UNBRIDLED

AMENITIES

DECK & SYSTEMS

DIVING

UNBRIDLED Crew Profile

Captain - Richard Grissell
Australian. As a boy growing up in Australia, Richard spent all of his spare time on the water sailing. Later on he discovered surfing and kayaking. Richard comes from a Merchant Maine background, which started with a four year cadetship at the Australian Maritime College. He continued in the Merchant Marine for several years as a Deck Officer and by the age of 26, having sailed all over the world carrying cargo and working on cruise liners, he completed his Unlimited Captains licence - Master Class One. During his down time Richard even managed to indulge a little in his favourite passion - sailing. He did so working on the square rigger Bounty - (built for the movie Mutiny on the bounty) carrying passengers on a round the world Sailing Training experience from London to Rio de Janerio, Cape Town and finishing in Sydney Australia. By chance Richard entered the world of Professional yachts and has never looked back. Currently in his 16th year of yachting, fourteen of which have been spend as a Captain specialishing in large yachts in either remote location cruising of familiar Charter seasons. Employed by the Owner of UNBRIDLED during the build, Richard spend sixteen months in the shipyard with her and looks forward to the many sea-miles yet to come.

Captain - Elmar Blaauw
South African. Elmar was born and raised in a small town in Namibia, however, shortly after finishing school, Elmar relocated to South Africa to study a Bachelor's Degree in Computer Technology at University. It was during this time Elmar began scuba diving and developed a keen interest in the ocean. Not long after completing his studies, Elmar decided to trade technology for the high seas. Over the last eleven years Elmar has served on five motor yachts cruising areas such as the Mediterranean, Caribbean, South Pacific, Maldives, Thailand, Japan, Scandinavia, Iceland, Greenland, the USA and Central America. Throughtout his years at sea Elmar completed all maritime courses required for him to achieve his Master 300 GT Unlimited Captain's Licence in 2009. Elmar joined UNBRILDED during her build, spending the final twelve months in the shipyard overseeing the yacths comletion before heading out on her madien voyage. Elmar's prior experience on yachts as relief Captain as well as his extensive knowledge of world cruising areas ensures he knows where to find the best anchorages, incredible diving areas, unbelievable scenery and amazing adventures, all to ensure his guests are provided with the most enjoyable experiences possible. Elmar has the hands-on understanding of what it takes to safely manage a yacht, train the crew and provide a safe and relaxing environment for his guests. Elmar feels very much at home in the great outdoors and at sea, whether it is under the water or in the wheelhouse. He enjoys scuba diving in exotic locations, hiking through moutains in unknown countries, exloring forests in search of magnificent wildlife or simply relaxing on the beach.

First Officer - Benjamin Pollon
Canadian. From an early age Ben was a true world traveller. Born in Tanzania, he travelled throughout three continents before celebrating his first birthday in Vancouver, Canada. There he remained for several years before his parents bought a sailboat with plans to cruise the world. However, the beautiful and undeveloped islands fo the Turks and Caicos offered Ben's family an amazing life, and there they settled. Growing up in the islands Ben naturally spent all of his spare time on the ocean; suring, diving, fishing and sailing. His love of the ocean brought him into the marine industry where he has now worked for the past fifteen years. After running his own yacht management-repair business Ben's desire to be back on the water led him to join the yachting industry. Ben loves to learn and to date holds certifications for: Re-Breather diver, Hyperbaric Chamber Operator and all has a Private Pilots Licence. He is currently working towards his Master 500 GT Licence. Ben has been working on yachts for many years now and hopes to have a long career in the industry, and is looking forward to adventures onboard UNBRIDLED.

Bosun - Lukas Welmans
British. Luke was born in Kenya, grew up in Britain nad at thirteen he attended a secondary boarding school in Surrey in the South of England. Once Luke completed his Civil Engineering Degree at Newcastle University, he spent many years on the ocean as a windsurf and dingy instructor, before becoming a lead skipper for a sailing holiday company based in the Greek Islands. Because of Luke's experience of spending three months sailing 10,000 miles across the Indian Ocean on a 47ft sailing yacht it encouraged him to pursue a career in the yachting industry. Luke started his career working on yachts based in Dubai, and travelled extensively throughout the Arabian Gulf. Luke now has spent over eight years in the industry and has completed his Chief Mate 300 GT Licence. Luke has a passion for any water sports, motorcycles and reading. One day he sees himself settling in the Devon countryside living on a farm and raising a family.

Head Chef - Jason Meakin
Australian. During his early childhood Jason lived in almost every Australian state. His high school days were spent on the far North Coast of Western Australia, where he spent time with his family camping and fishing. Jason wanted to become a chef from a very early age - he loves everything about food! After high school Jason completed a four year intensive cooking apprenticeship where he gained a trade certificate in Professional Cooking, during which time he also competed in many cooking competitions where he won the 'Australian Apprentice Chef of the Year', and went on to represent Australia. Jason has been a chef now for thirteen years; and has worked in some of Australia's foremost modern restaurants, a Michelin star restaurant in Japan, a boutique hotel in France and a private villa in Portugal and for the past six years he has been a chef in the yachting industry. Jason thrives on the excitement that yachting offers a chef - cooking for guests from all nationalities. Jason is a very diverse chef - his baking, desserts and best of all, his custom 'UNBRIDLED' chocolates - are all out of this world! In his free time Jason enjoys kite boarding, fishing, long walks on the beach and growing bonsai trees. In the future Jason wants to concentrate on his family and 'property flipping'.

Sous Chef - Rosalba Folmer
A small town on the delta on the Parana River in Central Argentina is where Rosalba calls home. Her younger years were spent surrounded by nature on the family farm, and tending to her own little organic farm. Always interested in exact sicence, Rosalba studied two years in engineering at University in Buenos Aires before realizing she needed to fulfil her ture passion in life - food! Rosalba studied French Cusinie and Patisserie at culinary school in Buenos Aires and later went to work for French Chef Jean Paul Bondoux, at the 'MALBA'. Before starting in the yachting industry earlier this year, Rosalba spend twleve months travelling and working throughout New Zealand. Rosalba has an interest in outdoor sports and activities, particulary fishing. She enjoys yoga, meditation and researching and practicing ayurveda. Rosalba isn't sure where she will find hereself in the future, however, she has promised herself to return to Nepal to climb the eternal stone stairs of the Annapurna Mountains, and wold love to call one of the manay Northern New Zealand beaches home, where she can spend her days living her life like a postcard - picking up oysters and fishing all day. One thing is for sure, whatever Rosalba finds herself doing in the future - good food will be involved all the way!

Chief Engineer - Arthur Schippers
Dutch. Although Holland was Arthur's birth country, he now calls Malaysia home. Upon completing school Arthus studied Mechanical Engineering and Control Technics at Polytech. He studied further to complete all MCA Marine Engineering Courses, and holds his Y2 Engineering Ticket. Arthur began his engineering career as a desinger and project manager for Heesen and Feadship and only later did Arthur make the move to work on the yachts themselves as an Engineer. Arthur has an interst in motor cycles, and enjoys touring on his motorcycles with friends across Laos and Cambodia. He is also a keen diver and enjoys underwater photography. Arthur also spends time mountain biking and hiking. In the future Arthur wants to have the time to enjoy all his hobbies and spend quality time with his family.

Chief Engineer - Michael Hummel
German. As his father was a pilot in the Air France, Michael spent time as a child living abroad in countries such as Yeman and Namibia. When not travelling with his family, Michael enjoyed sailing in the Baltic and amateur motorbike racing. After completing school, Michael began training as a Chef in Germany where he soon learnt he'd rather eat food than cook it! So, he went onto train to become a mechanical engineer, and worked as a project engineer in machinery construction. Later, Michael discovered the yachting industry, and after some time in the industry Michael achieved his Master 200 GT Licence, and went onto work as a Captain on a 30m motor yacht. He then studied further to obtain his Chief Engineer 3000 GT Licence. Michael enjoys working in yachting as he feels it's an occupation where each day is different. During his rotation time off, Michael lives in Norway with his partner and two young children - Ladvik and Milla, and enjoys spending time on his land in Norway, filming wildlife, aviation, sailing and languages - Michael speaks fluent German, English, French and Norwegian, and is currently mastering Spanish. In the future Michael would like to develop ideas to help improve domestic heat efficiency.

Second Engineer - Jason Gray
Irish. Jason originates from the countryside, South of Dublin, Ireland. As a child he enjoyed his part time work in dairy farms, as well as mountain hikes with his father, later on serving for the Irish Reserve Defence Forces. Jason began his merchant engineering career in 2005 first at the National Maritime College of Ireland, followed by his engineering officer cadetship at Shell. He worked for Shell on large 205m tankers carrying gas and jet fuel. Jason enjoyed working with Shell, although he had adventure in his sights and therefore the yachting industry was the answer - to stay at sea and work whilst travelling and experience culture at the same time. Jason doesn't have enough time to enjoy all his intests, which include: snow and ice climbing in Scotland, tall ship racing through Europe, rock climbing, mountaineering, diving, moutain and road cycling, and his most recent passion - motorbikes. Jason's ultimate gold is to become a deep sea saturation diver on oil rigs and dive support vessels.

Cheif Stewardess - Jeszell Gooch
Australian. Jeszell spent her childhood travelling between Australia and New Zealand and attending five different primary schools. After school Jeszell went onto complete a Business Degree at University whilst also working in the hospotality industry. Before discovering the yachting industry Jeszell worked for a variety of establishments; ranging from fine dining restaurants, botique hotels, upmarket ski chalets and private villas. Seven years on, Jeszell has worked on several yachts throughout the Mediterranean, Caribbean, USA, Central America and South Pacific. Her favourite yachting moment was an evening spent star gazing on a Tuomotos Atoll in French Polynesia. Jeszell joined UNBRIDLED during the final six months of the build to oversea the installation and set up of the interior. During winter Jeszell enjoys skiing and snowboarding and also spends free time visiting historical estates, managing her property profile, and when she has a spare moment you will find her drinking tea and eating cupcakes. It is no surprise to the crew onboard UNBRIDLED that on Jeszell's first day of school her teacher described her as a 'perfectionist'! Upon returning to Australia Jeszell hopes to put her organisational and 'perfectionist' skills to good use and start a special events co-ordination business.

Second Stewardess - Kirsty Pollon
British. Kirsty grew up in the South West of England where she developed her love for the ocean. Every weekend revolved around the beach, spending time surfing, building sand castles or snorkelling. Kirsty graduated from University with a Business Degree and before moving to London to work as a buyer for a clothing chain Kirsty took a 'gap year'. Kirsty's love of the ocean drew her to the Bahamas, where she lived on the beach in a tent, obtained her Dive Master Certification and volunteered with 'Green Force' to study and survey the local marine life. Kirsty enjoyed island life, so she stayed on and accepted a position as Assistant Manager of a Boutique Resort. This is where Kirsty developed her love of the hospitality industry. A year on Kirsty discovered the yachting industry; and here she has worked for the past four years, travelling throughout the world. Kirsty spends her spare time doing what she enjoys most - diving, paddle boarding, hiking, camping and baking. Before turning thirty, Kirsty has set a goal to complete a marathon. And in the future, who knows if Kirsty will ever find herself back in London working as a buyer for a clothing chain, as she has set out to do.

Stewardess - Brooke-Ann Dawson
Bermudian. Brooke is proude to be a third generation born and bred Bermudian. She grew up on the small British territory island in the North Atlantic Ocean spending most days out in the family boat or at the beach swimming, snorkelling and soaking up the sun! After school Brooke left Bermuda to study Interior Design at University in Toronto, Canada. After completing her degree, Brooke started in the yachting industry, and was lucky enough to join her first yacth in Athens, Greece, and spent the next twelve months travelling through the Red Sea, past Somalia and Yemen, onto the Maldives, and stopping in Australia before travelling throughout the South Pacific! After finishing on motor yacht PLAN B, Brooke spent five months living along the East Coast of Australia. Brooke enjoys snorkelling and diving, being on the water, photography, biking and reading. After yachting Brooke would like to utilise her degree and yachting experience to start up an interior design company focusing on yacht interiors.

Stewardess - Elizabeth Berube
Canadian. Vancouver Island is home to Beth's large family, where she grew up as the youngest of five children. Surrounded by her old brother and sisters, Beth enjoyed her childhood being the 'baby' of the family, often getting spoilt by her older siblings. Beth spent most weekends at the local dancing studio participating in classes and festivals for ballet, jazz and modern dance. Surprising to most, Beth's first job at the age of fifteen was at a local fish farm on Quadra Island where she worked packing prawns and also on the 'slime line' where she gutted and cleaned fish! Beth later went to work in the hospitality industry, working as a barista and served at both restaurants and hotels. Beth joins UNBRIDLED as her first yacht. She is excited to learn the ways onboard, and is keen to see where the ocean takes her. When she has time Beth enjoys yoga and dancing and living an 'organic lifestyle'. Beth dreams only one day of living back on an island, somewhere in the world, teaching yoga and owning a health and wellness centre on a beach.

Deckhand - Jason Milliner
Australian. A 'typical childhood' is how Jason describes her younger years growing up on the central coast of Australia - spending most days surfing at the beach and playing lots of sports. Following school Jason studied Fitness at College and went onto work as a personal trainer. He later went back to study teaching at University. Whilst studying, Jason held a party time job for four years at a public hospital working as an Operation Room Assistant. He found this to be a very intersting job to say the least! The yachting industry proved too luring to Jason, so he decided to defer his teaching studies to join the industry. Jason was excited to recenlty have build up enough sea time to experience to allow him to complete his Yacht Masters Certification. Jason's next challenge is to master the French language. In his free time Jason enjoys participating in anyting active, fun, and fitness orientated. After yachting he definitely sees himself completing his teaching degree, teaching and continuing personal training of clients.

Deckhand - Andrew Clapham
British. Andy spent the first four years of his life living on games reserves in South Africa, after whihc time he moved to the United Kingdom with his family. Given Andy's interest in ocean and marine life it was only natural for him to continue his education with a Bachelor of Science degree majoring in Marine and Freshwater Biology, at the University of Hull. As a major part of his degree Andy spent time living in Indonesia and researching the untouched rainforest, unique wildlife and diving some diverse areas around Sulawesi Island. Prior to yachting, Andy enrolled in a UKSA crew training course, spending six weeks sailing around the South Coast of England, enabling him to achieve his Day Skipper Ticket, Andy's next goal is to complete his Yacht Master's. Andy like to participate in road cycling, football, sailing, scuba diving and all outdoor activities. Andy is currently planning his around the world cycling trip, and ultimately in the future he wants to sail around the world and race sailing yachts.

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