CREW PROFILE

Andrew Gallagher (Captain)
Andrew hails from the small town of Jeffrey’s Bay, South Africa. On completion of school he worked through Aus, New Zealand and the Indonesian Islands, sailing, surfing and diving. On return to South Africa Andrew sailed the East Coast of Africa and endured the rigors of life at sea onboard fishing vessels off the East Coast of South Africa.  On Completion of his Yacht masters, he worked for the Royal National Lifeboat Institution in the UK before moving to the Caribbean training students in sailing & diving.  Having studied to complete the MCA’s 3000grt masters Andrew has been onboard Inspiration for over a year now, having joined as Mate, traveled many miles onboard and is looking forward to an enjoyable Caribbean season.  Andrew is the proud father of Ruby and husband of Hazel Gallagher.

Sergey Bendin (Engineer)
Serg’s childhood was spent in the heart of Russia far from any ocean.  His dream of becoming a seafarer came true when joining the Maritime Academy in St Petersburg.  Since completing his studies in 1986 he has been at sea as an engineer, starting out onboard merchant ships.  In the past few years he has been seduced into the white yacht industry where his lively, multilingual personality and hands on attitude has messed well with Inspirations travels, crew and guests.

Marco Seitz (Mate)
South African Marco has been sailing Hobie-cats and Tornados at a national level since school. He enjoys all forms of water sports, African wildlife and outdoor adventures.  He has onboard inspiration for over two years, traveling across the Atlantic and in both the Med & Caribbean. Prior to life aboard Inspiration Marco has many memorable sailing adventures including Salvador Brazil to St Maarten in a 37ft racing sloop.  An active wake-boarder and with a passion for the sea keeps Marco enjoying the yachting industry and always improving. He is safety conscious and a people’s person always enjoying life.

Monique Spieker (Stew)
Hailing from South Africa Monique spent her first half in Johannesburg and the other in Durban. Completing her schooling in 2005 she had to decide whether to attend culinary school or join the world of yachting.  Deciding yachting would be a great adventure she joined the yachting industry.  Monique loves diving, horse riding and has an adventurous nature which leads her to try new things daily.  She particularly enjoys cooking and looks forward to owning her own restaurant.  She has recently completed her medical persons in charge studies and is Inspirations medical go to person.

Nikki Pickard (Stew)
Raised in Cape Town finished high school and traveled to Aspen, Colorado to work in the ski industry, where she also spent time as a nanny.  Now finished with the cold and slopes she has moved onto liquid water and joined Inspiration.  Nikki enjoys mountain biking, hiking and swimming.