Brief

Chris Thomson
Captain (rotation), UK
Joined LADY JOY in May 2013
Raised on the South Coast of England, Chris started sailing at an early age and travelled Europe sailing both competitively and for pleasure. Now a father of two, time for hobbies is limited, but whenever an opportunity arises, he loves to introduce his children to boat life on the family sailing yacht or take to the water windsurfing. His safety consciousness is more pronounced as a father than ever, and he ensures that safety is of paramount importance on board LADY JOY. When maritime weather conditions are unsuitable, Chris is more than likely to be enjoying a round of golf or a game of squash. Chris’s professional yachting career began over twenty years ago, during which time he has also graduated from the University of Plymouth with a BSC honors degree in Marine Technology, and completed his “MCA Master of Yachts License”. Chris has lost count of the number of times he has crossed the Atlantic, and knows the Mediterranean and Caribbean like the back of his hand; he has also spent time cruising the Baltic, Indian Ocean and west and east coasts of the United States. Chris has several exciting itineraries in mind to suit your cruising dreams. You can be sure that Chris will put his all into making your stay on board LADY JOY the holiday of a lifetime.

Simon Alway
Captain (rotation), UK
Joined LADY JOY in March 2015
Simon grew up in the West Country of England, becoming quite the sailor as a teenager during holiday trips on a relative’s yacht. After studying Yacht Manufacturing at Southampton University, Simon worked for a boat building company in the UK, and soon realized that he would rather work on yachts than build them. He then spent the winter of 1999–2000 sailing in and around the English Channel before joining his first motor yacht as a professional crew member in 2000. Since then, Simon has gained invaluable experience working on various yachts while cruising the Mediterranean, The Bahamas, Caribbean, the US east coast and has completed numerous Atlantic crossings. Simon is the father of two boys with his family home now in Montreal, Canada. With his knowledge, expertise and love of the ocean, Simon always makes sure that guests are provided with the utmost safety, care and enthusiasm and that they enjoy a fun and unforgettable cruising experience on board LADY JOY.

Dan Waters
Chief Officer (rotation), UK
Joined LADY JOY in June 2018
Dan began his career in 2005 as a cadet in the Merchant Navy and completed a Bachelor of Science in Marine Studies at Plymouth University in England. During his cadetship, he circumnavigated the globe on a variety of commercial ships including several months on a sail training vessel teaching disabled passengers. Since then, he has worked his way through the ranks on a variety of yachts up to 160 meters in length. In his spare time, he enjoys going to the gym and running, but his real passion is fishing. Dan’s adventures have ranged from catching 200lb catfish in Spain to salmon fishing in Alaska! He is also a keen diver and some of his best ones have included swimming with hammerheads in the Galapagos Islands and hand-feeding bull sharks in Fiji. Whether you are looking for a chilled beach holiday or an action-packed adventure, Dan will always go out of his way to make sure that your stay on board LADY JOY is one you will never forget.

Dylan Lenard
Chief Officer (rotation), UK
Joined LADY JOY in May 2015
Dylan is an energetic, enthusiastic, and efficient person who loves his career. He always likes to find the positive in everything and this rubs off on those around him. Having grown up in multiple countries including South Africa where he was born, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and England, he developed a passion for the ocean and the outdoors. He loves physical activities and from the adrenaline seekers to the shy beginners, he has been told that he has a knack for getting people to enjoy themselves! He is particularly good with kids, helping them to improve their skills and partake in all the activities the yacht has to offer while always participating in an exciting yet safe manner.

Terry McManus
Chief Engineer (rotation), UK
Joined LADY JOY in June 2023
Terry grew up in the coastal town of South Shields, located in the mouth of the river Tyne in northeast England. As South Shields has a long and proud tradition of seafaring and shipbuilding, it was a natural progression for Terry, along with his passion for marine engineering, to enter the yachting industry. Over the years, he worked his way up the ranks to become Chief Engineer on board LADY JOY. Along with his love for Motocross and motorcycle restoration, Terry keeps fit and active in his spare time with boxing, kickboxing, and martial arts.

Sam Horwitz
Chief Engineer (rotation), UK/USA
Joined LADY JOY in January 2023
Sam was born in Norwich, England and grew up in a small village in the countryside. Surrounded by the rivers and canals of the Norfolk broads, Sam spent much of his childhood sailing and now considers himself an accomplished sailor. After completing high school, he trained to be an electrician, but soon decided he would rather be traveling and spent a year in Australia. Returning from Australia Sam realized he didn’t want to stop traveling and so decided to complete the required courses at the UK Sailing Academy to gain the qualifications needed to work on yachts. Following that he flew to Fort Lauderdale in the United States to join his first yacht as a professional crew member at the start of 2014. Sam first worked on LADY JOY as second engineer in 2015 and has now returned to LADY JOY for his second stint onboard, this time as chief engineer after completing a commercial engineering license and achieving his chief engineering certification. He is interested in a variety of watersports including sailing, scuba diving and surfing and is also a passionate musician and guitarist.

Alice Green
Chief Stewardess, Northern Ireland
Joined LADY JOY in September 2019
Alice hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Criminology, she held various jobs in retail and then became VIP manager for a well-known local nightclub. A keen sports enthusiast, Alice became team leader of the Red Bull Ireland Wings Team, and also spent more than ten years playing high level netball, representing Northern Ireland and Ulster University. After embarking on a journey of self-discovery, Alice spent a month in India where she obtained her 200 Hours Yoga Teacher Training Certification. Having enriched herself in so many disciplines, Alice decided to join the yachting industry in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since! Yachting has allowed her to incorporate her love of adventure and travel with her passion for high end service. Alice looks forward to greeting guests with a flute of champagne and a warm smile, ensuring that they will enjoy every aspect that LADY JOY has to offer.

Zuzanna Kilanowicz
Stewardess, Poland
Joined LADY JOY in October 2021
Zuza grew up in a beautiful, small mountain town in southern Poland. After completing her Cosmetology Degree, she decided to set out on a new path and moved to France, where she founded her own business that specialized in VIP makeup and elite hospitality. Combining her love of the ocean with her experience in hospitality, a future in yachting appeared to be a natural career path for her. Her various hobbies include cooking, cosmetology, handicrafts, skiing and camping. Zuza always looks forward to meeting new guests and to offering unforgettable memories and excellent service onboard LADY JOY.

Morgen Wallerich
Stewardess, USA
Joined LADY JOY in August 2021
Morgen grew up in Gig Harbor, Washington. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications from Washington State University, she went on to work in the service industry in downtown Seattle. After a few years, Morgen decided it was time to immerse herself in different cultures and experiences around the world by joining the yachting industry and hasn’t looked back since! In her free time, Morgen loves playing tennis, skiing, and going on hikes around the Pacific Northwest.

Gina Zerman
Stewardess, South Africa
Joined LADY JOY in October 2018
Gina was born and raised in Durban, South Africa. After completing her Bachelor of Commerce Degree & Honours in Financial Management at age twenty-one, she decided it was time to immerse herself in different cultures and experiences around the world by joining the yachting industry. Besides basking in the beauty of the ocean and magnificent sunsets, Gina enjoys going for a run, working out in the gym, reading and baking healthy sweets. Gina’s bubbly personality and easy-going demeanor will ensure that our guests have a most memorable stay while on board Lady Joy.

Vincent Vieira
Chef, France
Joined LADY JOY in March 2017 & November 2019
Originally from Cannes in the south of France, Vincent grew up in a typical French family that loved to cook. He attended culinary school at age sixteen and graduated two years later. Since then, Chef Vincent has worked around the world in fine dining restaurants, luxury hotels and for a British Premier League Football Club. Having worked in the yachting industry for over twelve years, his extensive travels have naturally inspired and enriched his culinary expertise. Whether it be French, Italian, Mediterranean or Asian, it will be Chef Vincent’s pleasure to treat our guests to his wide array of menus and to cater to any requests they may have.
 
Christo Theron
Deck/Engineer, South Africa
Joined LADY JOY in December 2022
Christo grew up on the coast of Hermanus, South Africa. Surrounded by nature, with mountains and forest on one side and a rough and cold ocean on the other, he was captivated by the ocean and its many mysteries from a very young age. Whether it’s surfing, free diving or spear fishing, he has always enjoyed being in the water. After completing school, Christo began a one-year internship at Neptune’s Divers And Cruises. After completion, he obtained a permanent position as sole deckhand and dive master for four years before taking the position of Deck/Engineer. Christo is thrilled to share his love of the deep blue sea with all guests on board LADY JOY!

Bradley Aleckson
Bosun and Rescue Diver, Australia
Joined LADY JOY in November 2019
Growing up on the pristine eastern coast of Australia shaped and developed Bradley’s love and respect for the ocean. He learned to swim before he could walk and engaged in a variety of water sports including surfing, wakeboarding, skateboarding, snowboarding and recently, kite boarding. Bradley graduated with high honors at Griffith University in 2016, obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with a triple major in finance, economics and financial planning and was awarded the University Student of the Year Award in 2016 for the Finance Industry in Australia. Realizing that the corporate world did not align with his adventurous leanings, Bradley decided to travel the world and began his career in yachting in 2018. As Bradley’s family ran a commercial fishing business operating a prawn trawler, he brings a wealth of fishing experience to LADY JOY. He is not only a certified rescue diver with extensive experience diving the Great Barrier Reef, but is a trained surf life saver as well. His extensive experience will ensure that he will always have his eyes open when assistance is required in or on the water. Bradley brings an array of skills and understanding to the LADY JOY team and looks forward to catering to her guests’ needs.

Michael Kilanowicz
Deckhand, Poland
Joined LADY JOY in January 2023
Michael was born and raised in a small town in southern Poland surrounded by majestic mountains and many rivers. He developed a passion for both skiing and photography at an early age, and after completing high school, he became a ski instructor for many years. Once Michael obtained his university degree in Cultural Studies, he worked in film production with an emphasis in photography and video. Combining his love of adventure and travel with his knowledge and passion for the visual arts, he decided to join the yachting industry in 2020. For guests who would like a fabulous souvenir of their holidays, Michael is always thrilled to make wonderful videos of them enjoying a phenomenal time on board LADY JOY!