BACCHUS Yacht Charter

Captain Greg Russell |American / Zimbabwe (rotational)
Greg is originally from Zimbabwe and worked in Cape Town after graduating high school on a research vessel off southwest Africa. After returning to Zimbabwe, Greg pursued life as a tobacco farmer, where he gained many of the skills necessary today in running a large team. His education includes studying agriculture and his 3000T MCA license. He has logged more than 150,000 nautical miles with 11 Trans-Atlantic crossings. Greg has extensive cruising experience throughout the USA East Coast, Bahamas, Caribbean, Eastern & Western Mediterranean, and Baltic. His most memorable trip was taking an expedition vessel from Florida to St. Petersburg, Russia. After spending 15 years captaining the highly successful charter yachts M/Y NAMOH, M/Y LADY J, M/Y CHEVY TOY and recently 3 years on M/Y BELLA VITA (Feadship 45m & Lurssen 75m). Greg is bringing with him his vast knowledge and enthusiasm for cruising and hopes to continue his high level of service and customer satisfaction for his guests.

Captain Peter Pexton |American / British (rotational)
Although Peter grew up in Africa he has dual nationality, US and British. As a captain with 30 years in the industry, he has a worldwide knowledge of cruising destinations, with over 300,000 miles of experience which include a circumnavigation and over a dozen Atlantic crossings as captain. He is well versed in running yard/refit periods on large yachts, having completed the total rebuild of a Feadship at Pendennis shipyard in England and several other large refits in the USA and New Zealand. His record in the charter industry is excellent having run several successful charter yachts in the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bahamas, and New England. He has had longevity with owners and a reputation for putting a good crew together, many who have worked with him for several years. More recently, the motor yachts that he has run, have operated extensively on the US East and West coasts including Alaska and Canada, Caribbean, and the Mediterranean. Prior to yachting, Peter obtained a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Geology and worked in Africa as an exploration Geologist. During this time, he fitted out a 45-foot sailboat with his father which they sailed together from South Africa to the Caribbean then to the Mediterranean. This is when he realized that there was an industry out there that he loved. Peter met his American wife, Pila, in Palma and together they embarked on a career in yachting taking them all over the world, including a 3-year circumnavigation.

Chief Stewardess Courtney Dalziel |South African (rotational)
Having worked extensively in luxury hospitality, managing safaris lodges in South Africa and luxury expeditions in Antarctica, Courtney’s zest for travel and adventure naturally led her into yachting six years ago. Passionate about both the outdoors and interior, she spends much of her spare time exploring the more remote areas of the planet, under water and on land. Aiming to use her Masters Degree in Sustainable Management to open her own luxury ecolodge in the future, Courtney is deeply invested in delivering an outstanding, personal hospitality experience as the head of the BACCHUS interior team.

Chief Stewardess Adri du Toit |South African (rotational)
Ever since Adri graduated high school, she had an eagerness to explore the world, coming from a small town called Winburg, in central South Africa. She wasted no time and worked as a nanny for an affluent family and as a bartender in Amsterdam for one year before she was introduced to the yachting industry, which she has now been part of for 5 + years. Adri is a young, driven individual with the desire to offer the highest standard of service delivery, guidance and inspiration to her team. She loves the intuitive freedom yachting offers and the incredible people she gets to meet. Outside of yachting, Adri has a desire to follow in her father’s footsteps of property development. She loves living a healthy and active lifestyle, hiking often, yoga and surfing. She looks forward to bedazzling you with her outgoing personality and ensure you have a fabulous time on board BACCHUS.

Chief Officer Neil Steenkamp | South African (rotational)
Neil is our ever-positive, gentleman onboard. Having studied Game Ranch Management in South Africa after school, he went on to manage lodges on the islands of Inhaca and Bazaruto in Mozambique, where he was also the Dive Master and go-to Fishing Guide in the area. Three and a half years later and the itch to fish new horizons bit him. He snagged a 200T Captains License and set off with his partner to join yachting. Neil is a fantastic free-diver, competitive bodyboarder and his State Championship Awards for both cricket and tennis, would argue that his swing is not limited to a rod. As the head of the Deck department, Neil has combined all of these experiences into play, where he continues to lead his team with success, to ensure that all the adventure you could wish for on the water is met with fun and a photo worth showing off.

Chief Officer Stefan van Jaarsveld | South African (rotational)
Stefan is our personal trainer on board, always reaches a helping hand and eager to continue doing the best he can. He comes from a small town called Matuba. He studied nutrition and personal training whereafter he worked as a personal trainer for two years before joining the yachting industry in 2014. He worked in the industry for one year and decided to complete a commercial diving course, then completed 2 years of commercial diving experience before continuing in the yachting industry. He has currently been in the industry for the past 6 years and haven’t looked back since. Stefan is a great team leader and keeps everyone involved, it’s safe to say he never fails to put a smile on our faces. Stefan enjoys a variety of activities like diving, fishing, mountain biking, and training. Stefan is also recently married to the love of his life.

Chef Shaun Byers|Australian (rotational)
Shaun was born in Sydney and raised in Melbourne by a single mother with his 3 siblings. After high school Shaun was offered a place at the Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology, however, being inspired by his aunt (an excellent cook), he turned it down for his first restaurant job; an opportunity given to him by a family friend who saw the potential in Shaun. After a year, Shaun applied for a coveted apprenticeship position at Donavan’s 2 Hat restaurant in Melbourne (2 Hat is the Australian version of the Michelin Guide, 3 Hats being the top). Here Shaun perfected flavor combinations starting with Asian and then Italian. He learned how to work effectively and creatively under pressure – on some Sundays the restaurant would serve 500 covers! After almost 3 years, Shaun took his knowledge to the exclusive resort on Haman Island in the Whitsundays where he added fine French dining to his repertoire. But the travel bug bit and after a year Shaun went to England to work at One Aldwych Hotel. When it was time to expand a little more, Shaun travelled to Whistler Ski Resort in Canada. At Araxxi (modern Canadian cuisine) Shaun’s love for organic food was enhanced. His stint at the fine French restaurant Bearfoot Bistro was filled with preparing and serving truffles, caviar, and foie gras. Shaun’s visa expired so he headed back to One Aldwych Hotel, followed by a season in a French ski resort. It was here that Shaun was introduced to the yachting world by some guests. In 2011 Shaun went to sea and has not looked back. He is proficient in Kosher, loves sushi & sashimi and can offer a wide range of cuisines to suit all tastes – from gluten to vegan and catering to nut allergies. His desserts are delicious (ask for his chocolate fondant & panna cotta). His pastry work is wonderful, and he makes all his own breads. Shaun is cool under pressure and loves to have children in the galley on this warm and welcoming family yacht.

Chef Jodi Broad |British (rotational)
Having grown up on the in Cowes on the Isle of Wight, sailing has always been a passion of hers whether it’s racing, cruising or delivering, including regattas such as Cowes Week, Classic Cowes Week, and Old Gaffers. Jodie’s love of food and cooking developed at a young age, cooking as a family alongside her mother, grandparents, and sister on. Along with competing on sailing regattas Jodie was employed to cater for the race crews, cooking in crew houses for various regattas, serving three-course meals for up to 18 people. This was her first catering job, and she got the bug. At the age of 18 Jodie secure a place at the university of Derby to Study Sociology, however she took a gap year to complete a ski season at Les Gets resort in the French Alps. Here she got a taste for providing a more gourmet experience as a chalet Chef. After her season in the Alps, Jodie returned to England, attended University and completed her degree. By now she already knew of the superyacht industry, was offered employment on a 30m sailing yacht as chef/Stew and jetted of to meet the yacht in Cambodia. In the yachting industry for 10+ years, she has a passion for food and creating an unforgettable experience with a wide culinary repertoire while catering to dietary and allergy requirements. Her favorite cuisine is anything Asian, fresh and healthy, and baking. Jodie has worked on some of the most prestigious sailing yachts in the world, from classic J Class Yachts, SY VELSHEDA and SY RAINBOW to high performance racing yachts, SY NILAYA and SY WINWIN.

Engineer Dean van Kuijeren |South African (rotational)
Born in South Africa, Dean grew up enjoying the outdoors. After university, he became involved with a satellite telecommunications company as a Field Operations Engineer where he travelled Africa and beyond. In 2014, Dean moved to the UK where he worked servicing major electrical transformers. After a year of travelling the UK and EU, the high risk involved in his job coupled with the extreme cold and gloomy weather called for a vacation to the USA. One month later, Dean joined yachting. Starting as a mate/engineer, he used his experience to fix and solve problems on yachts before gaining his Captain’s license and running a 103ft Sportfish. Three and a half years later, his passion for fixing overtook his desire for running a yacht, and now enjoys a career as a yacht engineer.

Engineer Leo Victor Davis |South African (rotational)
Leo joined BACCHUS one year after attending the Olympics for sailing in Tokyo, Japan. Leo proves to be a man of many talents as he accustomed to the engine room, an Olympic sailor and an artist with both a paint brush and a pencil. Leo comes from Cape Town, South Africa, where he attended Sacs High school and then the University of Cape Town to study mechanical engineering. He was part of the national rowing team for 4 years prior to joining yachting. Leo has long had a passion for boating, he grew up on the Knysna lagoon tinkering with boats and engines with his father who is a boat builder. Leo has a keen interest in any water sports like surfing, kitesurfing, sailing, rowing and the list goes on. Leo will brighten up your day with his charming smile and witty sense of humor, ensuring smooth sailing.

Second Stewardess Danielle Acierno| American
Danielle grew up on the south shore of Long Island, NY where she spent summers swimming, boating and clamming on the Great South Bay. While attending Stony Brook University pursuing her degree in English, she began working at Sailors Haven Marina on Fire Island. She spent the next six years working at different marinas from Fire Island to Montauk. Upon graduating college, Danielle spent a year traveling through Latin and South America. She spent six months teaching English in Costa Rica and had the privilege of traveling to Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, and Bolivia. Her zest for travel and her prior boating experience made joining the yachting industry a perfect fit. Danielle joined the yachting industry in 2018 and has gained experience on both motor and sailing yachts. Her easy-going attitude, combined with her passion for service will put you at ease and ensure you have a wonderful experience.

Bosun Lance Ikida| South African
Lance is a hardworking and dedicated 25-year-old who grew up in a beautiful town in the heart of the Garden Route named George. He thrives on challenges and constantly sets goals for himself. He started his yachting career in 2018 and strives towards being a motivator and leader who is easily approachable. After graduating high school, Lance played rugby for a while before the travel bug bit him and he pursued a career in yachting where his outgoing personality thrives. He is an adventurous “go-getter” and loves any type of sport.

Third Stewardess Alexandra Andrade | American
Born and raised in Rhode Island, also known as the “Ocean State”, Alexandra spent her summers boating and fishing with her family around Newport. After graduating at the university of Rhode Island with a degree in Physical Therapy, her love for the water and adventure is what led her into the unexpected world of yachting. Starting as a Deckhand/Stewardess Alexandra is not shy to get stuck in wherever needed. Having recognized her enjoyment in the finer details, she recently joined the BACCHUS team as a full-time stewardess. She hopes to help create amazing memories onboard and continue to learn and grow through her travels along the way.

Deckhand Keegan Wessels | South African
Keagan comes from the quaint, scenic town of East London. Growing up in the outdoors visiting some of the many wildlife reserves, surfing, body boarding or fishing with his father, Keagan developed a passion for the ocean and wildlife. As a true South African, he is a keen sportsman with a particular love for Rugby but if you were to ask him, he would claim to have the ability to be a ‘semi- professional’ in everything involving camaraderie and a team. It was only inevitable that Keagan then found himself in yachting. As the team token Redhead, you can rest assured that Keagan will have you in fits of giggles whilst helping you with anything you need, especially if it’s having fun!

Second Deckhand Francois Burger |South African
Francois is one of the two newest faces on board and completely new to the yachting industry. Francois all the way from a small town in the heart of the Cape wine lands, South Africa. He studied at the university of Stellenbosch where he obtained his Bcom Management science degree. Francois proves to be a great asset to the team with his easy-going personality, eagerness to help, his great choice of music and unique sense of humor that everyone loves. Francois favorite motto is “Do good and good will come to you”. He loves the ocean and enjoys fishing, bodyboarding and diving. Francois is also a competitive golfer.

Fourth Stewardess Allynne Yates | American
Allynne is originally from Washington D.C but more recently has lived in Arlington, Virginia with her family. After Graduating high school, she moved on to Virginia Commonwealth university in Richmond to pursue a career as an elementary school teacher. While keeping up with her studies, she nannied multiple families before realizing her dream of being a stewardess on yachts. Allynne moved to Fort Lauderdale in March and found her first stewardess position in April on BACCHUS. Allynne’s ever positive attitude and grace molds perfectly with the crew and she proves to be a highly valued stewardess. We are happy to have ever while she aims to one day become a chief stewardess herself, train and hire green crew to leave behind an even greater generation of yachties.