TESNI Yacht Charter

Captain: Kevin Gentles

Name: Kevin Gentles
Position: Captain
Nationality: Canadian / British
Languages: English

Description:
Kevin Gentles is an accomplished Captain/Engineer with extensive experience across luxury charter operations, vessel refits, and crew management. Based in the BVI, he holds an RYA Yachtmaster Offshore with Commercial Endorsement and has operated across the Caribbean, Mediterranean, Pacific, and Southeast Asia. Most recently, he has served as Captain/Engineer aboard the Lagoon 77 Mariah Princess III and Seaclusion Sunreef 80 in the BVI, where he received the vessel under new ownership and built a highly successful charter program, earning repeat bookings from guests and brokers alike.
Prior to this, Kevin captained and engineered a Sunreef Supreme 68 in the Mediterranean and managed a full refit of a Lagoon 630 Power Catamaran in Ft. Lauderdale, overseeing all major systems including the watermaker, generator, and electrical systems. He has also served as First Officer on the 68m M/Y Lady Christine and as First Mate on the 46m M/Y Q95 Mangusta in the Mediterranean, where he managed ECDIS passage planning and hosted high-profile Owner guests.
Earlier in his career, Kevin served as First Mate on S/Y Mystery 43M across Australia and the Pacific, leading a 16-month refit at The Yard Brisbane. He captained Moreton Bay Holidays Afloat in Brisbane, managing a fleet of catamarans and overseeing the full refitting of a marina. Additional experience includes passages from Cairns to the Solomon Islands aboard M/V Umbra 55M, Bosun work on M/Y Aquamarina 47M in Singapore and Brisbane, and roles as First Mate on M/Y Blue Sky 45M across Taiwan and Hong Kong.

• RYA Yachtmaster Offshore with Commercial Endorsement
• RYA Coastal Skipper & Day Skipper
• STCW — PDSD | PSCRB | HELM
• Efficient Deckhand
• Small Power Boat and Rib Master (IYT)
• PWC — Personal Watercraft Crew (IYT)
• Super Yacht Crew Course (IYT)
• VHF Radio Operators (IYT)
• ECDIS (TRANSAS) & ECDIS (FURUNO Specific)
• ENG 1 (Valid Until October 2026)
• SCUBA Diving — PADI Dive Master
• Sails and Rig Surveying Course
• Workplace Hazardous Materials
• National Bartenders School — Bartenders Certificate
• Personal Practices and Responsibilities Certificate
• Vanguard Cleaning Professional Maintenance Course
• Stratford Career Institute — Motorcycle/ATV Repair


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Name: Nicole Bowman
Position: Chef
Nationality: American
Languages: English

Description:

Nicole Bowman is an accomplished yacht Chef with over 6 years of experience in the maritime industry, working across motor and sailing yachts throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, and Mediterranean. She brings a Caribbean Fusion culinary perspective, confidently adapting menus to all dietary requirements and provisioning in remote locations. Her experience spans back-to-back 7-night charter programmes, vessel refits, broker events, and multi-role positions covering interior and deck duties alongside her culinary responsibilities. She has a proven ability to manage provisioning budgets, train crew, and maintain the highest standards of food preparation and service for groups of up to 15 guests.

Job Description
Nicole is responsible for all aspects of onboard culinary operations, including provisioning in remote locations, budget management, menu planning, and daily preparation of breakfast, lunch, canapés, three-course dinners, and special event meals for groups of up to 15 guests. She is confident managing all dietary requirements including gluten-free, vegan, vegetarian, and various allergies. Beyond the galley, she is experienced supporting interior and deck departments, and has served in 1st Mate and multi-role capacities when required.

Licences and Qualifications
USCG 100 Ton Master Near Coastal — Auxiliary Sail
STCW 95/10
ENG 1
PADI Rescue Diver
HABC Level 2
QCF Level 2 in Culinary Skills
Culinary Arts Certificate — Ashburton
Personal Thai Culinary Chef — Bangkok Thai Cooking Academy

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Name: Carmen Kotzee
Position: Stewardess
Position details: -
Nationality: South African
Languages: English, Afrikaans

Description:
Carmen Kotzee is a motivated Deck/Stew with a background in law, bringing exceptional attention to detail, organisational skills, and professionalism to the yachting industry. Based in Fort Lauderdale, she has completed a full season across both interior and deck roles on motor yachts ranging from 68 to 124 feet. Her experience covers luxury charter guest service, cabin preparation, cocktail and bar management, provisioning coordination, laundry, formal table settings, and full interior upkeep to superyacht standards. She has also assisted on deck with line handling, docking, and washdowns, and has taken on galley responsibilities including crew meal preparation and provisioning management during shipyard periods.

Job Description
Carmen manages all aspects of interior service, including guest-facing hospitality, cabin preparation, turndown service, formal and casual table settings, cocktail service, laundry, and provisioning coordination. She maintains interior spaces to superyacht standards and is equally comfortable assisting on deck with line handling and washdowns when required. She brings discretion, warmth, and a strong work ethic to every role she takes on.

Licences and Qualifications
STCW95 Basic Training — Exp. Dec 2029
SAMSA Seafarers Medical — Exp. Dec 2026
Highfield Level 2 Award in Food Safety for Catering (RQF) — Exp. Nov 2027
PADI Open Water Diving

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Name: Mark Kotzee
Position: Deckhand
Nationality: South African
Languages: English, Afrikaans

Description:
Mark Kotzee is an enthusiastic Deck/Engineer who transitioned into the yachting industry following a career in law, bringing strong organisational skills, professionalism, and a hands-on approach. Based in Fort Lauderdale, he has completed a full season of active yachting work across the Caribbean and US East Coast, gaining broad experience in deck operations, exterior maintenance, and engineering support. His roles have included luxury charter work, shipyard and refit periods, and engine room daywork at a professional diesel marine facility. He is comfortable performing line handling, anchoring, washdowns, teak care, bilge restoration, watermaker management, and assisting with mechanical repairs and component replacements.

Job Description
Mark supports all deck and engineering operations onboard, including line handling, anchoring procedures, fender setup, washdowns, and exterior maintenance to charter-ready standards. He conducts engineering checks, monitors watermakers and sea strainers, manages shore power connections, and assists the captain with mechanical repairs and component replacements. He is hardworking, adaptable, and comfortable working in fast-paced charter environments alongside interior and deck crew.

Licences and Qualifications
STCW95 Basic Training — Exp. 2029
SAMSA (ENG 1) Seafarers Medical — Exp. Dec 2026
RYA Powerboat Level II
PADI Open Water Diving
Elite Yacht Crew Training — Superyacht Sunday School
PBYA Superyacht Boot Camp and Mentorship