About M/Y NO SHORTCUTS

Education/Certifications: SCTW, Silver Service, Table Service, Food hygiene MPT Fort Lauderdale, SENA Cooking school, Graphic designer

Erica has over 10 years of experience in the yachting industry as a Chef, having worked throughout the Caribbean, Mediterranean, East and West Coasts of the USA, as well as Central and South America.
She is a creative Chef with a good knowledge of dietary requirements and a variety of cuisines such as Mediterranean, Mexian, Asian, Caribbean, with a particular love for fresh fish, seafood, and sushi. Her cooking style focuses on fresh, healthy and high quality ingredients, creating unique, high end dishes for the crew, owners and guests. She is always learning new techniques and enjoys sourcing local and seasonal ingredients in the destinations she visits. She also makes all her own desserts, pastries and bread.
Outside of yachting, Erica enjoys yoga, travelling, fishing, cooking and sailing.

Education/Certifications: ABC Mixology Course, Savvy Maritime Academy, Florida Boaters License, PADI Open Water Diving

Ashley grew up in Windermere, Florida, surrounded by a chain of 12 lakes right in her backyard. Growing up with her parents and older brother, she spent much of her childhood outdoors, boating and enjoying life on the water. Being raised in such an active, waterfront environment gave her a lifelong love for the outdoors and a natural connection to the boating lifestyle.

Before yachting, she worked as a hostess at a restaurant in Disney Springs. She began her yachting career in 2023 straight out of high school. She was drawn in by her lifelong love of the water and the boating lifestyle she grew up around. Yachting turned her passion into a career while exploring new places, meeting people from all over the world and continuing to learn and grow within the industry.

Ashley's favorite place she has visited is the natural lazy river in the Bahamas. It is also one of her favorite places on earth, as it feels like somewhere you would only see on Instagram and almost too beautiful to be real.

As a Stewardess, Ashley loves surprising people and making them feel special. She wants to create unforgettable experiences for guests and leave a lasting impact on both the guests and the crew. Her goal is for them to have a smooth and relaxing vacation, never having to lift a finger, while she takes care of everything and plans special moments to make their time onboard memorable.

Her life motto is: “Sleep when you are dead.”

Education/Certifications: IYT Master of Yachts Limited 200 GT, RYA Diesel Engine Course, STCW Basic Safety Training, PADI Open Water Diver, Fixed Wing PPL – SACAA

Malcolm grew up in the coastal town of Mossel Bay, South Africa, with his two brothers. He loved playing competitive golf, and if he wasn’t on the golf course, he was out in the ocean surfing, fishing, water-skiing on the lake or hunting.

He has been around boats since childhood, both on the lake and on the ocean. Before entering the yachting, he worked as a Senior Sales Executive for Mercedes-Benz and later at a large used car dealership in South Africa while completing his pilot training and obtaining his pilot license. In 2024, Malcolm started his career in the yachting industry. Having grown up around boats and the ocean, yachting felt like a natural fit. He immediately enjoyed the it and had some wonderful opportunities throughout.

Malcolm wishes to build a successful career in yachting where both his colleagues and guests remember him as someone they can always rely on to get the job done professionally and to a high standard. He wants to earn the respect of those around him, become someone others can look up to for guidance and advice, and leave a positive, lasting impression on the people he works with.

He wants to encourage guests to step outside their comfort zones, experience new things and try activities they might not otherwise have the opportunity to enjoy, all while feeling completely comfortable and safe. Ultimately, he wants every guest to leave with memories that will last a lifetime.

Malcolm has worked on board M/Y STAY SALTY and is currently on board M/Y NO SHORTCUTS. He has cruised Fort Lauderdale, the Bahamas, Dominican Republic, St. Thomas, the BVI’s, Sint Maarten, Anguilla, St. Barths and St. Kitts. His favorite place on earth is anywhere near the ocean, surrounded by good people and making memories. Malcolm has been fortunate enough to visit some incredible places but believes it’s the people you’re with that make a place truly special.
After his yachting career, he would love to return to aviation, start his own business and make a big success of it.

In his personal life, Malcolm has a great passion for golf and always tries to play new courses whenever he gets the opportunity. Having played golf at a competitive level, he has a good understanding of the game and can teach golf at an intermediate level.He also enjoys scuba diving, hiking, water sports and exploring new places.

Malcolm’s life motto is: “Be the person you want in your corner.”
Quote he lives by: “Never let the actions of others change the person you are. Their character is their responsibility, yours is your legacy.”

Education/Certifications: STCW 2010 including PDSD, Elementary First Aid (EFA), Marine Fire Fighting (MFF), Personal Survival Techniques (PST), Personal Safety & Social Responsibility (PSSR), PBYA Yard Period Essential Training, SAMSA & ENG 1, Competent Crew, Diesel Engine Course, Superyacht Stewardess Course, Food Health & Safety Level 2, Power Boat Level 2, Personal Watercraft, VHF Radio, RYA Day Skippers, Superyacht Deckhand Course

Larashe loves being a Stewardess as it allows her to combine her love for the sea with her background in hospitality.
She adapts quickly to new situations and works well under pressure and enjoys problem solving. She is eager to continue developing her interior skills, become a well rounded crew member and build a long term career in yachting while contributing to a positive and happy onboard atmosphere.

She loves looking after guests and making each charter a unique experience tailored to their individual needs. She pays attention to the little details, from beautiful flower arrangements to thoughtful personal touches, and always tries to stay one step ahead, making sure guests feel special and well cared for throughout their time onboard.

In her personal life, she enjoys watersports, baking, exploring, fishing, swimming and photography.

Education/Certifications: RYA/MCA Yacht Master Coastal with Offshore theory (Commercially endorse), SSI level 4 Rescue Diver, Oxygen administration and First aid, RYA Diesiel engines, RYA Power boat level 2, RYA Personal watercraft, RYA Day skipper and Competent Crew, RYA SRC Radio and Radar, ENG 1 and SAMSA medical, STCW 2010 with PDSD

Aiden grew up in a small town surrounded by farms, alongside his older brother. He had a very active childhood, spending much of his time fishing, diving, spearfishing and riding motorcycles. He was also heavily involved in sports, winning numerous awards from a young age. He became a two-time South African Kickboxing Champion, represented Western Province in Biathle and was recognized as Best Cricketer and Best Hockey Player at school. He also won an award for story writing.

Before yachting, he worked as a bartender in his hometown and for his father’s health and safety company. He started his career in the yachting industry in 2024. Having always known that he didn’t want to work in an office and with his love for the ocean, yachting felt like the perfect fit. In the future, he would like to work towards becoming a Mate/Officer, although he will see how things progress as he builds up his sea time and experience.
Aiden worked for a deep-sea charter company in South Africa, St. Francis Safaris, before moving on to charter yachts such as M/Y INCEPTION, M/Y INDULGENCE, and currently on board M/Y NO SHORTCUTS.

He has cruised throughout St. Maarten, Connecticut, St. Barths, St. Kitts and Nevis, Anguilla, the Bahamas, New York and Nantucket. His favorite charter destination is the Caribbean, for its people and beautiful scenery. And his favorite place in the world is Aspen, Colorado, for its breathtaking scenery and natural beauty.

As a deckhand he wants the charter guests to have the absolute best time they have ever had! He hopes that years down the line, they will look back on their time aboard M/Y NO SHORTCUTS, smile, and wonder how the crew is doing.

In his personal life, he loves golf, diving and fishing. Looking ahead, he hopes to open a plumbing business with his brother and build a loving family with a wife and a few beautiful children.

Aiden’s life motto is: “The only thing promised in life is death so go and have fun in life.”