Kate brings warmth, creativity, and genuine care to every charter, making dining onboard feel relaxed, personal, and effortlessly special — from sunset canapés to beautifully prepared dinners at anchor.
She combines strong hospitality training with extensive sailing yacht experience, including her participation in the 2024/25 Oyster World Rally. She has worked aboard two 22.5m Oyster sailing yachts including SATORI, and 42m Jongert ANNA CRISTINA. She’s built a reputation for reliability, adaptability, and outstanding guest service.
Trained at the renowned Ballymaloe Cookery School, Kate creates fresh, vibrant menus using quality local ingredients, always tailored to guest’s tastes and dietary needs. Her cooking is thoughtful, generous, and designed to make guests feel truly looked after.
Friendly, upbeat, and naturally attentive, Kate understands that it’s the small details — beautifully presented meals, perfect timing, and a warm smile — that turn a great charter into an unforgettable one.

Maya brings a warm presence and a genuine passion for sailing to PERSEVERANCE 1. With a background in events management in the UK, she combines strong hospitality skills with a practical, proactive approach to life on board. Friendly, adaptable and highly attentive to detail, Maya takes pride in delivering polished, thoughtful service while being equally happy to lend a hand on deck.
Maya’s sailing journey began on a friend’s boat in Australia and includes nearly a year aboard 25m Oyster REINA, where she completed her first Atlantic crossing. She holds an RYA Day Skipper qualification.
Outside of yachting, Maya enjoys sailing, diving, music and creative pursuits, including playing violin to ABRSM Grade 7 level.

First Officer David Hanks brings calm confidence, precision, and genuine care to every charter, ensuring the deck runs smoothly while guests feel relaxed and well looked after.
Originally from Ireland, David combines strong technical expertise with a natural awareness of guest experience. He holds his Yachtmaster Offshore and has experience on sailing yachts including 34m Vitters INOUI and 30m Southern Wind NYUMBA. Whether managing manoeuvres, water sports, or daily deck operations, he is reliable, attentive, and highly capable.
His background in refits and systems management ensures the yacht is maintained to the highest standards, while his friendly and steady approach makes him a reassuring presence on board. Outside of yachting, David is a scuba diver and long-distance runner who has completed the Paris Marathon.