CREW PROFILE

Captain Paran Hopkins, 27, dual US/British citizenship         

Paran has accomplished an impressive range of duties and responsibilities on power and sailing yachts up to 140 feet in length since 2003  - deckhand, first mate/interim captain, delivery skipper, shore (racing) program director and full time captain.   He gained solid experience in providing first class service to guests during trip through the Exuma Islands on a 94’ motor yacht owned by a former commodore of the New York Yacht Club.      

Captain Hopkins has strong ties to Newport, Rhode Island where he taught in the 2004 children’s sailing program at Sail Newport and was assistant dockmaster for 41 North Marina in 2006.  Over several summers in Newport, he crewed on Schooner Adirondack, the 12 meters Enterprise, Intrepid, Weatherly and Nefertiti, and the stunning 140’ ketch Rebecca.  

With thousands of nautical miles in his log book, Paran has sailed extensively in New England, Florida, the Bahamas and the Caribbean.  He holds a Master of Yachts 200 ton Offshore License, is STCW ’95 certified and has a degree in Economics from King’s College in London.

Chef Holly Michaud, 27, American

From their very first meal onboard Aria, charterers will recognize the ‘wow factor’ touted on television cooking shows in Holly’s delicious and beautifully presented cuisine.  Heading west in 2000 with a degree in Adventure Recreation, Holly began her culinary career at Grant Village in Yellowstone National Park as a Breakfast Chef.  Within a month she was promoted to Evening Chef for a dining room of over 100 seats.  She especially enjoyed creating nightly specials and new additions to the menu. 

Holly and Paran have been a team on power and sailing yachts for private owners and as charter crew since 2004.  They first worked together on a 115 foot Hargrave motor yacht, where Holly fulfilled the duties of both stewardess and deckhand and still found time to master the infamous A and O Expresso Martini.   Eight months and one boat later, Holly took her first chef position on a busy charter yacht.  Summer 2007 found her cooking lunch and dinner on the 105 foot Whitehawk, on day charters serving over 450 guests during the season as well as at the owner’s home in Newport.

Solid experience, professional training and enthusiasm  - Paran and Holly have all the qualifications to ensure your sailing vacation will be delightful.      

Stewardess

ARIA employs a free-lance stewardess for charters.