Name: Peter Lacey
Position: Captain
Nationality: Australian
Description:
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PREVIOUS YACHTS: MY MUSTIQUE (35m, charter), MY GEORGIA 11 (27m), MY DREAMTIME (35m, charter), MV PEARL (25m, charter)
OTHER: MY REEL SCREAMER (17m), Coral Princess (35m cruise ship), ISLAND PASSAGE (44m), Commercial Vessels
PETER HAS CRUISED: Australia – North to South and East to West, and the Great Barrier Reef extensively; Japan, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands.
Originally from South-East Queensland, Peter has a diverse amount of maritime experience spanning over 30 years in different areas of the industry and covering the South Pacific cruising grounds. In 1991 and after a degree in Business Management, Peter dipped his toes in the superyacht industry as a Dive Master and First Officer on board MY MUSTIQUE, on the East Coast of Australia. Working up the ranks, he then gained experience as Master and Chief Engineer on superyachts, catamarans and small intimate cruiseships. His roles have provided him with extensive and first-hand knowledge of the most pristine areas of the Great Barrier Reef, offering his guests incredible diving and fishing experiences (high-end light and heavy tackle game fishing).
Peter also visited some of earth’s most remote areas such as Arnhem Land and the Kimberleys in the Northern Territory of Australia, and participated in delivery voyages around Australia and as far as Japan. As Operations Manager, Peter managed up to 3 monohull dive vessels operating out of Cairns, and has often offered to share his passion to guests on all of his roles with extreme attention to safety and comfort. In 2013, he became a certified marine teacher within Australia’s National Training Center. Joining BELUGA in October 2016 as a Chief Engineer, he has since taken on the role of Captain.
Peter is a PADI Dive Master, and when not on board his interests include trail bike riding, fishing, 4WD, rugby league and obviously, scuba diving. He looks forward to welcoming guests on board and is proud to be leading an incredibly experienced team on board BELUGA.
Name: Darren Sommerville
Position: First Officer
Nationality: Australian
Description:
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PREVIOUS YACHTS: SY SPIRIT OF THE C’S (64m), MY DE LISLE III (42m), SY ABEL TASMAN (26m), SY KAWESKAR II (15m), SY GEORGIA (50m), MY AQUALBIBRIUM (40m)
OTHER: Dive boats, Salvage tug boats, catamaran operators
DARREN HAS CRUISED: The Mediterranean, Caribbean
Australia and the Great Barrier Reef extensively; New Zealand
Multiple crossings include from France to the Maldives
South Pacific (Tonga, Tahiti)
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Darren’s experience is varied, and we are delighted to be welcoming him on board BELUGA. Cruising the oceans since 2003, he has acquired an array of superb sea experiences, from New Mexico to the Great Barrier Reef, from a deckhand position to Skipper and Engineer on private and charter yachts.
On board SY ABEL TASMAN, Darren was standby captain of the 20ft Bounty Lugger boat during the 4-month reenactment of Captain William Bligh’s 4000nm open boat voyage after the mutiny, filmed by Channel 4 in the UK. He has conducted several projects and managed extensive shipyard periods around the world. Darren is a PADI Dive Master (completed in 2012 in the BVIs), RYA MCA Ocean Yacht Master (Completed in Auckland, New Zealand). He is passionate about travel and after a 2-month break back home in Australia, is ready to sail the seven seas with great enthusiasm!
Name: Sarah Esterhuysen
Position: Chef
Nationality: Australian
Description:
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PREVIOUS YACHTS: Sole Chef MY ACHILLES (37m), MY XANADU (34m), MY DE LISLE III (42m), Head Chef MY CAKEWALK (85.6m), Second Chef MY LA MASQUERADE (55m)
OTHER: Private Chef, Private Villa (Switzerland and France)
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19 years in the world’s array of kitchens and galleys, preparing tasting voyages for guests on and off shore… Sarah certainly is well travelled.
Her experience prior to superyachts (since 2006), spanned the oil, gas, mining and hospitality sectors – but eventually the ocean gained her heart back allowing her to prepare beautiful culinary delighted in a more intimate environment. Sarah prides herself in sourcing the freshest, locally produced ingredients for guests – from fruit and vegetables, meats, preparing the caught of the day… she enjoys the challenge of cruising remote areas and delivering seamless palate experiences.
It is no surprise that gardening aligns with Sarah’s passion of cooking, but she is also passionate about any watersports and outdoor activities.
Please enquire about Sarah’s full sample menus!
Name: Megan Becker
Position: Chief Stewardess
Nationality: Australian
Description:
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PREVIOUS YACHTS: MY NINA J (42m), MY SIBELLE (44m), MY OHANA (44m, ex SISTER ACT)
MEGAN HAS CRUISED: Australia, South Pacific, the Mediterranean and Caribbean
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Megan’s childhood was spent with her family in Coffs Harbour, Australia. It was here, surfing at the local beach, that she discovered her love for the ocean.
Megan began her career in the yachting industry as a masseuse, and her thirst for knowledge helped her build her career. Her creative attitude and fast learning skills blended into the passionate and strong chief stewardess that she is today.
Megan has a wonderful sense of humor and will provide the best attentive service for the guests, while creating that fun and relaxed atmosphere onboard for both guests and crew to appreciate.
Megan enjoys all aspects of the yacht and will endeavour to make her guest time onboard BELUGA an experience of a lifetime.
Name: Stuart McCuaig
Position: Engineer
Nationality: Australian
Description:
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PREVIOUS YACHTS: MY SEA WIND (18m), YT LADY SOUL (31m), MY PLATINUM (50m), MY THUMPER (40m), MY HAYKEN (50m)
STUART HAS CRUISED: The Mediterranean, Caribbean, Australia and the Great Barrier Reef.
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Holding a Y3 3000Kw Chief Engineer certificate in hand, Stuart completed 2 Apprenticeships as an Electrician and as an Automotive Mechanical Technician, working in these trades for a total of 12 years before moving to Superyachts. He defines himself as having excellent fault-finding skills with modern electronics and wiring systems, engines and transmissions, AV, IT and networking.
Stuart has lived around the ocean ever since his birth, acquiring over 4,000nm of recreational offshore experience - including an outright win in the 2008 Sydney to Hobart yacht race on board the TP52 Quest. He has competed in numerous Australian National titles in a range of boats including J24’s, Sydney 38’s and Melges 24’s and 32’s with great success.
Name: Ryan Hallinan
Position: Deckhand
Nationality: Australian
Description:
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PREVIOUS YACHTS: MY SuRi (64m)
OTHER: Commercial vessel MV BRABO, Western Australia.
RYAN HAS CRUISED: Australia, South Pacific (Fiji)
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Originally from Cairns in Far North Queensland, Ryan is your go-to man for local knowledge and advice whilst traveling through the area. He loves the outdoors, camping and especially spearfishing. Like all crew onboard Ryan is always happy, smiling and ready to create for you the most amazing time on board BELUGA, at any given opportunity.
Name: Daniel Radcliffe
Position: Chaseboat Skipper (MINKE) - on rotation
Nationality: Australian
Description:
Daniel joins MINKE to accompany BELUGA, and takes care of guests for excursions such as fishing, diving, or exploring the waterways.
Daniel was born and raised in Cairns, Australia. He has a wealth of knowledge and experience in the marine industry and is a qualified Master 5 captain, diesel fitter and an experienced crewman in all aspects of fishing. Daniel has worked on the water for over ten years including over six Cairns heavy tackle marlin seasons on the deck. He also owned and operated his own marine diesel fitting business.
Name: Erin Smart
Position: Optional Dive Instructor (upon availability)
Nationality: Australian
Description:
In 2017, Erin proudly obtained her 10 year Padi Pro Membership Award.
Erin’s passion for Diving started in Port Douglas, when she first became a Dive Master and worked as an Underwater Photographer. In 2008 she went to the Philippines and became a PADI Dive Instructor. Having worked now in Queensland Australia, the Philippines, Western Australia, Thailand and Mozambique, Erin is a highly experienced Dive Professional and brilliant Guide.
Kids are somewhat of a specialty of Erin’s and everywhere that we have worked, she is always dedicated to teaching the younger generation to dive.
In her 12 years’ experience, Erin has had the privilege of leading on a spectacular dive, one of Australia’s most iconic travel show presenters/Indigenous Australian actors, the one and only Ernie Dingo! Erin was interviewed as part of a four-part series, called “Going Places”. She is also involved with GBR Legacy, and amazing initiative run by John & Linda Rumney. John has worked for over 40 years on the GBR, educating, researching, fundraising & creating awareness for the underwater realm. Erin first met John when he was operating & skippering UNDERSEA EXPLORER, a not for profit research vessel.
Erin’s passion for diving is enhanced by truly inspirational and knowledgeable research teams she collaborates with. Her 9 volunteering experiences have taken her to the most remote corners of the Northern Ribbon Reefs, Lizard Island, Osprey Reef and Raine Island. Donating equipment and her time, she was previously involved in research projects equivalent to the current “SEARCH FOR SOLUTIONS” on the Great Barrier Reef.
In her underwater world, Erin has had the chance to share encounters with great and small sea creatures: Whalesharks, Manta rays, Hammerheads, Minke whales, Tiger sharks, Eagle rays, Barracuda, tiny Nudibranchs, Lion fish.... the list goes on... that’s the beauty of diving!
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Note: The dive instructor or any third-party Crew members are an additional expense.
They need to be accommodated in a guest cabin, or on board the chaseboat.
