Thomas BIK
Mollie OLSSEN
Costanza PESSIO
Glenn WARD
CAPTAIN: Thomas BIK
STCW 95
Nationality: Dutch
Language spoken: Dutch & English
Born and raised in the Netherlands, Namaste’s Captain Thomas has always had a passion for the ocean.
Because both of his parents were sailing fanatics, it was only natural that Thomas spent his childhood partaking in every water sport imaginable. It became very clear that his drive would point him toward a career on the water.
Thomas graduated from nautical college with a bachelor's in Water Management and a minor in Smart Water, followed by a master’s in Hydrology. After graduation, Thomas worked as a first officer on sailing yachts up to 500GT.
He quickly realized that the size of these yachts limited his interaction with guests. He therefore decided to obtain his Yachtmaster Offshore and Ocean certifications and become a captain on smaller sailing vessels.
While working in flotillas in the Mediterranean, he met Chef Mollie. They moved to the south Caribbean to work as a couple on luxury sailing charter yachts.
CHEF – Mollie OLSSEN
Swedish
STCW 95
Languages: English, Swedish, and basic Spanish
Namaste’s Chef Mollie was born in Sweden. At the age of eighteen, she moved to Mexico to pursue her passion for the performing arts. There, she discovered her love of Mexican cuisine.
Mollie found herself following another interest, sport and exercise science, which took her to Australia.
She delighted in the beauty of the country and ended up staying for almost four years while gaining experience in the exercise and restaurant industries.
Eventually, Mollie found a home aboard yachts, where she can travel and work at the same time and meet people from all over the world. Mollie is skilled in many roles, including deckhand and stewardess, but her true passion is the art of cooking.
Chef Mollie has visited and studied the cuisines of more than fifty countries. She utilizes fresh produces and local ingredients to create nutritious and flavorful dishes for Namaste’s guests.
STEWARDESS: Constanza PESSIO
Nationality: Urugyan
STCW
Languages: fluent Spanish, English, Portuguese, and basic Norwegian.
Constanza grew up in the rural area of San Pedro in Uruguay among fruit trees, animals, and South American cowboys “Gauchos”. This upbringing gave her a strong connection with nature that led her to develop a love of trekking, rock climbing and kite surfing.
After completing her degree in Public Relations, Constanza immersed herself in the world of hospitality both on land and at sea. She has worked on yachts for almost ten years cruising the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Pacific.
Her passion for the sea and interest in maritime exploration led her to pursue and complete her PADI Divemaster certification. Constanza enjoys taking Namaste's guests on unforgettable underwater adventures.
She always strives to give guests a memorable stay, making them feel at home with her warm and welcoming personality.
FIRST MATE: Glenn WARD
Nationality: English
MCA ENG1, MCA STCW 95
RYA Diesel Engine Maintenance / VHF Operators licence
Dinghy/Keelboat/Multihull Instructor, Windsurf Instructor, PADI Open Water Diver
Languages: english
Glenn began his career as a multi qualified watersports instructor pursuing his childhood love for windsurfing, kayaking and dinghy sailing.
After teaching at a high wind resort in Egypt he started working on yachts.
After many deliveries and charters on luxury yachts, he has thousands of miles under his belt.
Glenn is also a PADI Rescue Diver and loves exploring the reefs with photography equipment.
With a degree in media and his drone pilot’s license Glenn is always happy to help guests capture special moments during their time onboard Namaste.