Crew Profiles

KIRILL OSIPENKO
CAPTAIN

Languages: English, Hebrew, Russian, Portuguese

Kirill was born in Ukraine and later grew up in Israel. Being in the maritime high-school he got hooked on sailing and adventure and decided to follow the passion of sailing and make it his career. Sailing has brought Kirill to many beautiful and remote exotic corners of the world like the Seychelles in the Indian Ocean, Tahiti in the Pacific, all over the Caribbean and of course the beautiful Mediterranean. Apart from sailing Kirill is a free spirit and loves nature, travelling, meeting new people and exploring new cultures. He loves hiking, water sports, kiteboarding, scuba and free diving and the Brazilian martial art capoeira.

NICOLE SCHAAF
CHEF
Languages: English, German

Nicole’s passion for cooking is closely connected to travel, creativity, and sharing experiences through food. Her career as a yacht chef has taken her across the Mediterranean and Caribbean, where she has developed a fresh, versatile style inspired by local ingredients and global flavours. Alongside her culinary work, Nicole is also a trained food photographer, bringing a strong visual sensibility to her plating and presentation. With several charter seasons behind her, she understands the importance of adaptability, attention to detail, and creating memorable dining experiences for her guests.


KARMELA PRPIC
HOSTESS
Languages: English

Karmela comes from a strong background in hospitality and event coordination, where she developed a natural ability for guest care, organisation, and seamless service. Her experience on Mediterranean yacht charters confirmed her passion for life onboard and delivering polished, attentive service in a relaxed environment. Calm, personable, and detail-focused, Karmela enjoys working closely with guests and crew to ensure every aspect of the charter runs smoothly. She takes pride in anticipating guest needs and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere throughout the journey.


ANDREW DOCKENDORFF
DECKHAND

Languages: English

Andrew is a seasoned deckhand who has taken his passion for nature and the outdoors from land to sea. Andrew grew up in South Africa. He worked as a Field Guide at AndBeyond, Phinda and onboard a charter sailing vessel in Knysna, Western Cape, hosting international guests. His ever growing curiosity for adventure is what drew him to Viva la Vida. Andrew loves sailing and enjoys sharing his experiences with the people onboard. If Andrew is not in the gym, you will find him surfing, hiking or birding.