James first got a taste of the exciting, nomadic lifestyle that accompanies the maritime industry when he left South Africa and set off to Europe as a young high school graduate. Spending that summer working on a large sailboat cruising the Mediterranean and competing in various classic regattas, James had unlocked the door that would ultimately lead to a career working on superyachts. After completing a bachelor’s degree in business at the University of Cape Town, James returned to yachting. His career has taken him from deckhand to officer, navigating the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Central America, North America up to Alaska, and French Polynesia in the South Pacific. This is where he dreams of one day settling down with his partner, Roxane. In his free time, James stays active. His hobbies include surfing, golf, hiking and working out. He also enjoys rugby and personal development, exploring human optimisation. He loves experiencing new landscapes and cultures across the world.

James Platt
First Officer
Martin grew up in the suburbs of Montreal and speaks English, French and Spanish. His early interest in outdoor sports led him to become a whitewater rafting guide in his late teens, travelling to Nepal and Mexico. His love of adventure later took him to the Riviera Maya, where he became a scuba instructor, working in locations such as the Maldives and French Polynesia. During his time in French Polynesia, Martin experienced his first helicopter flight in the Marquesas and decided to become a pilot. After training in Quebec, he spent seven years flying in New Zealand’s Southern Alps, the Canadian Rockies, Alaska and French Polynesia. He has flown the Bell 206 Jet Ranger, Astar 350 and Airbus 145. Martin joined HODOR in July 2020 as a dive instructor and helicopter pilot and is now also a certified submarine pilot. In his free time, he paraglides and kiteboards.

Martin Lavoie
Helicopter & Submarine Pilot / Deckhand
Christopher grew up by the beach in South Africa, where his life has always revolved around the ocean. He began his yachting career straight out of high school and has spent the last four years in the industry. Drawn by travel and meeting people from all walks of life, he quickly found his place at sea. He has cruised extensively along the U.S. East Coast and the Bahamas. His goal is to become a capable and confident captain. In his spare time, Christopher enjoys golf, surfing, fishing and staying active.

Christopher Massey
Deckhand
Troy was born in Finland and grew up in Antigua. He has been with the programme for six years and on HODOR since the build. He took over as Captain in 2021. In his spare time, Troy enjoys motorsports and fishing. In the future he would like to learn to weld.

Troy Eriksson
Captain
Abigail grew up in the coastal town of Southport, near Liverpool, where she developed an early appreciation for the sea and travel. After leaving school, she trained as a hairdresser before embarking on a successful six-year career as cabin crew with British Airways. During this time, she honed strong skills in customer service, professionalism, and working efficiently in fast-paced, high-pressure environments. Her background in aviation naturally led her into yachting, drawn by the opportunity to combine her passion for hospitality with travel and life at sea. A native English speaker, Abigail brings a warm, approachable demeanor to every role and takes great pride in creating exceptional guest experiences while working seamlessly as part of a close-knit crew. In her free time, Abigail enjoys practicing yoga and hiking to maintain balance and fitness. A fun fact: she is a devoted Liverpool FC supporter and loves attending live matches at Anfield.

Abigail Chadford
Stewardess
Juliet was born in Sydney and grew up in Auckland. Before yachting, she spent four years in radio broadcasting. After Covid, she decided to travel and base herself overseas, seeing it as the perfect time to pursue yachting. An active person, Juliet spends her spare time hiking, diving, running, doing yoga or shopping. She also loves cooking and spending time with her large family. Her favourite destinations so far include Japan for its food and culture, South Africa for its wildlife and landscapes, and Indonesia’s Komodo Islands for diving.

Juliet Wrathall
Stewardess
Jason grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, before later moving to Cape Town, where his passion for food and the outdoors began to flourish. Surrounded by South Africa’s diverse cultures and vibrant flavors, he developed a love for cooking from an early age. In 2009, Jason decided to pursue this passion professionally and trained to become a chef. Cooking quickly became more than just a career—it became a creative outlet and a lifelong passion. After gaining valuable experience in the culinary world, he went on to open his own small Asian fusion takeaway, where he was able to experiment with bold flavors and share his food with others.

Jason Julius
Crew Chef
Johnny has spent over 20 years at Airbus Helicopters as a completion expert before joining yachts. A former United States Marine, he brings strong discipline and precision to his work. Originally from Indiana, he now lives in Dallas, Texas, with his family. An avid outdoorsman, he enjoys time in the Texan wilderness, salsa dancing with his wife and the Dallas nightlife. Always smiling, Johnny is a pleasure to work with.

Johnny Burris
Helicopter Mechanic
Emmanuel (Matty) completed a four-year degree in maritime studies, after which he began his career on container and tanker ships. Two years later he shifted to the more enjoyable world of yachting. Matty has been with the LONIAN/HODOR owner for 17 years and counting. He loves all watersports, including snorkelling, scuba diving and wakeboarding. If there’s any activity on the water, he won’t be far away. Friendly and team-oriented, Matty enjoys working towards shared goals. He values the chance to travel to exotic places he’d never otherwise visit. He also loves gardening, exploring and trying new activities.

Emmanuel Matalote
Bosun
Growing up on the east coast of South Africa, Brad’s path to the water was inevitable. He competed in waterskiing at an international level through school before spending seven years cycling professionally around the world. Eventually the lure of the ocean proved too strong, and Brad joined the yachting industry. He has since worked on busy charter boats with high standards and thousands of miles at sea, earning his OOW

Bradley Stroberg
Chief Officer