5 PALMS Yacht Charter

Captain: Daron Whyms

Captain | Daron Whyms | Bahamian
BIO: Daron was raised in the small settlement of Staniard Creek located in the largest island of The Bahamas known as Andros. It is here where his love for the seas and boats manifested. He enjoyed traveling back and forth on the Mailboat from Andros to Nassau and was fascinated by this way of transportation and the spectacular views that came with it.
At the age of eight, Daron drove a boat for the first time; a sailboat and later captained one officially. Now with over 25 years of seamanship experience nationally and internationally with a 300T International Masters License, Daron has commanded and maintained a variety of private, charter and commercial vessels ranging up to 200 feet. He takes pride in his leadership qualities and professionalism while maintaining an honest, reliable, adaptable and safe environment for guests and crew. Being a native to the Bahamas, it is especially exciting for him to be able to take guests on adventures to see the beauty of these islands as well as the marine life above and below the sea. When not working aboard, Daron enjoys DIY projects, traveling and spending time with his family.


Chef (Freelance) | Simara Hield | Bahamian
BIO: Chef Simara Hield's culinary journey began as a young child in her grandma's kitchen. Her family owned a local food truck, where she first received hands-on training and learned some of her most cherished Bahamian recipes. Her love for cooking only grew with age. As a teen, Simara traveled to compete in competitions and represented Queen's College, her high school, on the world stage. The craft allowed her to be creative and express herself through her dishes. She used ingredients, flavours, and colours to tell a story.

Simara always knew she'd be a chef. So, it came as no surprise when she pursued her degree at the Arts Institute of Atlanta. Her time spent living, working and studying in that city made her fall in love with Southern Comfort Food. Dishes like shrimp and cheesy grits, fried chicken and waffles and peach cobbler are staples in her arsenal. After graduating, Simara returned to The Bahamas. Though she worked in many fine restaurants, she credits her growth as a chef to her time at Treasure Sands Club. There, she met her mentor Head Chef Kayonique Mckenzie. Under her guidance, Simara mastered the art of sushi.

While working in Abaco, Simara lived in a quaint apartment on the beach. Being next to the ocean made her feel grounded, and the sounds gave her a sense of peace. Her next move was the perfect marriage of her love for cooking and the sea. Since becoming a yacht chef, Simara has added fishing to her hobbies and loves planning meals around a fresh catch.

"When Chef Hield is in the kitchen, you can always count on a dish that delivers taste, beauty, and nutrients."


Deckhand | Kenzie Belidor | Bahamian
BIO: Born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas—sun, sand, and sea are my roots. I’m 21 years old, and my journey into the yachting industry is driven by passion and curiosity. Before diving into yachting, I spent 2 years as a Server at a restaurant, where I learned how to provide exceptional service and connect with people. In my free time, I played soccer for a local team , building teamwork and perseverance.

My love for the sea and hands-on work led me to experience exterior and maintenance roles on private yachts during my days off. I instantly knew this was my calling—there’s always something new to learn, and I thrive in this ever-changing environment.
Yachting isn’t just a job for me; it’s my passion and future. I’m excited to grow and make a meaningful impact in this industry!


Stewardess (Freelance) | Courtney Kemp | Bahamian
BIO: My name is Courtney Kemp and I’m 35 years old. I was born and raised in Nassau, Bahamas where I attended Kingsway Academy from kindergarten to grade 12. In high school I found a passion for playing soccer on both my school and the national team as well as a love for science, specifically biology and environmental science.

I attended Flagler College in St Augustine, Florida, graduating in 2016 with a Bachelor’s degree in education with a minor in environmental science. In the summer of 2017 I was hired as an education officer at the Leon Levy Native Plant Preserve, which is a national park located in Eleuthera, Bahamas. All national parks in The Bahamas are managed by The Bahamas National Trust. Here at the preserve, I learned a wealth of knowledge about endemic, native, non native, and invasive species of flora and fauna from the leading expert in Bahamian botany, Dr. Ethan Freid.

During the Covid-19 pandemic I relocated to Spanish Wells, Eleuthera. From 2020-2022 I worked at a small private school called The Children’s Place. Here I was in charge of initiating and being the head teacher of an upper school level classroom ranging from grades 4-10. In 2023 I decided to make a significant shift in my career path and got my STCW certification to embark on a completely new journey. I have worked in yachting for over 3 years with experience in both land based and yacht positions. This has allowed me to hone in on my skills in hospitality, and guest service. I thoroughly enjoy working in this dynamic field which also has allowed me to be creative and adaptable while experiencing diverse cultures, backgrounds and locations. Outside of my professional life, I find joy in the outdoors and use every opportunity to explore and enjoy all The Bahamas has to offer. I take any and every chance to enjoy the beach and ocean whether it’s taking a walk or spending the day island hopping. I am certified in both yoga and fitness training and enjoy continuing to maintain and learn more about our bodies and how to keep them healthy and functional.



Stewardess (Freelance) | Ashley Johnson | Bahamian
BIO: Ashley has been in the maritime industry for over 8 years. She has honed her interior and exterior skills throughout the years on a range of vessels, making her a valuable asset to the team. Having traveled all throughout Europe, the Bahamas and Caribbean, and US east coast, Ashley enjoys being amongst new areas of the world and exploring new destinations. Ashley looks forward to providing excellent service to guests and ensuring each experience is unforgettable.