CAPTAIN: Watson da Silva
Profile to follow

CHIEF OFFICER: JUSTIN JOHANNES HOLVIK (Norwegian/British, Age 31)
Justin comes from a English mother and a Norwegian father. The Norwegian family is heavily involved with all aspects of the sea bounty. He worked 3 years on the families ocean going long line fishing vessel in the North Atlantic, North Sea and Barents Sea in all weather conditions. His first job at sea was at 19 when he sailed to Central America and back on a converted dutch schooner for a year. Then it was off to Norway for fishing and two years at maritime school. After the schooling was finished the Norwegians called him up for service in the Navy for a year. His first job on luxury yachts was on M/Y Senses, a chartered vessel. After Senses he moved onto the classic 3 masted schooner S/Y Shenandoah of Sark. Since then he has worked on M/Y Halcyon Days, another busy charter boat and has now very proudly joined M/Y Paraffin. His strengths are having a cast iron stomach, ropework, practical seamanship and love of a life on the Seven Seas. He also loves the snow and goes skiing and snowboarding when possible.

SECOND OFFICER – DAVID SHARP (Australian, Age 33)
Born in Brisbane, on the east coast of Australia, it is quite natural that David’s passions for the sea made him want to discover new shores. After winning a variety of awards for his service skills in Australia he decided to embark on a long journey and joined M/Y Rasselas, a 170ft Feadship. He stayed aboard this vessel for 2 years before joining the Paraffin team in February 2004. David takes great pride in keeping Paraffin to a very fine standard and his competence makes him a great asset to our crew. He is actively upgrading his professional licences and looks forward to his own command one day in the future.

BOATSWAIN – RICHARD CROCKFORD (Welsh, Age 29)
Richard hails from the fishing town of Tenby, Wales. He has been a volunteer member of the Royal National Lifeboat crew for several years when he has been shore-based, ably assisted by his Yachtmaster Offshore certification and other maritime qualifications. He has also worked as a Passenger Boat Captain back in Wales, giving harbour tours. He has travelled extensively throughout Asia and the South Pacific onboard another 50+m motor yacht and comes to us as a Boatswain after three years service with his last vessel, a 43 metre yacht that was actually the last M/Y Paraffin up to 2001.

DECKHAND – JENNIFER LAURIE (Canadian, Age 26)
Jennifer joined the Paraffin team in February 2005, hailing originally from Guelph, Ontario. She graduated from university with a BA Honours degree in Criminal Justice and Public Policy, at the same she was working for the Liquor Control Board of Ontario. She loves to travel, working with people and embracing new experiences.

DECKHAND – LEIGH MOYES (Scottish, Age 30)
Leigh was the Head Instructor at the Scottish National Water-ski Centre, so you need any help with wakeboards or water skis then he’s your man. His experience at an adventure centre and his formal qualification in Leisure and Recreational Management make him a well-rounded and personable individual out on deck. He has been onboard Paraffin since 2005.

CHIEF ENGINEER – AIDEN ENGINEER (British, Age 26)
Aiden spent six years in the Royal Fleet Auxiliary gaining valuable experience to add to his honours degree in Engineering. He was awarded the Officer Cadet of the Year in 2001 and has excelled ever since. Aiden’s tireless energy and huge knowledge base is a great asset to the engineering department and also to M. Y. Paraffin.

Service Team

EXECUTIVE CHEF – BRENT MENKE (American, Age 36)
Chef Brent has been cooking on some of the finest yachts in the world for the last 12 years cruising much of the world. His professional training has been anything but classic in nature. His cuisine has driven him to study his craft in some very unlikely places such as Thailand, Vietnam, Mexico, France and of course his home country America. Brent uses his worldly knowledge to create both classical and contemporary dishes designed for each guest’s individual needs and desires. Brent became part of the original Paraffin (a 140 ft. Palmer Johnson) organisation back in 1996 after he finished his Bachelor of Science at the University of Arizona. He currently spends his time off of Paraffin in his home in Scottsdale, AZ USA and a family farm in the southeast of France with his French wife and two children, Melia and Jayden.

SECOND CHEF – LAURA EDWARDS (Canadian, Age 27)
Laura is from the city of Toronto, Ontario. After graduating from the University of Toronto with a degree in Mathematics, Laura decided to travel the world and join Paraffin in the South of France towards the end of 2002.
Her qualities are demonstrated every day on our tables, preparing for our guests and crew alike, healthy and succulent dishes! Laura’s pleasant personality and 24 hour a day smile make her a great person to have onboard and part of our team.

CHIEF STEWARD – PASCAL JOUBIN (French, Age 45)
With his extensive restaurant and hotel management experience, Pascal is a new but very welcomed addition to the Paraffin crew. He brings with him an extensive knowledge of wines as well as an appreciation of fine dining, culture and music. He is a hospitality industry professional who prides himself on tirelessly delivering the highest possible service standards. His experience on the sea began with luxury cruise ships, his goal now however is to manage a first class yacht team. His active and lively personality as well as a love of outdoor sports including scuba diving and skiing will be as much a great benefit to the guests as fresh burst of energy for the crew.

SECOND STEWARDESS –THEONE PENN (Canadian, Age 26)
Theone is from British Columbia. She grew up around the family classic, wooden sailing yacht in Vancouver and she’s been breathing the salty sea air ever since. After graduating from the University of Victoria with a BA in Anthropology, she set sail on a 164 ft. Italian motor yacht followed by a 158 ft. Feadship for almost two years. Theone joined us in the Fall of 2005 in Norfolk, Virginia and her positive energy is a great trait to have onboard.