CAPTAIN: Aaron Abramowitz (USA)
USCG Master Oceans/Sail, Power, Steam 1600/3000GRT Commercial Unrestricted
MCA Class Four Unrestricted, Yachts <3000GRT
Joined Perseus January 2009
Born in Connecticut, as a young boy Aaron learnt to sail on the waters of Long Island NY. At the age of 21 he obtained his first commercial Captains licence and is now dual certified, holding both American Coast Guard and MCA qualifications. After skippering everything from tall ships to towing boats, Aaron headed back to the east coast of the US to sail with the classic J boat, Shamrock V as Engineer and enjoyed his first official yacht position. Aaron is very passionate about not only sailing but the sea itself. With a vast background in traditional rigged vessels Aaron enjoys teaching others the same skills that were passed on to him as a young sailor. Aaron also loves surfing, enjoys hiking, mountaineering and time with his family.
CHIEF ENGINEER Philip Curtis (USA)
US Coastguard Chief Engineer, Diesel/Gas Turbine
Joined Perseus October 2009
Phil Curtis is the Chief Engineer on the Sail Yacht Perseus. He is originally from Brooklyn,
New York and has been working on & off the ocean since the age of 17. His home base is
in Northeast Florida on the St. Johns River. Phil started his engineering career with BMW
Motorcycles and quickly moved to commercial shipping with the U.S. Merchant Marines.
He has worked on fuel tankers, container ships, and military support vessels ranging from
700 to 1000 feet (225 to 350 meters) ending with a successful five year career with Maersk
Lines Ltd. Willing to trade income for an increased quality of life, Phil switched over to the
Recreational yachting industry in 2006. With over 15 years in marine engineering, Phil is an
experienced engineer, and enjoys travelling, sailing, motorcycling, snowboarding, backpacking,
Scuba diving and jet skiing. Phil has a fierce sense of exploration and adventure and thrives on
experiencing different cultures, people, and lands. As well as the USA, Phil has lived in Hong Kong and India. Phil is happy to be serving on the sail yacht Perseus and has the goal to do the best he can do and strive for quality. He is always available for any request you may have, no matter how large or small.
FIRST OFFICER Chris Lang (UK)
MCA 3000gt Officer of the watch
Joined Perseus November 2009
Brought up on the sea as a fisherman’s son, Chris has always been interested in water related subjects from being a surfer to life guard to skippering small boats. Studying at college boat design and boat building he also became qualified as an instructor in dinghy sailing and canoeing.
Travelling came with sailing and the passion for the sea and new places keeps Chris interested in a career as First Mate. Chris has been in the industry for the last 10 years and is working toward attaining a class four ticket.
CHIEF STEWARDESS Patricia Moore (New Zealand)
BA in Sport & Leisure Studies, PADI Advanced Diver,
Joined Perseus December 2007
Raised in the North of New Zealand, Trish developed a passion for the outdoors and the sea from an early age. In 2003, after completing her studies, she left to travel overseas and has been indulging her travel bug ever since. Working in the USA as a Summer Camp Counsellor and for three years in England in the Hotel and Corporate world, she has travelled throughout America, Europe, North, East and South Africa over the last six years. An interest in working on cruise ships and a chance meeting with a Captain on a super yacht, helped to make the decision to work on super yachts as a stewardess. She has been enjoying this for the past three years, cruising the east coast of America and Canada, Central America, the Mediterranean and the Caribbean. Trish is a hospitable and proficient stewardess who looks forward to welcoming all guests aboard Perseus and creating an experience to remember for all.
CHEF Joe Costa (England/Spain)
City & Guilds 706-1/2/3 Professional Chefs Diploma, PADI Rescue Diver
Joined Perseus Feb 2007
Joe has been a professional chef for 20 years, 3 of which have been with Perseus. Joe was classically trained at Westminster College, London, passing with Distinction in the top 5% of his year. He qualified to further his training at the Savoy School of Catering based at Claridges in Belgravia. His first placement at the highly acclaimed 5 star Rock Hotel in Gibraltar introduced him to fine dining at its best. After 1 year Joe returned to London appointed as Saucier to open Le Pont de La Tour, Tower Hill for Sir Terrence Conran. He continued to work for the Conran group in the ‘Openings team’ for several years with placements at The Blue Bird, Fulham Bibendum South Kensington, Quaglinos St. James & Mezzo Soho finishing as successful & respected Sous chef.
He then formed a partnership with a friend and on a whim opened The Point restaurant in Albert Park, Melbourne, Australia. A modern-eclectic bistro offering a fusion of dishes from around the world. The Point was and still is a great success. 3 years later he then returned to London to open his own Spanish Tapas restaurant Café Jose in Epping, East London and expanded to a second within North London’s prestigious Muswell Hill Golf Club. Wanting to mix his passion for sailing with his love for cooking he headed to the Caribbean and set sail with Perseus.
2nd OFFICER Daryn Dalton (South African)
RYA Yacht Master Ocean
Joined Perseus January 2010
Daryn was born in the small coastal town of Knysna where his affair with the ocean began, his passion for offshore boating and the sea was instilled in him by his father and nurtured by his environment. After matriculating, Daryn and his father then spent two years building a yacht in which they could sail around the world. After obtaining his yacht master, skippering many passages along the southern coast of Africa, a transatlantic in 2004 lead him into the super yacht industry. He has been in the industry for six years and is enthusiastic about his time aboard Perseus. Darin also keeps himself busy with art, reading, photography and water-sports.
2nd Engineer Johan Jonck (South African)
RYA Yacht master Offshore/AEC/PADI Open water
Joined Perseus November 2009
Johan was born in Pretoria South Africa. After growing up on a cattle farm he went on a 2 year working holiday to the UK. After that he returned to South Africa to do his Yacht master course and pursue a career in Yachting. Johan worked on sail and motor yachts as deckhand for 2 years. He then did an AEC and a one year practical workshop course in engineering and returned to yachting pursuing a career as engineer. Johan is currently working towards obtaining an Y4 engineering qualification.
STEWARDESS Suzie Collins (UK)
Joined Perseus January 2010
Susan was born in Southport, England. After growing up on the family’s yacht she decided to begin a career in yachting. After graduating from college with a HNC in Horse Management at the age of 18, she began working as a stewardess, staying in the industry for 3 years. Deciding to take a break from the yachting world she gained a position in the UK as a nanny and so moved back for 6 years. During that time she worked both with horses and children before making the decision to come back to the USA to pursue a career in yachting again. The last year has seen her as a stewardess on both Motor Yachts and Sail Yachts but her real passion lies in sailing.
STEWARDESS Tauri-Lee Manthorpe (Australian)
PADI open water
Joined Perseus January 2010
Tauri was born in Port Lincoln, South Australia on a small farm close to the sea. With both parents boasting a profession in the fishing charter industry it was inevitable that she pursue a career working at sea. In Australia she worked on small charter yachts in the Whitsunday Islands and an expedition boat which lead guest’s cage diving with Great White Sharks in the Neptune Islands. In February 2009 she left home and began her career as a stewardess on a motor yacht in the South of France. Tauri’s first large sailing yacht in the industry, she looks forward to her time aboard a Perini cruising her home turf.