VIVIERAE II

Named after James Dean, J-Dean grew up Potchefstroom – an academic town 120km southwest of Johannesburg, South Africa. After completing her degree in Communication Management and honors in Entrepreneurship and Marketing at The North West University, she moved to Johannesburg to start a career as a new business executive. This new career only lasted a year and a half when she realized living in one place was not meant for her. Her heart was yearning to travel the world, meet new people, and learn about other cultures. J-Dean resigned from her big city job to pursue her dream as a stewardess with Emirate Airlines where she worked for 3 years. Meeting her now fiancé in Dubai, they decided to join the yachting industry together in 2017. J-Dean & Jean started working on VIVIERAE II for Bob & Sandy Giles in 2019 and have not looked back since. She aims to give the best experience to guests, making them feel comfortable and at home on board whilst giving them what they want before they even know it. J-Dean’s yachting certifications include STCW, PDSD, Powerboat Level 2, Advanced Scuba Diver, and Food & Hygiene Level 2. J-Dean enjoys any adventures on her time off including hiking, scuba diving, team sports, arts and crafts. Elizabeth Stander – Second Stew Elizabeth was born in a neighboring country to South Africa, called Namibia. She moved to South Africa to start her studies as an Interior Designer in 2018. During her studies, she met Dennis and they got married when she graduated in 2020. After two years of marriage, they decided to go on the great adventure that is yachting. She has always wanted to travel, and yachting seemed like the perfect way to go. She and Dennis started their yachting careers in January 2023 in Fort Lauderdale, Florida and joined VIVIERAE II in March 2023. She loves the outdoors and learning new things. She has a passion for exercise and being healthy.

Dennis grew up in Potchefstroom, South Africa far from the ocean. He studied mechanical engineering at the North West University in Potchefstroom. Dennis is a God-fearing family man whose greatest joy is his amazing wife. He lives for adventure and enjoying beauty in life. Mechanical engineer by trade, deck/engineer by profession. Previously Dennis worked as a project engineer in the mining and production environment. Dennis’s experience also includes overland and nature tour guiding, working at ski resorts in Colorado US, maintenance work in the UK, and a year of military training in South Africa. Dennis’s yachting certifications include STCW, PDSD, and Open Water Scuba. Dennis’s hobbies include: scuba diving, hunting, hiking, rugby, squash, weight training, and the biggest of all is braai-ing. Dennis is always keen on learning new skills and he wants to deliver a quality guest experience. He is an open person so feel free to strike up a conversation or ask for any assistance whenever you please.