Crew Profiles:
Mark
Born and raised in South Florida, Mark has spent his life surrounded by the ocean. After school, he began his maritime career working on commercial vessels, quickly gaining the hands-on experience that would shape his lifelong profession at sea.
Over the years, he has operated ships and yachts of all sizes throughout the Caribbean, Bahamas, and U.S. East Coast, mastering a wide range of vessels and navigating some of the most beautiful cruising grounds in the world. His career naturally evolved into the world of luxury chartering, where he found his true passion - creating unforgettable experiences for guests on the water.

An avid surfer, diver, and lifelong sailor, Mark brings an easygoing energy and deep respect for the ocean to every charter. Whether he’s hoisting sails for a sunset cruise, guiding guests to a hidden cove, or ensuring smooth passage on long voyages, his calm professionalism and local knowledge shine through.

Dedicated to safety, comfort, and adventure, Captain Mark takes pride in providing guests with the same sense of freedom and connection to the sea that has inspired him since childhood.


Julia

Born and raised in Germany, Julia fell in love with the ocean at a young age, spending every summer sailing the Mediterranean on small monohulls with her family. Those early adventures sparked her passion for yachting and naturally led her to stewardessing, where she gets to share her love of the sea while creating unforgettable experiences for guests.

Her approach to hospitality is all about the details - she'll make sure your coffee is exactly how you like it, your pillows are perfectly fluffed, and your day flows seamlessly from start to finish. She thrives both in the interior and on deck, whether she's dropping anchor, tying fenders, or lending a hand wherever needed. Her attention to detail and genuine care for the guests comes naturally, making everyone on board feel looked after.



Stephen

Language : French, English

Borned and Raised on Sint-Maarten Island, Stephen grew up with the idea to become a chef and a restaurant’s owner from a very young age, like his father, who owned a restaurant for several years on the island.

At 15 years old, he left his island to study in the hospitality industry for 5 years. He worked in particular in a 1-Michelin Star restaurant and a 5-Star Relais & Châteaux in Corsica, “Le Grand Hotel de Cala Rossa”.

In 2017, after Hurricane Irma, Stephen went back to Sint-Maarten, first to fix everything which was broken, and then to fix and open a restaurant with his brother. Exactly 1 year after Hurricane Irma, “Be Kool” opened on September 6th 2018. a Generous French kitchen in a concept where people never know what’s going to be on the menu.

After 4 years, in 2022, Stephen chose to sell his parts to start a new passion, sport. He obtained his diploma of personal coaching to start learning to people the importance of taking care of their health and their nutrition and themselves.

It is at this time that Stephen meets Avanti’s crew, and it was so easy to discuss and to work together that this new adventure began ! Stephen will be happy to serve you and to share his passion about food, sport, lifestyle and health.


Clay
Raised in Jupiter, Florida, Clay spent all of his freetime on the water. A fishing and diving enthusiast and son of a charter boat captain, Clay started out as a mate on his dads boat conducting fishing charters and snorkel excursions. After teaching high school for 4 years and being a mate on the weekends, Clay decided to pursue his career on the water and obtained his captains license in 2024. He served as Captain on the Pontoon Saloon in Nashville, Tennessee which was a party cruise with 200 guests with the responsibility of keeping the atmosphere fun and safe. A strong desire to get back to the ocean brought Clay to Avanti where he enjoys keeping people safe and happy while getting them in the water.