Captain - Christopher Callahan (British/USA, 40)

Christopher joined FELICITA WEST in April 08. Professionally sailing for 17 years, including sailing and chartering extensively on Perini Navi’s for the past 10 years.  Christopher was previously on the 41 metre Perini Navi, Lady Lauren as the Captain, spending three busy years chartering in the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Other past Perini Navi yachts were Andromeda la Dea 48 metre, Is a Rose 50 metre, Morning Glory 48 metre and Legacy 48 metre. Christopher holds his British Class 4 Master Certificate and is very safety conscious. Before yachting Christopher was a navigator on a P-3 Orion anti submarine hunter based in the North Atlantic with the U.S. Navy.  Christopher is originally from Connecticut in the USA and now shares his home with his Italian partner and young son in Venice, Italy.

First Officer - Tristan Hooper (South African, 26)

Tristan grew up on an Ostrich farm in South Africa. After finishing high school he got his first yacht job crewing on a 50ft catamaran from South Africa to the Caribbean. He has since worked on various sailing yachts, a couple of motor yachts and safely completed 10 Atlantic Ocean crossings (3 on Felicita West).  Felicita West is the second Perini Navi he has joined.  He has been a keen surfer, dinghy sailor, diver and fisherman since his childhood and takes a lot of interest in various kinds of water sport. Tristan is an MCA Chief Mate and has been with Felicita since 2006

Second Officer - Andre J. Van Rensburg (South Africa, 34)

Andre started his yachting career five years ago in the Bahamas.  Andre has since worked on very busy charter yachts and has had the privilege of sailing all over the Caribbean and most of the Mediterranean Sea. Andre is currently preparing for his Officer of the Watch exams.  Andre has a love for the outdoors and water sports and will make sure your stay onboard Felicita West is a memorable one. Andre has also worked with Capt Chris on Lady Lauren.

Chief Engineer – Harald  Van Der Hoorn (Dutch, 34)

Harald was born in Eindohoven in the Netherlands where he grew up and spending most of his weekends at sea in the provence of Zeeland. After Harald completed his mechanical engineering degree he moved to Amsterdam to work as an IT consultant roaming through the country. His passion for the sea drew him back to the ocean and he worked on several yachts cruising the Mediterranean and Caribbean waters. After completing his Y2 MCA Chief Engineer Certificate of Competency he worked as the Chief Engineer and joined Felicita West in September 2008. In his time of Harald enjoys motor cycling and scuba diving.

Second Engineer - Craig Stevenson (Scotland, 21)

Craig was born in the heart of Scotland “Paisley” and was introduced to sailing by his father at the age of 12 where he learned how to sail dinghies with the RYA at Lochwinoch then moving on to larger cruisers at Largs and Loch Ness. But the thing that hooked Craig on to the yachts was his challenge voyage to Iceland on a manual Oyster 70 ketch. After leaving Gleniffer High he attended The Glasgow College of Nautical Studies and was awarded his HND in Mechanical Engineering and his MCA Commercial 111/1 Certificate of competency and RYA Day Skipper. After his studies he worked on caustic chemical tankers, ro-ro vessels and on HAL luxury cruise ships and ultimately it was time to experience the super yacht industry.

Chef - Christian Delhay (Australian, 37)

Trained in Australia, Christian has been a chef now for 17 years. Starting in Sydney’s prominent fine dining restaurants and then moving to London to run “directors dining” suites for the Royal Bank of Scotland and Barclays Capitol.  Christian has been involved in the yachting industry now for 4 years both in America and the Mediterranean and brings with him a vast knowledge of different culinary cultures, from Thai and Asian to the classical French and Italian kitchens. When not at sea Christian lives between the Blue Mountains in Australia and the Cote d’Azure France where he loves to motorcycle tour and travel the beautiful countyside.

Chief Stewardess - Shannon Gee (Australian, 37)

Shannon Gee

Stewardess - Deanna Valente (U.S.A., 27)

Deanna Valente comes from Cotuit, MA . She has had the privilege of growing up on the water and has enjoyed the beautiful Cape Cod summers. Deanna went to the University of Rhode Island where she majored in English. After college she went to work for the former owner of Reebok at his First Class Golf Course, Liberty National, during the beginning stages of the project.  Deanna enjoys all water sports, traveling and relaxing with the friends she has made along the way.  Deanna worked with Captain Chris on the Perini Navi Lady Lauren.

Stewardess – Kristin McGahey (South African, 25)

Kristin was born in sunny South Africa and grew up on a horseracing farm. After completing school she worked in the service industry. She has a caring nature so she completed a two-year health and skincare diploma; with these skills she worked on cruise liners. She also has a creative side so she returned to the studies and completed a professional makeup and hair styling course. With all her skills in a bag she decided to join FELICITA WEST and see the world.

Bosun – JC du Plessis (South African, 27)

JC grew up in a small town in the eastern part of South Africa.  After finishing school he studied to become a teacher and spent two years teaching in the UK.  When he returned to South Africa he completed his Yachtmaster Offshore and set out seeking adventure and a new lifestyle.  He is a very keen sports person and enjoys competition.  He lives by the rule “why do it tomorrow if you can do it today”.

Deckhand - Denmar Nel (South Africa, 23)

Denmar grew up in Durban, South Africa sailing competitively in the Nationals and Provincials with various dinghies and keelboats. With this kind of experience it was only natural that Denmar followed his passion for the ocean and embarked on his career within the yachting industry. His first super yacht was the Perini Navi Lady Lauren with Captain Chris. After 2 years, he experimented with motorboats but with his love of sailing has returned to the Perini family on board Felicita West with Chris.

Deckhand - Tom De Kock (South Africa, 22)

Tom grew up in a small fishing village in Cape Town, South Africa. He did his first deep-sea fishing trip at the age of 4 and since then has been on the ocean every chance he gets. He started skippering his fathers boat at the tender age of 16 and has spent the last couple of years in the commercial tuna industry.  His first taste of yachting was in 2006 where he spent 7 months on an 82m Motor Yacht. Tom joined Felicita West in July 2008 and it’s the first sailing yacht he’s worked on. He has just acquired his AEC engineering certificate and is planning to follow the engineering route. His other interest includes diving and rugby.