About M/Y Solemates

Charlotte is an enthusiastic and motivated newcomer to the yachting industry, eager to combine a love for the ocean with a passion for travel. After beginning a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Charlotte realised a desire for a more hands-on and adventurous career that would allow for exploration of the world while making a positive impact on others’ experiences. Naturally outgoing and friendly, Charlotte enjoys bringing people together through engaging conversation, shared activities, and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for guests and crew alike.

With a strong interest in health and fitness, Charlotte maintains an active lifestyle that fuels energy, motivation, and a can-do attitude on board. As a team player, Charlotte excels in collaborative settings, consistently demonstrating initiative while maintaining professionalism and focus on every task. Excited to learn and grow, Charlotte is ready to embrace the challenges and rewards of building a successful career at sea.

Zach grew up in the Boston area with a strong connection to the water, from New Hampshire lakes to the shores of Cape Cod. After discovering yachting in the U.S. Virgin Islands, he pursued his training in Fort Lauderdale and quickly built a solid foundation in the industry.
With a background in team sports, Zach brings energy, teamwork, and a guest-focused approach to every charter. He takes pride in creating an engaging onboard atmosphere, ensuring guests feel relaxed, included, and fully immersed in the experience.

Marcio began his yachting career in 2018 after being given the opportunity to work aboard a yacht, quickly discovering a passion for life at sea. Since then, he has enjoyed working alongside crew from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities, valuing teamwork, respect, and a positive attitude onboard.

As a Deckhand, Marcio takes pride in being helpful, dependable, and attentive to the needs of both the crew and guests. He enjoys being outdoors and brings a friendly and approachable personality to the team, always aiming to help create a relaxed and enjoyable charter experience.

Outside of yachting, Marcio enjoys growing bonsai trees and spending time pursuing outdoor activities. His enthusiasm for the outdoors and commitment to being a supportive member of the crew make him a valuable addition to the Solemates team.

Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Samantha always longed for the ocean’s salty air and sandy shores. The vastness of the sea connects her to something greater, much like the hospitality industry, which ignites Samantha’s passion for teamwork and personalized guest experiences. After studying Psychology for six years, she worked in medical institutions, schools, and NGOs.

In 2016, seeking personal growth, Samantha leaped into yachting, discovering a true calling in creating global adventures. This led to managing a beachfront property business in South Africa, curating unique guest experiences. A lifelong equestrian, Samantha has competed internationally and engaged in equine therapy. Together with her partner, Captain Rob, they embrace life’s joys, whether cooking or adventuring in their Suzuki Jimnys. Samantha treasures simple moments with loved ones and strives to bring that same peace and tranquility to every guest experience.

Charles discovered his love for the water early on while working at a local watersports center. With over nine years in the yachting industry and extensive charter experience, he’s renowned for crafting action-packed, personalized experiences. His adaptability ensures every charter is tailored to meet the unique preferences of each guest.

A passionate sportsman, Charles has led football teams to victory in the Midlands and competed in boxing and tennis, showcasing his strong teamwork and competitive drive. Proudly Scottish and a devoted Celtic FC supporter, his competitive spirit, dedication, and creativity shine through in every charter.

Drawing on his diverse experiences, Charles ensures M/Y Solemates is the yacht of choice, offering an unforgettable adventure. With him leading the deck team this summer, guests can look forward to an exciting journey. Friendly and approachable, Charles has built a successful yachting career and is on the verge of completing his Captain’s qualifications.

Yves has always been drawn to the sea and mountains. Having lived in both the USA and the Côte d’Azur in France, he spent much of his free time sailing and windsurfing, as well as enjoying skiing and snowboarding.

Yves initially studied and worked in mechanical engineering before turning his passion for the ocean into a career in professional yachting. With 18 years of experience in the industry, he brings a strong technical background combined with a genuine love for life on the water.

Now based in the Dominican Republic, Yves was first drawn to the country through his passion for kitesurfing and eventually fell in love with both the destination and his partner. Outside of yachting, he enjoys spending time with his two young children, photography, videography, and flying drones.

As Chief Engineer, Yves takes great pride in keeping the yacht safe, reliable, and running seamlessly behind the scenes. His calm and proactive approach helps ensure that every system is operating at its best, allowing guests to relax, enjoy the yacht, and make the most of their time onboard.

Born in Swaziland and raised in South Africa, Marco discovered his love for the outdoors and adventure at a young age. His active lifestyle is grounded in fitness, hiking, running, football, and padel, keeping him energized and focused on board. A passion for travel and the ocean naturally led him to the yachting industry, where he enjoys combining his enthusiasm and skills to deliver outstanding guest experiences.

He is a certified Jet Ski Instructor, offering safe and engaging instruction to guests, and has recently taken up diving to further connect with the underwater world and expand guest activities on board. With a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and attention to detail, Marco brings professionalism and warmth to his role.

His goal is to create an unforgettable experience for every guest, ensuring each day is both seamless and adventurous, with a genuine focus on fun, safety, and exceptional service.

Christy grew up in Plymouth, known as Britain’s Ocean City, where she developed a love for the ocean from a young age. By the age of 10, she was an internationally competitive swimmer. Her passion for fitness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle led her to complete a sports science diploma, eventually becoming a qualified swimming teacher and fitness instructor. After the pandemic, Christy left her role as a manager and award-winning barista at a coffee shop to join the NHS, completing a year of Adult Nursing at the University of Plymouth and working as a Health Care Assistant in Maternity and Gynecology emergency operating theatres.

With a love for travel, the ocean, and adventure, yachting became the perfect next step. Christy enjoys hiking, swimming, yoga, going to the gym, cooking, and exploring the world with her friends and family. These activities keep her connected to her passions and active lifestyle.

At 23 years old, she brings a refreshing blend of professionalism, warmth, and enthusiasm to the yachting industry. Raised as an expatriate in Hong Kong, she developed an appreciation for diverse cultures, global travel, and teamwork from an early age. Returning to Australia to complete her nursing degree strengthened her compassion, attention to detail, and ability to stay calm under pressure—qualities that seamlessly complement her role onboard.

A natural people person, she thrives in collaborative environments and is accustomed to shared living and team dynamics through both her sporting and professional experiences. Her nursing background enhances her ability to care for guests and crew alike with genuine empathy and precision. Combining her passion for hospitality, wellness, and adventure, she approaches every charter with positivity, professionalism, and a commitment to creating memorable, comfortable, and safe experiences for all guests at sea.

Born in South Africa, Chris has spent most of his life in and around the ocean. A former competitive swimmer, he proudly represented his country on international stages before transitioning from racing across the globe to exploring it by sea. His passion for travel and the water naturally led him to the yachting industry, where he has spent the past two years building a strong foundation as a deckhand. With over 5,000 nautical miles under his belt—including a recent Atlantic crossing—Chris brings experience, enthusiasm, and a safety-first mindset to the team. A certified lifeguard with over a decade of experience, he has personally performed multiple rescues and ensures guests feel safe and confident during watersports.

Chris thrives in team environments, embraces learning opportunities, and always brings a positive, high-energy presence. Friendly, helpful, and engaging, Chris is committed to creating unforgettable, fun-filled memories for every guest on board.

Manuel is a Mexican marine engineer with a commercial maritime background and experience in the yachting industry. With a hands-on approach to engineering, he takes pride in solving problems and ensuring the yacht’s systems operate safely, efficiently, and smoothly.

Friendly and easy-going, Manuel enjoys meeting new people and working as part of a team. He is always willing to lend a hand and support both guests and crew wherever needed. His practical experience, calm approach, and commitment to maintaining the yacht behind the scenes help create a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for everyone onboard.

Brazilian-Italian Paula brings 10 years of professional culinary experience and six years in the yachting industry, having worked across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bahamas, and U.S. East Coast. Her Italian heritage comes from her father’s side and has always had a natural influence on her relationship with food and cooking. Before becoming a chef, Paula spent 15 years working as a dentist before turning her passion for food, travel, and different cultures into a new career. Her culinary background includes restaurant experience and exposure to Michelin-star fine dining, which helped shape her attention to detail, organization, and approach to presentation.

Paula’s cooking is strongly influenced by contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, with Italian and international influences and a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. She particularly enjoys discovering local markets and producers wherever the yacht is cruising and incorporating those ingredients into her menus.

For Paula, a successful charter is about understanding how each guest genuinely enjoys eating. She loves creating personalized menus around individual preferences, dietary requirements, and the rhythm of each trip — from relaxed family-style lunches to refined multi-course dinners. Outside the galley, Paula’s passions include travel, wine, and gastronomy, staying active through running, discovering new cultures, and seeking out new restaurants and culinary experiences for inspiration — influences she continually brings back into her cooking.

After seven years working in fine dining, beginning as a pot wash and progressing to Senior Chef de Partie at a two-Michelin-star restaurant, Ben decided to take on a completely new challenge by entering the yachting industry. This extensive restaurant experience provided a strong foundation in professional cooking, kitchen organization, and the high standards required to consistently deliver exceptional food.

Alongside working in restaurants and being involved in opening new establishments, Ben has a strong passion for travel and discovering different cuisines and cultures. Time spent traveling through India and Thailand provided an opportunity to learn about new culinary traditions and techniques. In his spare time, he also ran a successful Jamaican restaurant pop-up with a close friend, further developing his creativity and appreciation for diverse flavors.

As Sous Chef, Ben brings together the techniques and experience gained throughout his fine-dining career to create balanced, flavorful meals for both guests and crew. Working closely with the Head Chef, he enjoys helping develop and refine dishes while ensuring the galley operates efficiently and to a consistently high standard.

His diverse culinary background, international food experiences, and enthusiasm for exploring different cuisines allow him to bring a creative and well-rounded approach to the kitchen. He looks forward to using the knowledge and techniques developed throughout his career to contribute to memorable dining experiences for guests aboard Solemates.