Solemates

Name: Marco Fidalco
Nationality: Portuguese and Swazi
Position: Bosun
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: Born in Swaziland and raised in South Africa, Marco discovered his love for the outdoors and adventure at a young age. His active lifestyle is grounded in fitness, hiking, running, football, and padel, keeping him energized and focused on board. A passion for travel and the ocean naturally led him to the yachting industry, where he enjoys combining his enthusiasm and skills to deliver outstanding guest experiences.

He is a certified Jet Ski Instructor, offering safe and engaging instruction to guests, and has recently taken up diving to further connect with the underwater world and expand guest activities on board. With a positive attitude, strong work ethic, and attention to detail, Marco brings professionalism and warmth to his role.

His goal is to create an unforgettable experience for every guest, ensuring each day is both seamless and adventurous, with a genuine focus on fun, safety, and exceptional service.

Name: Christy Gold
Nationality: British
Position: Stewardess
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: Christy grew up in Plymouth, known as Britain’s Ocean City, where she developed a love for the ocean from a young age. By the age of 10, she was an internationally competitive swimmer. Her passion for fitness and maintaining a healthy lifestyle led her to complete a sports science diploma, eventually becoming a qualified swimming teacher and fitness instructor. After the pandemic, Christy left her role as a manager and award-winning barista at a coffee shop to join the NHS, completing a year of Adult Nursing at the University of Plymouth and working as a Health Care Assistant in Maternity and Gynecology emergency operating theatres.

With a love for travel, the ocean, and adventure, yachting became the perfect next step. Christy enjoys hiking, swimming, yoga, going to the gym, cooking, and exploring the world with her friends and family. These activities keep her connected to her passions and active lifestyle.

Name: Charlotte Scragg
Nationality: New Zealand
Position: Stewardess
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: Charlotte is an enthusiastic and motivated newcomer to the yachting industry, eager to combine a love for the ocean with a passion for travel. After beginning a Bachelor of Commerce degree, Charlotte realised a desire for a more hands-on and adventurous career that would allow for exploration of the world while making a positive impact on others’ experiences. Naturally outgoing and friendly, Charlotte enjoys bringing people together through engaging conversation, shared activities, and creating a warm, welcoming atmosphere for guests and crew alike.

With a strong interest in health and fitness, Charlotte maintains an active lifestyle that fuels energy, motivation, and a can-do attitude on board. As a team player, Charlotte excels in collaborative settings, consistently demonstrating initiative while maintaining professionalism and focus on every task. Excited to learn and grow, Charlotte is ready to embrace the challenges and rewards of building a successful career at sea.

Name: Chris McGlynn
Nationality: South African/ British
Position: Deckhand
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: Born in South Africa, Chris has spent most of his life in and around the ocean. A former competitive swimmer, he proudly represented his country on international stages before transitioning from racing across the globe to exploring it by sea. His passion for travel and the water naturally led him to the yachting industry, where he has spent the past two years building a strong foundation as a deckhand. With over 5,000 nautical miles under his belt—including a recent Atlantic crossing—Chris brings experience, enthusiasm, and a safety-first mindset to the team. A certified lifeguard with over a decade of experience, he has personally performed multiple rescues and ensures guests feel safe and confident during watersports.

Chris thrives in team environments, embraces learning opportunities, and always brings a positive, high-energy presence. Friendly, helpful, and engaging, Chris is committed to creating unforgettable, fun-filled memories for every guest on board.

Name: Zach Sharland
Nationality: American
Position: Deckhand
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: Zach grew up in the Boston area with a strong connection to the water, from New Hampshire lakes to the shores of Cape Cod. After discovering yachting in the U.S. Virgin Islands, he pursued his training in Fort Lauderdale and quickly built a solid foundation in the industry.
With a background in team sports, Zach brings energy, teamwork, and a guest-focused approach to every charter. He takes pride in creating an engaging onboard atmosphere, ensuring guests feel relaxed, included, and fully immersed in the experience.

Name: Murray Ferguson
Nationality: South African
Position: Chief engineer
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: With over 20 years of experience in the yachting industry, Murray brings extensive engineering expertise and a calm, solutions-focused approach to every charter. Passionate about all aspects of marine engineering, he takes great pride in maintaining the yacht to the highest standards, ensuring every system operates safely, efficiently, and reliably.

Originally from South Africa, Murray speaks English, Afrikaans, and Portuguese, allowing him to communicate effectively with international crews and guests alike. His wealth of experience, meticulous attention to detail, and proactive approach behind the scenes provide owners and guests with complete confidence, ensuring every charter is seamless, safe, and enjoyable.

Name: Marcio Stuart
Nationality: Portuguese
Position: Deckhand
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: Marcio began his yachting career in 2018 after being given the opportunity to work aboard a yacht, quickly discovering a passion for life at sea. Since then, he has enjoyed working alongside crew from a variety of backgrounds and nationalities, valuing teamwork, respect, and a positive attitude onboard.

As a Deckhand, Marcio takes pride in being helpful, dependable, and attentive to the needs of both the crew and guests. He enjoys being outdoors and brings a friendly and approachable personality to the team, always aiming to help create a relaxed and enjoyable charter experience.

Outside of yachting, Marcio enjoys growing bonsai trees and spending time pursuing outdoor activities. His enthusiasm for the outdoors and commitment to being a supportive member of the crew make him a valuable addition to the Solemates team.

Name: Manuel Reyna
Nationality: Mexican
Position: Engineer
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: Manuel is a Mexican marine engineer with a commercial maritime background and experience in the yachting industry. With a hands-on approach to engineering, he takes pride in solving problems and ensuring the yacht’s systems operate safely, efficiently, and smoothly.

Friendly and easy-going, Manuel enjoys meeting new people and working as part of a team. He is always willing to lend a hand and support both guests and crew wherever needed. His practical experience, calm approach, and commitment to maintaining the yacht behind the scenes help create a safe, comfortable, and enjoyable experience for everyone onboard.

Name: Ben Steel
Nationality: British
Position: Chef
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: After seven years working in fine dining, beginning as a pot wash and progressing to Senior Chef de Partie at a two-Michelin-star restaurant, Ben decided to take on a completely new challenge by entering the yachting industry. This extensive restaurant experience provided a strong foundation in professional cooking, kitchen organization, and the high standards required to consistently deliver exceptional food.

Alongside working in restaurants and being involved in opening new establishments, Ben has a strong passion for travel and discovering different cuisines and cultures. Time spent traveling through India and Thailand provided an opportunity to learn about new culinary traditions and techniques. In his spare time, he also ran a successful Jamaican restaurant pop-up with a close friend, further developing his creativity and appreciation for diverse flavors.

As Sous Chef, Ben brings together the techniques and experience gained throughout his fine-dining career to create balanced, flavorful meals for both guests and crew. Working closely with the Head Chef, he enjoys helping develop and refine dishes while ensuring the galley operates efficiently and to a consistently high standard.

His diverse culinary background, international food experiences, and enthusiasm for exploring different cuisines allow him to bring a creative and well-rounded approach to the kitchen. He looks forward to using the knowledge and techniques developed throughout his career to contribute to memorable dining experiences for guests aboard Solemates.

Name: Paula Chiabai
Nationality: Italian
Position: Head Chef
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: Brazilian-Italian Paula brings 10 years of professional culinary experience and six years in the yachting industry, having worked across the Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bahamas, and U.S. East Coast. Her Italian heritage comes from her father’s side and has always had a natural influence on her relationship with food and cooking. Before becoming a chef, Paula spent 15 years working as a dentist before turning her passion for food, travel, and different cultures into a new career. Her culinary background includes restaurant experience and exposure to Michelin-star fine dining, which helped shape her attention to detail, organization, and approach to presentation.

Paula’s cooking is strongly influenced by contemporary Mediterranean cuisine, with Italian and international influences and a focus on fresh, seasonal ingredients. She particularly enjoys discovering local markets and producers wherever the yacht is cruising and incorporating those ingredients into her menus.

For Paula, a successful charter is about understanding how each guest genuinely enjoys eating. She loves creating personalized menus around individual preferences, dietary requirements, and the rhythm of each trip — from relaxed family-style lunches to refined multi-course dinners. Outside the galley, Paula’s passions include travel, wine, and gastronomy, staying active through running, discovering new cultures, and seeking out new restaurants and culinary experiences for inspiration — influences she continually brings back into her cooking.

Name: Lara-Leigh Wilkinson
Nationality: South African
Position: Stewardess
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: Hailing from a quaint coastal town in South Africa, Lara-Leigh has a deep love for the ocean and the outdoors. With a strong background in hospitality, Lara-Leigh developed a passion for cocktail crafting and guest service. After transitioning from project management, where she refined organizational, leadership, and time management skills, Lara-Leigh ventured into yachting in 2022 to pursue a dream of global exploration. Known for an infectious positivity and warm, outgoing nature, Lara-Leigh brings immense value to any team, curating unforgettable experiences for guests. During downtime, Lara-Leigh enjoys expanding horizons through exploration, painting, and reading, finding fulfillment in both artistic and intellectual pursuits.

Name: Robert Frost
Nationality: South African
Position: Captain
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: Rob, your laid-back yet experienced captain, has been navigating the Mediterranean’s busiest charter yachts since 2007, rising from Deckhand to Captain in just three years. Calm and collected, with a touch of humor, he keeps the crew in high spirits.

Growing up in a coastal South African town, Rob’s love for the sea started early, and he’s since sailed across the Indian Ocean and Australia’s East Coast, from races to family cruises. Now, he enjoys kiteboarding, quiet beach walks with his partner Samantha, and off-roading adventures. When not on the water, Rob crafts wooden furniture or watches rugby (Springboks or Sharks). With a deep connection to the sea, he’s passionate about creating unforgettable voyages.

Name: Samantha Graupner
Nationality: South African
Position: Chief steward/ess
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: Born in Johannesburg, South Africa, Samantha always longed for the ocean’s salty air and sandy shores. The vastness of the sea connects her to something greater, much like the hospitality industry, which ignites Samantha’s passion for teamwork and personalized guest experiences. After studying Psychology for six years, she worked in medical institutions, schools, and NGOs.

In 2016, seeking personal growth, Samantha leaped into yachting, discovering a true calling in creating global adventures. This led to managing a beachfront property business in South Africa, curating unique guest experiences. A lifelong equestrian, Samantha has competed internationally and engaged in equine therapy. Together with her partner, Captain Rob, they embrace life’s joys, whether cooking or adventuring in their Suzuki Jimnys. Samantha treasures simple moments with loved ones and strives to bring that same peace and tranquility to every guest experience.

Name: Charles Baird
Nationality: British
Position: First Officer
Position details:
Languages: Not specified
Description: Charles discovered his love for the water early on while working at a local watersports center. With over nine years in the yachting industry and extensive charter experience, he’s renowned for crafting action-packed, personalized experiences. His adaptability ensures every charter is tailored to meet the unique preferences of each guest.

A passionate sportsman, Charles has led football teams to victory in the Midlands and competed in boxing and tennis, showcasing his strong teamwork and competitive drive. Proudly Scottish and a devoted Celtic FC supporter, his competitive spirit, dedication, and creativity shine through in every charter.

Drawing on his diverse experiences, Charles ensures M/Y Solemates is the yacht of choice, offering an unforgettable adventure. With him leading the deck team this summer, guests can look forward to an exciting journey. Friendly and approachable, Charles has built a successful yachting career and is on the verge of completing his Captain’s qualifications.

Name: Charlotte Goldman
Nationality: Australian
Position: Stewardess
Position details: Stewardess/Nurse
Languages: Not specified
Description: At 23 years old, she brings a refreshing blend of professionalism, warmth, and enthusiasm to the yachting industry. Raised as an expatriate in Hong Kong, she developed an appreciation for diverse cultures, global travel, and teamwork from an early age. Returning to Australia to complete her nursing degree strengthened her compassion, attention to detail, and ability to stay calm under pressure—qualities that seamlessly complement her role onboard.

A natural people person, she thrives in collaborative environments and is accustomed to shared living and team dynamics through both her sporting and professional experiences. Her nursing background enhances her ability to care for guests and crew alike with genuine empathy and precision. Combining her passion for hospitality, wellness, and adventure, she approaches every charter with positivity, professionalism, and a commitment to creating memorable, comfortable, and safe experiences for all guests at sea.