Captain Peter Grocock has always had a passion for the ocean, he started his yachting career in the Australian marine industry as a mate on the trawling yacht "Inscription" in the northwest of Australia operating in the Indian ocean, training fisherman in deep sea trawling and later as a mate on the sportfishing boat "Tsunami" operating in the Great Australian Bight in South Australia. In his younger years growing up on the Murray river he was a water skiing and jet ski instructor for Murray Water Sports and also was an active member of the Royal Australian Surf Life Savers with whom he holds the Bronze Medallion since the age of ten. He lives to surf and does so whenever the chance arises and has a passion for writing music and playing the guitar. He is a fun loving person with much energy and enthusiasm to share.
As Captain, Pete feels extremely fortunate to be in the Caribbean operating such a beautiful vessel, working with professional people and having the opportunity to make the moments unforgettable for anyone who steps foot on M/Y KALEEN.
First Mate/Engineer Mark Manduca hails from Canada. Mark comes highly qualified both as engineer and mate. He is also a certified dive instructor and has worked in the yachting industry for the past 3 years. Mark will make sure Kaleen's guests have a wonderful time with all her many toys.
Chef Jim Ruch has been cooking in the yachting industry for over twelve years. Originally from Norwalk, Ct. Jim began professional cooking at the age of fifteen for an unruly German master chef. “Wolfgang could throw a sauté pan into the sink from twenty feet!”
He began his classic culinary training in New York in 1986 with a degree from the New York Restaurant school. After seven years of work in N.Y Jim moved to Boston for more high end cooking at some the city’s top eateries. This included Season’s Restaurant, Ambrosia on Huntington and Rebecca’s Restaurant. His yachting career has brought him to the Mediterranean for five seasons and many trips through the Caribbean, Bahamas, Mexico and and the U.S. West coast. He has since earned degrees from Le Cordon Bleu in London, The Royal Thai Culinary institute in Bangkok and has taken numerous trips to Italy studying Tuscan and Ligurian cuisines. Living in Florida on his wooden yacht ‘Pajova’, Jim spends his free time biking the beach, playing guitar and producing cooking videos.
Chief Stewardess Andrea Zawislak is from Seattle, Washington. She has a passion for nature and the outdoors and photography and spent a lot of her youth hiking the trails of Mount Rainer and trekking the coastlines of her home in search of the perfect picture. Prior to yachting Andrea was a waitress for one of Seattle's finest water front restaurants and also a nanny for five years with one of Seattle’s elite child care agencies, with her constant smiles and fondness for children it makes her one of Kaleen's assets with group or family charters.
Stewardess Amanda Bonfiglio grew up in Cleveland, Ohio. After obtaining her Bachelors degree in Marketing her passion for travel lead her into the yachting industry. Amanda recently completed her Master Crew and Silver Service courses in Fort Lauderdale, Florida where she currently resides. She enjoys playing volleyball, being outdoors and reading a great book. Her love for the ocean, appreciation for gaining new experiences and meeting new people makes her a great fit to work aboard Kaleen.