Captain Cameron has been in the Superyacht industry for 14 years. He started onboard VA BENE as Chief Officer shortly moving up the ranks to Captain in 2017. He has crossed the Atlantic 14 times, working aboard numerous high-profile yachts including some of the largest yachts in the world. His extensive charter experience covers the whole of the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and also cruising the coasts of the United States. He completed his Master's 3000 licenses in 2016 at the Maritime & Coast Guard Agency in the United Kingdom. As Captain, Cameron takes overall responsibility for VA BENE. He is highly qualified in all areas from Navigation, Maritime Communication, Firefighting, Sea Survival, Emergency Medical training to name a few. Rest assured overall safety and the safety of his guests will at all times be Captain Cameron’s priority. After seven years onboard VA BENE, Cameron knows every inch of his vessel, he prides himself on caring and looking after her, as he feels she has given a lot to him and he has dedicated many hours to keep her a well-oiled machine. His experience and wealth of knowledge for chartering in the Mediterranean especially onboard VA BENE shall make your charter a smooth, safe, and fun experience. You will find Cameron’s calm and easy-going manner enables a great Charter atmosphere. He prides himself in the organization of his team and having a well-trained crew to best support him whilst at sea. No request or question is too outrageous.
When Cameron is not in command, he spends his spare time enjoying golf and playing guitar.
Joined VA BENE in April 2015.
Previous Yachts
M/Y AL MIRQAB (133m)
M/Y LADY MARINA (64m)
M/Y ALTITUDE ( 55m)
M/Y NEWVIDA (49m)

Cameron Smith
Captain
A lifelong sailor, Adam has worked on yachts for more than 20 years, serving both royalty and high-end clientele on private and charter vessels. His experience spans both motor and sailing yachts ranging from 40m to 120m. Adam has a deep love for the sea, some say it runs through his veins. With boundless energy and an infectious can-do attitude, he is dedicated to ensuring that every guest enjoys a truly memorable experience on board VA BENE. His extensive skill set allows him to deliver exceptional service while ensuring that guests are always safe and well cared for. Adam speaks English and basic French, Italian and Spanish.
When he is not at sea, Adam can often be found cycling across countries, and sometimes even continents.
Joined VA BENE in April 2026.
Previous yachts
M/Y GO (76m)
M/Y DEJAVU (50m)
M/Y LADY ANN MAGEE (49m)
M/Y CORINTHIAN (39m)

Adam Aldum
First Officer
Dia grew up in a quaint village in Crete, Greece, surrounded by boats, water sports and beautiful beaches. Her family’s involvement in fishing and boating sparked her passion for the sea from a young age. Before joining the yachting industry, Dia worked in a variety of hospitality roles in both the UK and Greece. Prior to this, Dia studied Interior Design in Devon, which gave her a refined eye for detail, aesthetics and creating exceptional guest experiences on board. In her spare time, she loves travelling and exploring new places, whether it’s a charming coastal village or somewhere completely off the beaten track.
Joined VA BENE in April 2026.
Previous yachts
M/Y STELLA MARIS (72m)
S/Y Q (52m)
S/Y PRANA (51m)

Dia Ieronymakis
Stewardess
Caitlin is from a small coastal village in Donegal, Ireland, where she developed a natural love for the ocean and outdoors. She began working in hospitality at a young age and has since built solid experience across hotels, fine dining restaurants, and bars. This background has given her a strong work ethic, excellent guest service skills, and keen eye for the detail. She joined the yachting industry a year ago, combining her passion for hospitality with her love for travel and new experiences. In her free time, Caitlin enjoys backpacking and traveling to discover new cultures.
Previous yachts
M/Y MIMTEE (79m)
M/Y SEA HUNTRESS (55m)
Joined VA BENE in April 2026.

Caitlin Keogh
Stewardess
Born in Brazil and based in Portugal for many years, Paulo has spent most of his life connected to the ocean. As an oceanographer, he led oceanographic cruises and research laboratories focused on marine protected areas, microalgae, and fisheries biology, with part of his life closely connected to the Atlantic waters and the Azores. His maritime career later evolved into engineering and yacht operations, including the management of shipyard projects for merchant vessels and charter yachts. A lifelong surfer, he has always enjoyed an active lifestyle inspired by the sea. Running, swimming, and disciplines such as Aikido are also part of Paulo daily life and reflect his appreciation for balance, discipline, and the outdoors.
Paulo enjoys combining technical knowledge, hands-on experience, and a genuine passion for the ocean and the charter lifestyle.
Previous yachts
S/Y ILTICH (27m)
M/Y ONIX (23m)
Joined VA BENE in May 2026.

Paulo Nagib
Chief engineer
Originally from New Zealand, Hugh traded a career in agricultural commerce and property valuation for the adventurous life of yachting. Before joining VA BENE, he gained valuable experience as a deckhand for the Harbour Master in Nelson, NZ. An avid mountain biker, Hugh’s love for adventure extends to his past as a competitive rower, where he represented New Zealand's U21 team at the Henley Royal Regatta. Always ready to share his expertise, Hugh is your go-to for tips on the rowing machine and outdoor adventures.
Joined VA BENE in August 2024.
VA BENE is Hugh’s first yacht

Hugh Pawson
Engineer
Before entering yachting, Kian completed his Divemaster and Master Scuba Diving certifications and spent a year working at a dive centre in Mozambique, where he gained valuable experience in diving operations and delivering guest-focused service. He has worked on vessels ranging from 30m to 88m, allowing him to develop strong experience across a variety of yacht sizes and onboard environments. Kian is an energetic and highly active individual who thrives in the outdoors. In his spare time, he enjoys kitesurfing, surfing and hiking.
Joined VA BENE in April 2026.
Previous yachts
M/Y ULYSSES (103m)
M/Y SUNRAYS (86m)
M/Y NORA (62m)
M/Y NELA (42m)

Kian Taylor
Deckhand
Grace hails from Cheshire, England. She has always had a fierce passion for the ocean and was fortunate enough to have grown up around, spending her holidays on boats. Grace’s other passions include horse riding, scuba diving and fashion. Her main interest is a love for house music and disco and due to this, Grace has been a professional DJ for five years. She studied maths, economics and law in college but joined the yachting industry at 18.
Grace is looking forward to welcoming charter guests on board VA BENE.
Joined VA BENE in April 2026.
Previous yachts
M/Y AHS (66m)
S/Y PARSIFAL (53m)
S/Y Q (51m)
M/Y ROCKET (50m)

Grace Whittaker
Chief steward/ess
Having grown up on the south coast of the UK and spending his childhood summers on or in the sea, it was a natural progression for Martin to pursue a career on the water. Fast forward 25 years, and his passion for yachting remains as strong as ever. As Master of yachts ranging from 40 to 80m over the past 10 years, Martin has cultivated a warm and welcoming atmosphere. He demands the highest standards from his crew, but always with a laugh and a smile. Nothing makes Captain Martin happier than receiving compliments about his team and the unforgettable experiences guests enjoy on board.
Although Martin officially joined the team in May 2026, he is already highly familiar with the yacht and its programme, having completed three winter seasons aboard VA BENE as Relief Captain and two charters as Captain in the past.
Joined VA BENE as Relief Captain in 2022 and as Rotational Captain in 2026.
Previous yachts
M/Y RABDAN (72m)
M/Y STARBURST III (47m)
M/Y DEEP BLUE II (44m)
M/Y SARHA (42m)

Martin Callaghan
Captain
Dylan hails from Johannesburg where he represented the South African men’s golf team before studying in Stellenbosch and finding a passion for wine in this superb wine region. Not satisfied on land, Dylan has been yachting since 2018 but still harbours a deep love for the African wild and the animals it hosts. A lover of water sports, Dylan loves to take charter guests on memorable beach trips.
Joined VA BENE in December 2023.
Previous yachts
M/Y LADY KATHRYN V (62m)
M/Y SEA OWL (62m)
M/Y LA TANIA (50m)

Dylan Raubenheimer
Bosun