Lady Joy Yacht Charter

Captain: Chris Thomson

Chris Thomson
Captain (rotation), UK
Joined LADY JOY in May 2013
Raised on the South Coast of England, Chris started sailing at an early age and travelled Europe sailing both competitively and for pleasure. Now a father of two, time for hobbies is limited, but whenever an opportunity arises, he loves to introduce his children to boat life on the family sailing yacht or take to the water windsurfing. His safety consciousness is more pronounced as a father than ever, and he ensures that safety is of paramount importance on board LADY JOY. When maritime weather conditions are unsuitable, Chris is more than likely to be enjoying a round of golf or a game of squash. Chris’s professional yachting career began over twenty years ago, during which time he has also graduated from the University of Plymouth with a BSC honors degree in Marine Technology, and completed his “MCA Master of Yachts License”. Chris has lost count of the number of times he has crossed the Atlantic, and knows the Mediterranean and Caribbean like the back of his hand; he has also spent time cruising the Baltic, Indian Ocean and west and east coasts of the United States. Chris has several exciting itineraries in mind to suit your cruising dreams. You can be sure that Chris will put his all into making your stay on board LADY JOY the holiday of a lifetime.

Dan Waters
Captain (rotation), UK
Joined LADY JOY in June 2018
Dan began his career in 2005 as a cadet in the Merchant Navy and completed a Bachelor of Science in Marine Studies at Plymouth University in England. During his cadetship, he circumnavigated the globe on a variety of commercial ships including several months on a sail training vessel teaching disabled passengers. Since then, he has worked his way through the ranks on a variety of yachts up to 160 meters in length. In his spare time, he enjoys going to the gym and running, but his real passion is fishing. Dan’s adventures have ranged from catching 200lb catfish in Spain to salmon fishing in Alaska! He is also a keen diver and some of his best ones have included swimming with hammerheads in the Galapagos Islands and hand-feeding bull sharks in Fiji. Whether you are looking for a chilled beach holiday or an action-packed adventure, Dan will always go out of his way to make sure that your stay on board LADY JOY is one you will never forget.

Dylan Lenard
Chief Officer, UK
Joined LADY JOY in May 2015
Dylan is an energetic, enthusiastic, and efficient person who loves his career. He always likes to find the positive in everything and this rubs off on those around him. Having grown up in multiple countries including South Africa where he was born, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and England, he developed a passion for the ocean and the outdoors. He loves physical activities and from the adrenaline seekers to the shy beginners, he has been told that he has a knack for getting people to enjoy themselves! He is particularly good with kids, helping them to improve their skills and partake in all the activities the yacht has to offer while always participating in an exciting yet safe manner.

Terry McManus
Chief Engineer (rotation), UK
Joined LADY JOY in June 2023
Terry grew up in the coastal town of South Shields, located in the mouth of the river Tyne in northeast England. As South Shields has a long and proud tradition of seafaring and shipbuilding, it was a natural progression for Terry, along with his passion for marine engineering, to enter the yachting industry. Over the years, he worked his way up the ranks to become Chief Engineer on board LADY JOY. Along with his love for Motocross and motorcycle restoration, Terry keeps fit and active in his spare time with boxing, kickboxing, and martial arts.

Sam Horwitz
Chief Engineer (rotation), UK/USA
Joined LADY JOY in January 2023
Sam was born in Norwich, England and grew up in a small village in the countryside. Surrounded by the rivers and canals of the Norfolk broads, Sam spent much of his childhood sailing and now considers himself an accomplished sailor. After completing high school, he trained to be an electrician, but soon decided he would rather be traveling and spent a year in Australia. Returning from Australia Sam realized he didn’t want to stop traveling and so decided to complete the required courses at the UK Sailing Academy to gain the qualifications needed to work on yachts. Following that he flew to Fort Lauderdale in the United States to join his first yacht as a professional crew member at the start of 2014. Sam first worked on LADY JOY as second engineer in 2015 and has now returned to LADY JOY for his second stint onboard, this time as chief engineer after completing a commercial engineering license and achieving his chief engineering certification. He is interested in a variety of watersports including sailing, scuba diving and surfing and is also a passionate musician and guitarist.

Alice Green
Chief Stewardess (rotation), Northern Ireland
Joined LADY JOY in September 2019
Alice hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Criminology, she held various jobs in retail and then became VIP manager for a well-known local nightclub. A keen sports enthusiast, Alice became team leader of the Red Bull Ireland Wings Team, and also spent more than ten years playing high level netball, representing Northern Ireland and Ulster University. After embarking on a journey of self-discovery, Alice spent a month in India where she obtained her 200 Hours Yoga Teacher Training Certification. Having enriched herself in so many disciplines, Alice decided to join the yachting industry in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since! Yachting has allowed her to incorporate her love of adventure and travel with her passion for high end service. Alice looks forward to greeting guests with a flute of champagne and a warm smile, ensuring that they will enjoy every aspect that LADY JOY has to offer.

Gina Zerman
Chief Stewardess (rotation),
Joined LADY JOY in October 2018
Gina was born and raised in Durban, South Africa. After completing her Bachelor of Commerce Degree & Honours in Financial Management at age twenty one, she decided it was time to immerse herself in different cultures and experiences around the world by joining the yachting industry. Besides basking in the beauty of the ocean and magnificent sunsets, Gina enjoys going for a run, working out in the gym, reading and baking healthy sweets. Gina’s bubbly personality and easy-going demeanor will ensure that our guests have a most memorable stay while on board LADY JOY.

Cameryn Wahunui
Stewardess, New Zealand
Joined LADY JOY in October 2023
Cameron grew up on the North Island of New Zealand, spending her early twenties immersing herself in Wellington's fashion and hospitality sector. Cameron's love for people and her interest in the world around her, encouraged her to study social anthropology. Her years of hospitality experience made her a natural fit for the yachting industry. Cameron loves anything creative, including sewing, knitting and interior design. Her open mind and kind demeanor allow her to connect with all guests on board LADY JOY.

Jadelyn Leonard
Stewardess, Canadian
Joined LADY JOY in January 2024
Jade hales from Montreal, Canada. Growing up, she loved going to her community pool, where she quickly fell in love with synchronized swimming. She liked being in the water so much that she became a lifeguard and instructor for six years. While studying health science in Cegep and biochemistry in university, Jade also worked in the restaurant industry, providing excellent service, and practicing mixology. Jade's passion for swimming, hospitality and travel enticed her to join the yachting industry. Her various hobbies include reading, yoga, and event planning. Jade is excited to create unforgettable memories for all guests on board LADY JOY.

Morgen Wallerich
Stewardess, USA
Joined LADY JOY in August 2021
Morgen grew up in Gig Harbor, Washington. After graduating with a Bachelors Degree in Strategic Communications from Washington State University, she went on to work in the service industry in downtown Seattle. After a few years, Morgen decided it was time to immerse herself in different cultures and experiences around the world by joining the yachting industry and hasn’t looked back since! In her free time, Morgen loves playing tennis, skiing, and going on hikes around the Pacific Northwest.

Fern Graham
Stew Masseuse, Scotland
Joined LADY JOY in September 2024
Fern grew up in Melrose, Scotland, a small town where the Rugby sevens were invented! After volunteering in Tanzania in 2016, She knew she wanted to explore more of what our beautiful world has to offer. After studying business management in Glasgow, Fern was introduced to the yachting industry. During the past three years, she has worked on motor and sailing yachts ranging in size from forty-five to one hundred meters. Like her mother who is a sports therapist, Fern obtained her body massage diploma. Moreover, she recently returned from Southeast Asia where she completed an authentic Thai massage course. She is excited to utilize these skills on board LADY JOY and to invite our guests to wind down and relax with a massage of their choice. In her free time, Fern loves to participate in any sport thrown her way and is particularly fond of golf, snowboarding and of course all water sports.

Vincent Vieira
Chef (rotation), France
Joined LADY JOY in March 2017
Originally from Cannes in the south of France, Vincent grew up in a typical French family that loved to cook. He attended culinary school at age sixteen and graduated two years later. Since then, Chef Vincent has worked around the world in fine dining restaurants, luxury hotels and for a British Premier League Football Club. Having worked in the yachting industry for over twelve years, his extensive travels have naturally inspired and enriched his culinary expertise. Whether it be French, Italian, Mediterranean or Asian, it will be Chef Vincent’s pleasure to treat our guests to his wide array of menus and to cater to any requests they may have.

Nicolas Cecchella
Chef (rotation), France
Joined LADY JOY iin January 2024
Although Nicolas grew up in the South of France, he has lived in England since 2001. A highly qualified French Chef with over thirteen years of experience, he has worked on various yachts ranging from 43m to 75m in length. Before joining the yachting industry, Nicolas spent ten years working in various fine dining hotels and restaurants in England and on the Côte D’Azur. His culinary style is very diverse, incorporating global flavors from classic French/Mediterranean dishes to Middle Eastern and Asian cuisine. Nicolas is happy to cater to any specific dietary requirements and looks forward to sharing his expertise with all guests on board LADY JOY.

Michael Kilanowicz
Bosun, Poland
Joined LADY JOY in March 2023
Michael was born and raised in a small town in southern Poland surrounded by majestic mountains and many rivers. He developed a passion for both skiing and photography at an early age, and after completing high school, he became a ski instructor for many years. Once Michael obtained his university degree in Cultural Studies, he worked in film production with an emphasis in photography and video. Combining his love of adventure and travel with his knowledge and passion for the visual arts, he decided to join the yachting industry in 2020. For guests who would like a fabulous souvenir of their holidays, Michael is always thrilled to make wonderful videos of them enjoying a phenomenal time on board LADY JOY!

Luke Burrow
Deckhand, South Africa
Joined LADY JOY in January 2024
Born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa, Luke has grown up in and around the ocean and loves all sports and activities that allow him to get into the water. He decided to take his yachting courses right out of high school before moving to the United States with his family in 2019 and one year later, he joined the yachting industry. Luke enjoys surfing, snorkelling, spearfishing and fitness and looks forward to sharing many water sports with guests on board LADY JOY.

David Redelinghuys
Deckhand, South Africa
Joined LADY JOY in January 2024
David was born on the beautiful coastline of Cape Town, where he spent his childhood playing on the mountains and swimming in the sea. Although he always preferred the outdoors, he discovered his love of the ocean once he completed his Surfing South Africa Level 1 Qualification. David has experience in many different industries, from construction to fine dining and made the move to the yachting industry in 2024. During his free time, he enjoys craftsmanship, reading and almost all outdoor sports. With his belief that positivity and happiness are contagious, David always tries his best to spread joy wherever he goes and looks forward to creating a magical experience for all guests on board LADY JOY.

Rupert Berens
Deckhand, Namibia
Joined LADY JOY in September 2024
Rupert was raised on the beautiful coast of Namibia. Encouraged by his love of the ocean, he learned to sail dinghies and yachts as a young boy in school. After completing his schooling, Rupert began assisting with sailboat deliveries across the Atlantic and joined the yachting industry in 2022. Fluent in English and German, Rupert looks forward to sharing his love and enthusiasm of the ocean with all guests on board LADY JOY. His hobbies include diving, surfing and fishing.