Oleksii Laludov — Captain (Ukrainian)
Oleksii was born in Odessa, Ukraine, one of the country’s largest ports and a hub for maritime culture, home to multiple yacht marinas. After graduating in Civil Engineering and Architecture, he went on to obtain his Maritime School diploma, qualifying as an Officer of the Watch and later achieving his Master 500GT certification. Always closely connected to yachting, Oleksii worked in marinas throughout his studies and naturally pursued a career at sea, driven by a desire for extensive and remote travel around the world. Today, he is a proud husband and father of two, and he enjoys discovering new cultures and continuously learning from both his experiences and the people he meets along the way. After serving as Chief Officer on board Emocean since 2023, Oleksii naturally stepped up as Captain in 2025 and successfully completed his first season, receiving excellent feedback from charter guests. His leadership style is calm, professional, and grounded in strong operational knowledge. One of his greatest passions is diving—especially in Southeast Asia, where he has trained guests. He is also highly active in sports, with a particular interest in water sports, boxing, and wrestling.
James Wiltshire — Mate (Australian)
With over a decade of diverse maritime experience, James brings strong technical expertise, leadership, and a guest‑focused mindset to his role as Chief Officer on board Emocean. Holding a BA from the Australian Maritime College, he began his career in the Oil & Gas industry in Perth before transitioning into yachting in his late twenties. His path into yachting began after spending time living in Canada, where diving allowed him to reconnect with the ocean—an interest that soon evolved into a true passion for life at sea. Since then, James has built a solid career across a range of prestigious yachts, steadily progressing through deck positions until achieving the rank of Chief Officer. Known for his pragmatic and resourceful nature, James is highly appreciated by guests not only for his professionalism but also for his talent in creating custom video memories of their trips—an extra personal touch that reflects his dedication to elevating the charter experience.
Kayleigh Ferreira — Chief steward/ess (South African)
Kayleigh grew up in South Africa, surrounded by a vibrant and loving Portuguese family that nurtured her sense of adventure and joy. Her upbringing in this lively environment shaped her into a creative and dynamic individual. She pursued her passion for creativity by earning a degree in Graphic Design, followed by an honors degree in Marketing. In her early twenties, Kayleigh embraced exciting travel opportunities, skiing in the Alps, cruising the Caribbean, exploring Thailand and Vietnam on Contiki trips, and enjoying getaways in Spain, Italy, France, and Portugal. Back home in South Africa, she has tackled adventures such as climbing Table Mountain, camping in Knysna, and immersing herself in the wilderness. These experiences have taught her adaptability, cultural appreciation, and resilience. Her love for exploration and creativity naturally led her to the yachting industry, a field that has allowed her to travel to bucket-list destinations and meet extraordinary people. Following a successful charter season in the Mediterranean with an exceptional crew, she embarked on her next chapter on board the stunning Emocean in October 2024 and recently stepped up as Chief Stewardess.
Jade Story — Deckhand (South African)
Jade, a young and dynamic South African Deck/Stewardess, joins Emocean early 2026 with a lifelong connection to the ocean shaped by her upbringing in Durban (South Africa), where she developed a passion for surfing, water sports, and an active outdoor lifestyle. A former competitive surfer with brand sponsorships, she brings resilience, confidence, and a naturally athletic approach to her role. Her background in advertising strengthened her creativity and quick thinking, while extensive travels deepened her appreciation for new cultures and adventure. Growing up with parents involved in sailing and yacht sales, Jade’s interest in yachting developed early, leading her to pursue a career that allows her to combine guest interaction, exploration, and life at sea. She has held a variety of deck and interior roles on yachts ranging from 45m to 73m—both private and charter—including positions as Deckhand and Stewardess, building solid experience across multiple departments. Excited to join Emocean, she looks forward to contributing to exceptional guest experiences. Jade brings additional strengths in water sports. Energetic, humorous, and friendly, she embodies a positive and dynamic presence on board.
Andrii Biednyazenkov — Chief engineer (Ukrainian)
Born along Ukraine’s beautiful Black Sea coastline, Andrii graduated from the Makarov Shipbuilding University and has spent his entire life surrounded by boats. His deep connection to the sea, combined with extensive hands‑on experience across various vessels and regions, has given him a strong technical foundation and a broad understanding of the maritime industry. Driven by passion for his profession, Andrii spent over five years working on a unique transport vessel dedicated to delivering luxury yachts around the world. It was during this time that his interest in the yachting sector truly developed, ultimately inspiring him to pursue a career as a yacht engineer. Since joining Emocean for his first position in yachting, Andrii has followed the yacht from its early build stages and is now the most senior crew member on board. His commitment, knowledge, and familiarity with the vessel make him a key pillar of the engineering team. A former wrestler and boxer, Andrii remains highly active and continues to train regularly at the gym. Outside of his professional duties and fitness routine, he enjoys music and often listens to educational audiobooks to broaden his knowledge and enrich his general culture.
Connor Wilson — Deckhand (South African)
Connor grew up in Pretoria, South Africa, in a close-knit family of five. As the youngest of three siblings—with a twin brother and an older brother—he was raised in a supportive and adventurous environment. A passionate sports enthusiast, Connor particularly loves football (thanks to his father’s Liverpool heritage), and also enjoys playing golf and rugby. After completing high school, Connor pursued a degree in Business Management, gaining valuable knowledge in finance and operations. However, his lifelong dream was to work in the yachting industry, inspired by his passion for travel and connecting with people from diverse cultures and backgrounds. His introduction to yachting came through a close friend who shared stories of an unforgettable first season at sea. Connor’s fascination with the ocean—deepened through frequent deep-sea fishing trips, particularly in tropical Mozambique—ultimately led him to turn that dream into reality. After gaining valuable experience as a deckhand on several yachts, Connor is now thrilled to join the crew of Emocean, where he brings energy, dedication, and a genuine passion for delivering exceptional service.
Miguel Blanchet — Head Chef (French)
Miguel is a highly accomplished French Chef bringing a remarkable Michelin-starred background on board. Trained in prestigious culinary schools in Paris, he refined his craft through apprenticeships in Michelin-starred restaurants before going on to own and operate establishments awarded both one and two Michelin stars. His excellence in pastry is equally distinguished, holding the prestigious title of Meilleur Apprenti de France in pâtisserie. He was also a winner in the French European World Cup of Chocolate—an achievement that reflects both his creativity and technical mastery. Miguel’s culinary journey has taken him around the world, with extensive experience in Japan, the United States, Dubai, and the United Kingdom, where he spent 15 years developing his international gastronomic influence. His cuisine blends refined French techniques with global inspiration, offering guests a truly elevated and diverse dining experience. His entry into the yachting industry came unexpectedly, when he stepped in to assist on board a 60m yacht—an experience that quickly revealed his passion for the dynamic and demanding nature of charter life. Miguel thrives in the fast-paced charter environment, where adaptability, creativity, and consistency are key. He is committed to delivering exceptional culinary experiences tailored to each guest.
India Milne — Stewardess (South African)
India was board and raised in South Africa. With a strong background in hospitality and service, she brings both professionalism and a warm, adventurous spirit to the interior team of Emocean. Her love for the ocean and adventure was sparked early through weekends spent on the Vaal River enjoying water sports with family and friends, as well as diving trips inspired by her father, a scuba diving instructor. After completing school, she spent a gap year living in Israel and travelling across Europe and India, where she even skydived and trekked in the Himalayas. India began her yachting career in 2023 and has since built extensive experience on both private and charter yachts. She has held stewardess roles since then and developed her skills in service, housekeeping, provisioning, event planning, and guest care, always with an eye for detail and creativity. On board Emocean, India loves being part of a like-minded, welcoming crew and is dedicated to tailoring unforgettable guest experiences. A certified scuba diver, she combines her passion for the sea with her adventurous nature, ensuring every charter is filled with energy, comfort, and a personal touch. Creative, optimistic, and adventurous, India brings both enthusiasm and elegance to her role, helping make each guest’s stay as seamless and memorable as possible.
Gehan Venter — Chase Boat Captain (South African)
Gehan is our dynamic and enthusiastic chase tender captain, bringing five seasons of experience in the yachting industry to Emocean. His career progression from sole deckhand to lead deckhand on yachts up to 55 metres has allowed him to build strong skills at sea, a solid technical foundation, and a confident approach to operations on the water. Holding a Yachtmaster Offshore certification along with additional qualifications in personal watercraft operations and diving, he ensures both safety and efficiency in all aspects of his role. His hands-on experience across both private and charter yachts has given him a well-rounded understanding of guest expectations and onboard standards. Calm, positive, and proactive by nature, Gehan is known for his professional attitude and team-oriented mindset. He takes pride in delivering seamless operations and supporting the deck team to ensure guests enjoy a smooth, safe, and memorable experience on board.
