TE MANU

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TE MANU Crew Profile

David Johnson, American – Captain
Captain Dave Johnson was born in the United States but was brought up and educated in the North West of England. He completed his academic studies in 1989 when he graduated from Liverpool University with a degree in Mechanical & Production Engineering.
He began his professional yachting Career in 1990 and joined the Motor Yacht Stefaren, a 54 meter Brooke Yacht built in Southampton, England.
Dave served on deck for 2 years before obtaining the necessary qualifications to take over as the yachts First Officer, a position he held for over seven years whilst working for two different owners and serving under several different captains.
He joined M/Y Te Manu (ex M/Y Andale) as the first officer in April 1999 and during this time he completed four Atlantic crossings and numerous coastal voyages throughout the Mediterranean as Captain.
Captain Dave has served as Master aboard MY Te Manu from November 2001 to the present date, during which time the vessel has cruised the following geographical regions: Atlantic - Pacific Ocean, Mediterranean & Caribbean Sea. At the conclusion of the Mediterranean 2004 charter season ,MY Te Manu received the prestigious award of “Most Successful Charter Yacht OF The Year 2004” from the Cavendish White - M.Y.B.A charter agency & furthermore, Captain Johnson was presented with the
“All Services Yacht Agency” award for “Captain Of The Year 2004”.

Henry Wedenberg, Swedish – First Officer
Henry joined the Swedish Armed Forces in 1995 as an A.P.C. Driver while undergoing peacekeeping missions in Bosnia-Herzegovina. In 1996-1998 he was employed by ASG Logistics in Sweden as a long haul truck driver, and of which, He was in charge of maintenance. 1998-1999 He was day working in French/Dutch West Indies until March -99 when He was asked to join Andale as deckhand. In September 2001 He resigned from his job to pursue his career further, He attended the IYT training facility in Palma, Spain and completed the training necessary for him to be compliant with the STCW –95 Convention. Under the vessels new ownership Henry was then offered the First Officer position aboard Te Manu “Ex Andale” and his employment resumed on 8th December 2001.

Bert Kutzer, Austrian – Second Engineer
Bert has been in the yachting industry for the last six years and joined Te Manu in the Mediterranean in beginning October 2004.
Prior to that, Bert built and sailed his 41foot yacht around Africa and the Caribbean covering approximately 50.000 N.M. Prior to this he was a partner in a very successful Treasure Diving Syndicate recovering a number of Dutch and East Indiaman , in South Africa , Mozambique, Cape Verde Islands and Mauritius. During this time he recovered many thousands of “pieces of eight” and silver bars.

Phil Baker, New Zealand – Second Officer
Phil is born and raised in Christchurch New Zealand where he qualified as a cabinetmaker and gained vast experience in antique restoration. He has worked on yachts for over 15 years and gained his 3000ton Masters license in 2002. As a world traveled yachtsman, Phil likes to explore different cultures and enjoys hiking. Phil has been a valuable crew member aboard M/Y Te Manu since 2002, where he joined in Tahiti and cruised the Pacific, Caribbean and the Mediterranean.

Suignette Van Den Berg, South African – Chief Stewardess
After leaving school, Suignette completed a one year Secretarial Training Course at Rustenburg College before joining the South African police force in 1993. It was then that Suignette specialized in crime scene investigation and served as a detective in Cape Town for over four years.
In 1997 Suignette traveled to the United States to begin a new career in the Yachting industry. During the next four years, Suignette worked as a stewardess on a variety of both sailing and power yachts and traveled extensively throughout the Caribbean and eastern coast of the United States.

Joanne Dew, South African – Chef
Joanne attended and completed a four-year Diploma in Professional Cookery and Food Management at the Cape Town Technical Hotel School, including a three-year Diploma in Cordon Bleu cooking. The in-house training during this period involved all aspects of kitchen management at the hotel restaurant. During her time at the restaurant it was voted one of the top 10 restaurants in South Africa. She completed her course with top mark in the class as well as a Distinction. Since 1995 she have been traveling and working internationally. Joanne enjoys cooking with robust Mediterranean flavors and also enjoys cooking with a strong Asian influence. For the past 3 years Joanne has been Manager and Head Chef for an exclusive country house in South Africa. She joined the Andale in April 2001 & now under the new ownership she remains the much loved Chef As well as Crewmember.

Michelle Kutzer, South African – Stewardess
After completing School, Michelle started her Hairdressing Apprenticeship in Cape Town South Africa. After obtaining her Diploma she remained with the same company and later managed three Salons until 1989.
Soon after, her sailing career started. Michelle and her husband took to the High Seas with there sail boat. She cruised extensively in the Caribbean, Venezuela, Cuba and the United States, also circumnavigating Africa, completing approximately 50.000 N.M.
In 1998 after completing her Silver service courses in the United States. Michelle then began working on Super Yachts both Sail & Motor and joined Te Manu in July 2004.

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