OCEANOS Yacht Charter

Captain: Stephen Burke

STEPHEN BURKE | Captain | Australian
Stephen was born and raised in rural New South Wales, Australia. He was always one to be involved
in various sports and learned how to sail small catamarans at the age of 10. Notably, he represented
his home state in field hockey as a teenager. Immediately after graduating High School, he attended
the University of Wollongong NSW, to study exercise science. He later received his Bachelor of
Science degree and worked as a personal trainer, before the overwhelming urge to travel overseas
grew. At 24, Stephen set forth on an adventure beginning in Europe. While the Balearic in islands of
Spain, he discovered the once unknown life of yachting and completed his trans-Atlantic crossing on
a 75’ sloop in 1996. Shortly after that, he began working as a junior deckhand aboard 140’-170’ motor
yachts. Along the way, Stephen has been well mentored by prolific Captains in the industry and
worked his way through the ranks steadily for over 21 years from Deckhand and Bosun to Deck Officer
and Captain. His welcoming demeanor, enthusiasm for travel, and keen sense of leadership lend
themselves perfectly to the role of captain.

JOE HADLEY | Chief Officer | British
Joe was born and raised in Southwest London. Growing up with parents in the TV industry he
was immersed from an early age and found a love for it. He studied TV and Video production at university
and went on to work at a production house as an editor/colourist in London, working mainly
on shows for CNN and Cartoon Network. Feeling the need to experience more of the world he
moved to Australia where he lived for a year, driving round the Northern Coast from Perth to Brisbane.
Following this he moved to Japan for 8 months where he worked as a bar tender at a ski resort
on the northern Island. He joined his first yacht, a 90m, as deckhand in Miami where he worked for
3 years progressing through the ranks, cruising mainly to The Bahamas and New England but also a
summer in Scandinavia. More recently Joe worked primarily in the Pacific doing trips to Galapagos
and Tahiti as 2nd Officer on yachts ranging from 50 - 94m.

RHYS BENNETT | Head Chef | English
Rhys is a passionate, energetic and highly talented Chef, having found his vocation in life…..cooking!
Born and raised in the South-East of England, he moved to London at 18, having left school to
follow a career path in cooking. He trained at the prestigious Westminster College, before moving
on to a highly regarded gastropub in North London where he began to hone his craft. The French
Alps followed, where he lay the foundations for his talent in French cuisine. Afterwards in 2012, he
made the move to Melbourne, Australia, where he worked in several highprofile restaurants, one
specialising in Spanish and another being the Australian outpost of the 2 Michelin starred restaurant,
Dinner by Heston, in London.

SYNIN BEDINGFIELD | Bosun | South African
Synjin was born in Cape Town, South Africa but moved to Johannesburg to complete his high school
education. He got involved in go kart and motocross racing from a young age until an injury stopped
his racing career. Synjin has since tried many different adventures including diving, IRONMAN, wildlife
filming and being a white-water rafting guide. Synjin has been in the industry for 10 years, joining
his first yacht in France in 2012, while working on yachts ranging in size from 50-124m. It’s
unsurprising that he calls Palma de Mallorca, one of the biggest yachting hubs in the world…….
home.
HEDLEY ALEXANDER | Deckhand | South African
Hedley was born in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa. Coming from a sporty family,
staying active has always been his passion. He’s long been exposed to all things maritime from a
young age through his father, who is a Chief Engineer. At the age of 17 he joined the National Sea
Rescue (South Africa) and was involved in numerous search and rescue operations, beach/crowd
control, towing operations, the protection of sea animals and serving as rescue swimmer on board
rescue craft. He is your Chase Boat Captain and can be counted on to shuttle you safely to your next
inviting destination.

CHRIS SWEET | Deckhand | South African
Chris was born in Papua New Guinea, but raised in Durban, Kwa-Zulu Natal Province, South Africa.
He has mixed heritage of British and Irish. He finished his degree in Corporate Communications,
working in the service industry for a large part of his life to support himself during studies. Upon
completion, he lived and worked in Thailand, teaching English and Mathematics to Primary students.
Having family in the yachting industry, he moved towards this career in 2022 and has been enjoying
it since. His love for interacting with people and his outgoing personality certainly shine through
when it comes to the guest experience, & although the newest member of the
crew, he has already made a great impression.

MISHKA VAN NELSON | Chief Stewardess | South African
Mishka is from Cape Town, South Africa. Raised at the foot of the once acclaimed, 7 wonders of the
world: Table Mountain. In 2013 she obtained her Undergraduate Degree and completed it with a
Bachelor of Social Science at the University of Cape Town. In 2014 she then transitioned into the arts
world as a Senior Stills Producer in the Photographic industry. She is technically trained in Modern
dance, Contemporary, Ballroom and continued this for 15 years. Having a family member as a female
Chief Officer, this encouraged Mishka to explore yachting. Now with 7 years in the industry, she
enjoys creating highly memorable guest experiences anywhere she goes. Her knowledge as Chief
Stewardess has been honed through working within reputable programs and enhanced by the abundant
opportunity of travel. She is very driven to bring the highest standard of service and professionalism
within the Interior department.

ANA SANTOS | Second Stewardess | Brazilian
Ana was born and raised in Brasília, Brazil. She always loved to learn and to be involved with different
cultures. After her graduation in Graphic Design in 2019 she took time off to travel around the
United States before returning to Brazil to work as a freelance Graphic Designer. Ana’s passion for
traveling and meeting people brought her into yachting in 2021, taking her on a journey she has
thoroughly enjoyed. She takes pride in providing the best service & is very much a professional, in
her outlook on yachting.

JOHANA VALBUENA | Stewardess | Colombian
Johana was born and raised in Bucaramanga, Colombia. After High School, Johana studied and
attained a Bachelor of Science Degree in Industrial Engineering. Before joining the yachting
industry, Johana worked as an Engineer in Colombia and as an Au pair for 2 years in the USA.
Johana has a passion for travel and is detailed oriented to attending to any task at hand. She joined
the yachting industry in 2021 and has since decided to gain experience to build a career in yachting.

FRIDA DE LA ROSA | Stewardess | Mexican
Frida was born in a small town in Mexico called Atlixco. Some consider this to be the
gastronomic hub of Mexico, and Frida agrees 100%. Frida loves traveling and for this reason, she
decided to become a stewardess so that she can build on her previous experience of being a
cosmetologist and travel the world. She loves the ocean and the Beach and hopes to settle in a
shoreside town one day. Currently, she lives in Cancun, Mexico where she has spent the last seven
years in high-class resorts in the spa department.

TASHAWNA ALLEN | Rotational Chief Engineer | Jamaican
Tashawna was born in Clarendon, Jamaica. She grew up in this area surrounded by family and
friends. She has two children of her own, which she loves to spend time with on her rotational
holiday. She studied at Caribbean Maritime University and worked in the commercial industry (gas
tankers) for 7 years. She then ventured into yachting in 2015. Having come from bigger boats, as
large as 140m, she knew that she had the experience and skills to attain the role of a chief engineer/
sole engineer. She now holds this important title and strives everyday to prove her worth on M/Y
Oceanos. She is a very valuable member of the team!

MIKEL MCLAWRENCE | Rotational Chief Engineer | Vincentian
Mikel was born in Carriacou, the largest island in the Grenadines, rich for its boat-building culture
and white sandy beaches. His parents are shipwrights by trade, and he was exposed to this rich
culture at a very young age. After graduating from the Caribbean Martine University of Jamaica, he
worked in the commercial industry for many years where he acquired many skills and knowledge in
the operation, maintenance, and repair of marine equipment. Two years ago, he decided to venture
into the yachting industry because of his knowledge, and experience, and being an extrovert, he was
able to adapt very quickly to the change in environment.