CREW PROFILE
Chris Wallace – Captain
Languages Spoken: English
Captain Chris, originally from the south of England, has been in yachting for 20+ years. His favorite things about yachting include navigation, challenges, water sports, and meeting all the great people. He got into yachting by virtue of helping people with boats in his local marina. After a while, people started paying him to help and he soon discovered all the benefits that come with a career in yachting. So, he sold everything he had (except his windsurfing gear), got licensed, and went and got his first job as an engineer on the classic, Moonmaiden II.
A fun fact about Captain Chris, when he finished college, he moved to the Canary Islands and lived in a tent on the beach for 2 years. Also, at 17 years old, he came 2nd in the under 19’s national windsurf championships in the UK. Finally, he loves telling Dad jokes, as he often finds they make him laugh!
Carla – Mate
Languages: English
Carla has been in yachting for 9 years and hails from South Africa. Her favorite yachting activity is Scuba diving and, is how she found her way into yachting! Carla is a PADI certified open water instructor and holds a 200 Ton Yacht Master License. A fun fact about Carla is she used to teach kids how to ride horses and really likes cake, yum!
Jess – Chef
Languages Spoken: English
Jess grew up on the border of North Wales and Shropshire but spent a lot of time on the coast near Abersoch where she now has a vacation cottage. She has been working in the yachting industry for 10 years, traveling between the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and USA. Her favorite yachting activity is scuba diving and experiencing all the beauty of the underwater world. Along with completing culinary school in 2018, chef also holds a power boat level 2 cert, has completed multiple sailing courses, is a PADI advanced open water diver, and holds a wine and spirit certification.
Jess made her way into yachting at the age of 18 while working in a high-end restaurant and looking into courses in hospitality. One day, her mum heard from someone about a yachting opportunity. They eagerly investigated the opportunity and booked a 5-week course in the Isle of Wight; the rest is history! A fun fact about chef is she has visited half of the states in the U.S.
Dani - Chief Stew
Languages Spoken: English, Thai
Dani has been yachting for five and a half years now. She grew up between Indiana and California. Dani made her way into yachting when a friend of hers, who spent a substantial amount of time in the British Virgin Isles for work, told Dani about the exciting stories she heard from her friends there in yachting. Dani thought their job sounded amazing and was already working in hospitality at the time. That, coupled with her love of traveling, made a career in yachting seem like a natural fit. So, after doing some research, she made the move to South Florida to embark on an exciting new career!
Dani just loves being in the water. Whether it’s just swimming, snorkeling, or paddle boarding, the water is where she finds her bliss. A fun fact about Dani is she comes from a big family with 6 brothers and sisters, so she was already used to living with several people and the chaos that ensues in a big family! This helped prepare her for life in a small crew mess with her big boat fam!
Sarah lee Alcock –2nd Stewardess
Education/Certifications: Bachelor of Commerce Marketing Management - IMM Graduate School, Stellenbosch RSA, STCW Basic + PDSD, ENG 1, SYSA Interior Introduction Course, RYA Power Boat level II, SYSA Food Service Introduction, SAS Skipper’s License, SYSA Wine and Cocktail Introduction, MCA/Highfield Food Health Safety Level II
Languages: English, Afrikaans
Sarah grew up in Knysna, a small town in South Africa located right in front of the sea and lagoon. As a child, she and her brother who is also in yachting, spent the majority of their time on boats. Sarah first entered yachting in 2020 and hasn’t been back home since. She has always been fascinated with the industry after watching a number of her friends become yachties. When she finished studying for her BCom Degree, she decided to do her yachting courses and see what the yachting world was about.
Sarah brings along her love and dedication for being a Stewardess. She thrives off the fast pace and pressure this job entails and strives for perfection in everything that she does. Sarah loves serving and engaging with the guests, coming up with creative table settings, and teaching new aspiring stewardesses all the knowledge she has gathered this far. She is known to be a positive personality, keeping fellow crew members in high spirits throughout each day.
In her spare time Sarah enjoys running, swimming, kitesurfing, cross country cycling, sewing, knitting, playing field hockey, and socializing with friends.
Sarah wants guests to look at every table setting, every meal, every drink made, and the attention to detail given in their cabins and common areas, and be wowed at service and experience the crew has provided.
Mikaela – 3rd Stew
Languages Spoken: English, Conversational Spanish
Mikaela is originally from South Africa, 4 years ago her family moved to the States and so began her yachting career.
She is a pastry Chef by trade who studied culinary arts and advanced pastry at 1000 Hills chef school for 2 years. Her sweet nature and hard work ethic make her an extremely valuable member of the team.
Mikaela has been on Starship since Feb 2019 and is excited to continue her yachting career with hopes of more travel and one day becoming a chief stewardess.
James - Chief Engineer
Languages: English
James was raised in Newport, South Wales, and has been yachting 6 years while working on cruise ships prior. James holds a SV 9000/3000KW Second Engineer Unlimited. James’ favorite yachting activity is most definitely the Jetski, he loves to go fast! James made his way into yachting after spending 5 years working on cruise ships and looking to make a change. He always heard about the exciting opportunities yachting held and decided to make the jump in 2016. A fun fact about James is as a child, he was a very talented bass trombonist. He e achieved 8th grade standard and played in several reginal and national ensembles.
Brian Hopton – Deckhand
Education/Certifications: Retailing and Computer Sciences – University of Arizona
Languages Spoken: English
Brian was born and raised 45 minutes north of LA in Woodland Hills. Always having a passion for travel, he decided to join the yachting industry in 2019. Prior to yachting, he was in the hospitality industry working for the Mariott for five years.
Onboard Brian is responsible for orchestrating and capturing all the fun that’s to be had. He is the videographer and photographer that provides guests with moments to last a lifetime. Currently, Brian is working towards his 100 ton USCG license.
In his spare time, you can find Brian golfing, surfing, playing pickleball, and did we mention golfing? Brain can’t wait to host his next guests to provide them with a new level of fun and discovery onboard 143’ STARSHIP.
Dane – Bosun
Languages: English
Dane has been in yachting for almost four years now. He grew up between South Africa, the U.K. and Zimbabwe. Dane was introduced to yachting by a few of his close friends who were working in the industry. It sounded like something he would enjoy doing so he jumped in. Danes favorite yachting activities are Snorkeling and water sports. He holds an AEC1, Yachtmaster, EDH, Yacht Rating and Padi open water certification. A fun fact about Dane is he used to be a pretty good juggler!
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