STARSHIP 185' Yacht Charter Motor Boat

Captain

Brief

Steve Feldman
Captain
American
Languages Spoken: English

Captain Steve, originally from New York, has now been in sunny Florida for over 20 years after making the move to start his own boat repair business. Being a boater for most of his life, the transition to the yachting industry seemed like it was the natural thing to do. He has now been in yachting for nearly 30 years and still loves it as much as his first time on board.

Captain Steve has been with Starship since 2003 and has evolved the charter program to a once in a lifetime and experience with service that exceeds every guest's expectation. He ensures that every charter runs smoothly from start to finish, with every detail being accounted for. He is a Captain with tons of knowledge to share and enjoys the company of guests in the Bridge while they sail. Although he is adaptable to all types of charters, he naturally favors families as he has two daughters of his own - ages 8 and 19.

His passion is ‘go fast’ boating and spends most of his free time with other boaters in central Florida or driving around sports cars.
Chartering on 185’ Starship is to charter with one of the industry’s best captains alongside his dynamic crew who will ensure an experience like no other.



German Sabin
Chief Officer
Russian
Education/Certifications: Bachelor's Degree in Marine Navigation
Languages Spoken: English, Russian, Lithuanian

German grew up in Lithuania, Klaipeda which is based on the coast of the Baltic Sea. During his childhood, he was a professional swimmer for 12 years before slowly transitioning to CrossFit as a fulltime hobby. After four years of studies at the Maritime Academy, German graduated and joined commercial fleet, following in the footsteps of his father and brother. After one year working in the industry, he discovered yachting, and has loved working his way towards Captain ever since.
German has now been boating for five years. He has previously worked onboard, M/Y TURQUOISE, M/Y HAMPSHIRE, M/Y KATHARINE, and M/Y AVALON. He has become the go-to crew member for all things watersports. During his time in the industry, he has cruised all five Great Lakes, Norway, the majority of the Caribbean Islands, Bahamas, the Mediterranean, and more.
Outside of yachting, German hopes to accomplish being a good husband, father and son. Additionally, he would love to start his own business one day that will allow him to earn passive income in order to spend more time with his loved ones.
German wants every charter guest to walk away from their time onboard STARSHIP amazed of the outstanding service the crew provided.



Bea Stapor
Chief Stewardess
Polish
Education/Certifications: University of Economics in Wroclaw, Poland with a specialization in Business Management
Languages: English, Polish
Nationality: Polish

Bea grew up in south west Poland but spent quite a bit of time in Berlin, Germany where her mom resides. After graduating in her early 20s, she immigrated to England where she lived for ten years. Bea is now located in sunny Florida where she hopes to become a Real Estate House Manager one day. Prior to joining the yachting industry, Bea was an office administrator and assistant for a major magazine company in Soho, London for over five years. She has also worked in HR and as a PA.

After 10 rainy years in London, Bea started her yachting adventure in 2014. She has now been a chief stew for the past four years on both private and charter vessels. From organizing themed nights and curating beautiful decorations, to making the best specialty cocktails, every guest is sure to have an experience that can’t be replicated.

Staying active has become part of Bea’s lifestyle. She tries to work out every day while also practicing yoga and meditation. In her spare time, she loves diving, reading, hiking, and connecting to nature.

Bea wants all guests who come on board to dance like there is no tomorrow, laugh like they never have before, and enjoy being pampered on 185’ STARSHIP.



Nelle Horn-Lucas
Second Stew
Canadian
Education/Certifications: General Bachelor of Arts, Sports & Event Marketing
Languages: English
Nationality: Canadian

Nelle grew up in a Jamaican household in Toronto, Canada playing volleyball, basketball, soccer, and track and field. She decided to leave Toronto to teach English in Palma de Mallorca where she was introduced to yachting in 2015. Nelle’s love for travel, her joy in providing a high level of customer service, and knowing that she’s part of a memorable experience for guests, is what makes her love being part of this industry. Prior to yachting, Nelle has experience in finance, marketing, and teaching.

During her yachting career, Nelle has cruised French Polynesia, Alaska, Galapagos, Barcelona, Athens, Santorini, Capri, Malta, the Caribbean, and more. She continuously strives to learn as much as she can in every department in order to be of maximum assistance to both guests and crew. She has an eye for detail and will always go above and beyond to ensure an unforgettable experience for every guest who walks on board.

When Nelle is not busy providing impeccable service, you can find her playing beach volleyball, the ukulele, reading, and cooking. One day she hopes to open her own bed and breakfast somewhere in the Caribbean.



Maria Estela Andeme Edu
Third Stew
Equatoguinean
Education/Certifications: STCW, Crowd & Crisis Management, Proficiency in Security Awareness, Advanced Medical Course, Padi Open Water, Bachelor's - Applied Foreign Languages
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Portuguese, French, Fang, Conversational in Italian

Maria grew up in Morocco and Bioko Island, located off the west coast of Africa and the northernmost part of Equatorial Guinea. Her upbringing has been a split between island and city life, experiencing many adventures with her five brothers.

Maria started yachting in the summer of 2021. Coming out of university, she always had an interest in the industry but started working on cruise ships instead. However, after a few short months, she decided it was time to go ahead and make the move to yachting. With her hospitality and guest services background, Maria knows how to provide a 5-star experience. She has a strong work ethic and is known for always having good energy. Dedicated to ensuring guests get the most out of their experience, you can always count on Maria to go the extra mile.

In her spare time, Maria likes to exercise, read, go to the beach, and dance. Language and communication are a couple of her greatest passions. She can also teach Latin dance or Zumba, which makes for a great way to get guests active.

Outside yachting, Maria wants to open a community center to teach others about marine conservation.



Madison Thompson
Fourth Stew
American
Education/Certifications: STCW, ENG1, 200HR yoga teacher training
Languages Spoken: English

Madi grew up in the beautiful beach town of Newport, Rhode Island, a popular tourist town in the summer months and a destination for sailing yachts. Growing up, she had a horse and rode every day for 10 years. She also developed an interest in yoga at 10 years of age that has only grown since that time.

An avid traveler since her teens, Madi moved to New Zealand upon graduating from high school, and began working in the events department at a five-star hotel. From there, she headed to Australia where she worked in an office by day and as a waitress by night.

Madi started yachting in the summer of 2020, combining her work experience in the hospitality industry with her desire to see the world. Surrounded by yachts each summer in Newport, she knew yachting was a career option from a young age. In fact, yachting is in her blood as her mother came to the United States from New Zealand as a Stewardess on a yacht.

She joined her first yacht crew out of her hometown of Newport, and cruised around Rhode Island and New York. Following that, she moved to Fort Lauderdale and joined a crew that traveled through the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Saint Martin and the Dominican Republic. Outside of yachting, Madi’s travels have taken her to Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, Cambodia and, of course, Australia and New Zealand. By far, Thailand has been her favorite place to visit because of its people, food, scenery and overall vibe.

Madi joins the crew of M/Y STARSHIP as 4th Stew, primarily responsible for maintaining and organizing the interior spaces, and helping guests have the best time possible. She also hopes to use her yoga teacher training with interested guests. Her goal is to gain extensive knowledge of the yachting industry and eventually move into the role of Chief Stew. Outside of yachting, she has a keen interest in health and wellness, and plans to further her yoga training. She hopes her travels allow her to discover a place where she wants to settle down some day and open her own hostel or bed and breakfast.

In her leisure time, Madi enjoys hiking, beach days, trying new restaurants with friends, and practicing yoga.



Gary Thomas
Chef
Scottish
Education/Certifications: Trade Certificate in Cookery, Auckland Hotel & Chefs Training School, MCA Food Hygiene level 3, Ships Cooks Certificate, Rescue Diver, STCW 10, RYA Power Boat Level 2, IRB Crew and Driver Certificates
Languages Spoken: English

Gary was born in Scotland and his family moved to New Zealand in 1982. He spent most of his time in Auckland where he did his schooling and worked as a lifeguard on the west coast beaches.

Gary first entered the yachting industry by doing temp work on M/Y UYLSSES. He moved to yachting full-time in April 2013 and has since worked on a variety of motor and sailing yachts.

Gary has excellent culinary skills with 27 years of galley and kitchen experience. He is comfortable cooking healthy Organic, Pacific Rim, classic French, Italian, and modern Asian-style foods, which enables him to relate well to a diverse range of people. He is happy to accommodate all dietary requirements and will ensure allergies and special requests are handled with great care. Gary is able to easily adapt to any given environment and enjoys being a part of a committed and enthusiastic team who is fully committed to providing a 5-star dining experience.

When Gary is not busy preparing immaculate dishes, you can find him playing water sports, mountain biking, fly and saltwater fishing, or doing underwater photography.

As one of his favorite quotes states, "A recipe has no soul. You, as the chef, must bring soul to the recipe" and Gary can’t wait to bring his dishes alive to his next guests on board STARSHIP.


Gregorio Gonzalez
Chief Engineer
Mexican
Education/Certifications: Chief Engineer Unlimited, STCW 2 010, SDSD
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish

Gregorio was born in San Francisco, Mexico. He grew up in Bahia de Banderas, a fisherman town on the Pacific Coast. Gregorio started in commercial in 2009 and has been working on yachts since 2016. He has always been involved with mechanical engineering and thought being on a yacht allow him to keep working on different types of vessels. Since his time in the industry, he has been onboard M/Y UBIQUITOUS, M/Y CORUS, M/Y BELBIER, and M/Y LEGACY. With fishing be a passion of Gregorio’s, when he’s not busy in the engine room he'll be sure to join guests for a fishing excursion, sharing all of the knowledge he has to offer.
Once Gregorio has finished his time on board, he would like to start his own maintenance company focused on yacht repairs. In his free time Gregorio loves participating in outdoor sports such as running, hiking, snorkeling, and of course fishing. He is a loving father of a five-year-old and very family-oriented.
Gregorio eagerly awaits the next guests to provide them with a safe and enjoyable luxury vacation onboard 185’ STARSHIP.



Christopher Banfield
2nd Engineer / Dive Instructor
South African
Certifications/ Education: STCW, Padi Dive Instructor, Elementary Seamanship, AEC, Short Range Certificate, Small Powerboat and Ribmaster, Compressor Operator, Yacht Rating, PWCI, First Responder Instructor, Oxygen Provider Instructor

Languages: English, Afrikaans

Christopher grew up in the suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa where he started working at a young age to support his family. After he completed school, he received a certification in Lighting Illumination where he designed and supplied lighting for homes, stadiums, hotels, and even consulted on a yacht. Christopher decided to leave the corporate sales world in order to get something more exciting out of life. He completed his yachting courses, became a Divemaster, and started his new career in Indonesia at Meridian Adventure Dive.
Onboard Christopher assists both the Chief Engineer and the deck team as needed. He is also responsible for providing guests with the amazing SCUBA diving experience. Guests can even ask Christopher to do a magic trick, but remember, a magician never reveals his secrets. After yachting, Christopher plans to open a specialized SCUBA diving travel company that travels around the USA teaching and arranging dive trips for students.
In his spare time, Christopher loves to do mixed martial arts, Brazilian Jiu jitsu, boxing, scuba diving, and magic tricks. Christopher is excited to welcome all guests onboard for the adventure of a lifetime.



Santiago Orozco Lusiardo
Bosun
Uruguayan
Education/ Certifications: PADI Instructor, Yachtmaster Offshore, AEC Transport Malta, Undergraduate Degree - Marketing
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish, Conversational in Italian

Santiago was born in Montevideo, Uruguay but grew up in Argentina with his parents and two sisters. He has always been very active playing futbol, tennis, rugby, and can play the guitar as well.

He started yachting about four years ago on a yacht that belonged to the father of one of his best friends. Just before this, he had been working in marketing for the past eight years. After traveling for a bit, Santiago realized the office life wasn’t for him and when the opportunity for yachting arose, he didn’t think twice.

Santiago believes his greatest asset to be his personality. Easygoing, extroverted, and a lover of meeting new people are all ways to describe him. Santiago’s ultimate goal is for charter guests to have the experience of a lifetime. To be able to not only enjoy beautiful landscapes but to get the most out of their time, enjoying personal and friendly interaction with all of the crew.

As he continues his journey in the yachting industry, Santiago wants to gain as much experience as possible leading him to become an all-around professional and an outstanding captain in the future.

Santiago’s greatest passion is dogs but he also loves scuba diving, working out, playing tennis, and learning new songs to play on his guitar.



Victor Salazar II
Deckhand
American
Certifications/Education: High school Diploma, Powerboat Level 2, Open Water, STCW
Languages: English

Victor grew up in a small beach town in North Carolina. During his childhood, he played every sport that he had time for but mainly soccer and basketball. He even won two state and one national title in soccer. However, his soccer career came to an end in his senior year when he blew out his knee and unfortunately lost his scholarships. This is when Victor turned to yachting. After being intrigued about what the industry had to offer, he decided to try it out.
Victor brings an enthusiastic attitude and an eagerness to learn. He loves being apart of the deck team, assisting in any way he can. One of his favorite tasks is putting together amazing beach set ups for guests to enjoy. While Victor wants to make a career out of yachting, when he is finished, he wants to pursue a family life and do volunteer work as a coach or with animal shelters.
A lover of the outdoors, when Victor has free time, you can find him skateboarding to the beach, playing volleyball, or diving as he is a certified diver. Victor wants every guest to have the type of vacation where they remember nothing but lots of fun and crazy stories.