I LOVE THIS BOAT

Chad Harlan

Captain

American · English

Born June 30, 1972, in Charlotte, North Carolina, Chadwick “Chad” Harlan spent his childhood splitting time between city streets and the country roads of South Carolina—racing bicycles and motorcycles by day, and learning to sail with his father by age 12. Early regattas on the lakes of NC, SC, and Georgia ignited his passion for both racing monohulls and offshore adventures; at 17, he completed his first Kalua Cup offshore race out of Clearwater, Florida. After earning his USCG 200/500-ton Master’s credential, STCW certification, and a PADI Rescue Diver ticket—alongside some college studies—Chad pursued a successful career as a carpenter and project manager in San Diego, all while cruising the U.S. West Coast on a family sailboat. Twenty-one years ago, he and his wife traded shore-based life for charter yachting, launching a voyage that’s taken him across six vessels and thousands of nautical miles. As Captain, Chad brings calm decisiveness and expert seamanship to every passage. His résumé includes command of I Love This Boat, Pegasus IX, Brandi Wine, Captiva, Zingara, and Pure Puur—each charter operation underpinned by his high-standard leadership, meticulous navigation, and genuine love of hosting. Onboard duties range from helm and watch‐keeping to guest briefings, safety drills, and coordinating deck and interior teams. Fluent in English and backed by decades of hands-on experience, Chad ensures that every detail—from docking procedures to day-to-day vessel maintenance—is executed with precision and professionalism. Off duty, Chad is an avid motorcyclist and world traveler who finds joy in the journey as much as the destination. Whether plotting an over-landing route through Australia’s Outback or exploring the wild sealife of the Pacific Northwest, he thrives on new experiences and stories worth sharing. He loves swapping travel tales with guests over sunset cocktails and teaching them the thrill of two wheels whenever the opportunity arises. His ultimate goal? To keep “pushing” boundaries—seeking fresh adventures at sea and on land, while crafting charter experiences so memorable that guests return year after year.

Steve Gondusky

Engineer

American · English

Born August 3, 1971 in the sailing capital of the world—Rhode Island—Steven Gondusky “Steve” grew up with the ocean as his back door. By age 12 he’d already taken command of family dinghies, and weekends were spent windsurfing, skateboarding, downhill skiing—and sprinting to Brown University track-camp medals in the 100 m and 800 m dashes. After a brief foray into mechanical engineering studies, Steve knew he belonged at sea: in 2000 he launched a career that’s spanned 25 years, seven of which have been aboard charter yachts. Armed with a degree in Marine Systems Engineering, ABYC certifications in electrical and refrigeration, a USCG DDE 4000 endorsement, STCW (advanced firefighting & fast rescue), VPDSD, and ENG1 medical clearance, Steve is the go-to problem-solver below decks. As Engineer on I Love This Boat, he keeps every system humming—from electronics and reefers to watermakers and hydraulics—while donning a “can-do” attitude and pitching in wherever needed. His positive energy and willingness to lend a hand to every department ensure the yacht is always in better shape than when he arrived. When he’s off duty, you’ll find Steve honing his martial-arts belt ranks, tinker­ing on invention prototypes, or planning adventures with his young daughter. He’s an accomplished scuba diver, martial-arts coach, and marine technician who loves teaching everything from watersports techniques to electrical troubleshooting. Whether he’s swapping travel tales from the Bahamas, Mediterranean, New England, Pacific, or his favorite charters in the Bahamas and BVI, Steve’s mission is the same: to leave guests feeling relaxed, inspired to explore beyond their expectations, and eager to return. His guiding mantra? Kaizen—“strive for the best”—because on land or sea, continuous improvement makes every voyage extraordinary. Chef Ximena “Mena” Olds Chef Ximena (“Mena”) brings over 12 years of elite culinary experience to the luxury yachting and private-estate world. Internationally trained from Thailand to Bali, Vietnam, Spain, France, and the UK, she blends global cuisine mastery with a uniquely health-focused, high-frequency culinary philosophy. Renowned for her calm, systematic approach and exceptional work ethic, Mena consistently delivers beautifully plated, nutrient-forward meals, adapting effortlessly to diverse guest preferences, complex dietary needs, and high-pressure charter environments. Her background spans busy charter seasons, high-net-worth families, wellness-focused principals, and large estates, making her a rare hybrid Chef with both fine-dining creativity and functional, lifestyle-aligned cooking expertise. With strong organisation skills, provisioning experience, immaculate galley management, and a warm, positive presence onboard, Mena is a Chef who both elevates the guest experience and strengthens the crew dynamic. Previous Boats: M/Y Mamma Mia (120’) M/Y Natural 9 (120’) M/Y Arms Reach (130’) and more Chief Stewardess Rebecca "Becca" Olivier McClymont Education/Certifications: African Studies, Social Sciences, AB Seaman, Marlinespike Seamanship, RYA Powerboat, PYA Yacht Interior, PYA Basic Food Service, Wine, Bartending, and Mixology Rebecca grew up in Miami, Florida. As a child, she enjoyed being active and working on various projects, which kept her curious and engaged. She often received awards for her writing and art. She later moved to Tampa for school, and after completing her education, she began her career in hospitality and customer service, where she managed quality assurance for approximately 200 customer service representatives at a reputable telecommunications company. As an adult, Rebecca has also received awards for giving back to her community through nonprofit organizations. Rebecca’s career in the yachting industry began in 2016, when a friend recommended her for a position on a yacht. The vessel had recently been purchased and was undergoing a full refit. She spent nearly a year onboard during the rebuild, and because she became so familiar with the yacht, the owners saw her as a valuable asset and brought me on as Chief Stewardess once the project was complete. Throughout her career, Rebecca has worked aboard several vessels, including M/Y LADY D, M/Y QUEEN D, M/Y LADY DORIS, M/Y TAIL LIGHTS, M/Y GIRL, M/Y NAMASTAY, and M/Y BURN RATE. She currently serves as Chief Stewardess aboard M/Y I LOVE THIS BOAT. Her favorite charter destinations are a close tie between Pink Sands Beach in Harbour Island and the Galápagos Islands, both known for their breathtaking scenery and unforgettable guest experiences. Outside of yachting, Rebecca’s favorite place on earth is simply anywhere her husband and two sons are. In the yachting industry, Rebecca is committed to continually expanding her knowledge and expertise, as she believes there is always something new to learn. She values meeting new people, exchanging experiences, and building meaningful connections. Her goal is to create a lasting, positive impact on everyone she works with and every guest she serves. When guests step aboard M/Y I LOVE THIS BOAT, she strives to ensure they immediately feel at ease, knowing every detail is taken care of and their comfort is the top priority, allowing them to enjoy a completely worry-free and joyful charter experience. In her spare time, Rebecca enjoys exploring vintage shops in search of hidden gems with character and history, often restoring old items into something new. Above all, she values creating a fulfilling life with her family and investing in interesting experiences that enrich them both as individuals and as a family. She and her husband love creating meaningful moments together and focusing on raising their boys to become informed, well-rounded individuals who will be an asset to society. Her life motto is: “Exceed expectations, serve from the heart, and make every experience memorable.” Second Stewardess Samantha "Sam" Childs Education/Certifications: Bachelor of Arts Business Management, PDSD, Food Hygeine Level 2 Growing up in a small county in Virginia called Fluvanna, Samantha was really close with her sister and her happily married parents. While in high school, she was involved in school government, played tennis and continued it into college even being captain of her sophomore and junior year. She began her yachting career in 2024 after realizing that an office job following college was not the right fit for her. Already familiar with Florida through a college friend living in Miami, she decided to make the move and pursue a career in yachting about a year after graduating. Since entering the industry, she has gained valuable charter experience aboard M/Y ROMEO FOXTROT, M/Y TROCA ONE, and M/Y MOONSTONE. She currently serves as Second Stewardess aboard M/Y I LOVE THIS BOAT. She aspires to become a great Chief Stewardess one day, leading an interior team with the same skill and dedication she has admired in her past mentors. She hopes to give back to the yachting industry as it has given to her. Samantha’s goal for guests is to feel as though they are in a home away from home - relaxed, connected with family and friends, and able to create meaningful memories. She loves hot yoga and Pilates, which are her favorite ways to work out. She also enjoys baking and often makes muffins for the crew on weekends. Recently, she has also been exploring videography as a creative outlet. Her life motto is: “We are products of our past, but we don’t have to be prisoners of it. We’re shaped by our past, but not trapped by it. Every day is a fresh start - learn the lesson, release the weight, and keep moving forward.”