of the Mediterranean, Aegean and Marmara Seas. He delights in taking clients to amazing destinations and breath-taking anchorages that suit their individual needs. Hakan is married and is a non-smoker. In his spare time, he loves fishing, football and participating in all sporting activities.
Previous yacht experience as captain:
M/Y SUN (7th year)
M/Y SHERAN (3 Years, private),
M/S CARPE DIEM 1 (6th year),
Cruised in: Mediterranean Sea, Aegean Sea & Marmara Sea
Hakan Diker
Captain
Akan Aydın has been working in the yachting industry since 2005. Prior to this, he learned his trade in the kitchens of high-end and luxury hotels. During his time in the hotel business, he developed both his cooking skills and understanding of menu balance, as well as his management abilities. This has resulted in him being very versatile in his approach, as well as very organized and able to source the freshest and best ingredients. Akan has always had a passion for the ocean, and it was natural for him to transition his outstanding culinary skills into the superyacht arena. His preferred cuisines are a fusion of French, Mediterranean, Italian, Spanish, Turkish, Greek, and Aegean, allowing him to make the most of the superb local ingredients on offer. Akan is very flexible and well able to cater to specific needs, whether they be vegan or food allergies. This passion for quality produce extends into his free time, as he is interested in farming, fishing, and husbandry.
Previous yacht experience: GULET SWEETLIFE, GULET SEMERKANT, GULET FREYA, MY LEGAND M/Y, GULET GATEWAY, EVIVA M/Y, YASMIN M/Y, M/Y SUN (3rd year)
Akan Aydin
Chef
Kemal, originally from Adana but raised in Marmaris, has a deep admiration for the sea and has been sailing from a young age and this ultimately guided his career choices. Trained as an Able Seafarer Engine, Kemal possesses extensive experience in water sports and proficiently operates various types of tenders. His priority is to ensure guests safety as they enjoy their own adventures and water toys during their time aboard. During any down time, Kemal indulges in fishing, swimming, and in maintaining his physical fitness through professional gym sessions. Above all though, Kemal is a real family man, and he treasures spending quality time with his wife and son, creating lasting memories together.
Previous Yacht Experience: C/T YEŞİL MARMARİS, M/S MAYA KANUNİ PETROL SEARCHING VESSEL, M/Y SUN (3rd year)
Cruised in: Aegean Sea, Black Sea, Ionian Sea
Kemal Kaplan
Deckhand