Steve Feldman
Captain
American
Languages Spoken: English
Captain Steve, originally from New York, has now been in sunny Florida for over 20 years after making the move to start his own boat repair business. Being a boater for most of his life, the transition to the yachting industry seemed like it was the natural thing to do. He has now been in yachting for nearly 30 years and still loves it as much as his first time on board.
Captain Steve has been with Starship since 2003 and has evolved the charter program to a once in a lifetime and experience with service that exceeds every guest's expectation. He ensures that every charter runs smoothly from start to finish, with every detail being accounted for. He is a Captain with tons of knowledge to share and enjoys the company of guests in the Bridge while they sail. Although he is adaptable to all types of charters, he naturally favors families as he has two daughters of his own - ages 8 and 19.
His passion is ‘go fast’ boating and spends most of his free time with other boaters in central Florida or driving around sports cars.
Chartering on 185’ Starship is to charter with one of the industry’s best captains alongside his dynamic crew who will ensure an experience like no other.
German Sabin
Chief Officer
Russian
Education/Certifications: Bachelor's Degree in Marine Navigation
Languages Spoken: English, Russian, Lithuanian
German grew up in Lithuania, Klaipeda which is based on the coast of the Baltic Sea. During his childhood, he was a professional swimmer for 12 years before slowly transitioning to CrossFit as a fulltime hobby. After four years of studies at the Maritime Academy, German graduated and joined commercial fleet, following in the footsteps of his father and brother. After one year working in the industry, he discovered yachting, and has loved working his way towards Captain ever since.
German has now been boating for five years. He has previously worked onboard, M/Y TURQUOISE, M/Y HAMPSHIRE, M/Y KATHARINE, and M/Y AVALON. He has become the go-to crew member for all things watersports. During his time in the industry, he has cruised all five Great Lakes, Norway, the majority of the Caribbean Islands, Bahamas, the Mediterranean, and more.
Outside of yachting, German hopes to accomplish being a good husband, father and son. Additionally, he would love to start his own business one day that will allow him to earn passive income in order to spend more time with his loved ones.
German wants every charter guest to walk away from their time onboard STARSHIP amazed of the outstanding service the crew provided.
Bea Stapor
Chief Stewardess
Polish
Education/Certifications: University of Economics in Wroclaw, Poland with a specialization in Business Management
Languages: English, Polish
Nationality: Polish
Bea grew up in south west Poland but spent quite a bit of time in Berlin, Germany where her mom resides. After graduating in her early 20s, she immigrated to England where she lived for ten years. Bea is now located in sunny Florida where she hopes to become a Real Estate House Manager one day. Prior to joining the yachting industry, Bea was an office administrator and assistant for a major magazine company in Soho, London for over five years. She has also worked in HR and as a PA.
After 10 rainy years in London, Bea started her yachting adventure in 2014. She has now been a chief stew for the past four years on both private and charter vessels. From organizing themed nights and curating beautiful decorations, to making the best specialty cocktails, every guest is sure to have an experience that can’t be replicated.
Staying active has become part of Bea’s lifestyle. She tries to work out every day while also practicing yoga and meditation. In her spare time, she loves diving, reading, hiking, and connecting to nature.
Bea wants all guests who come on board to dance like there is no tomorrow, laugh like they never have before, and enjoy being pampered on 185’ STARSHIP.
Nelle Horn-Lucas
Second Stew
Canadian
Education/Certifications: General Bachelor of Arts, Sports & Event Marketing
Languages: English
Nationality: Canadian
Nelle grew up in a Jamaican household in Toronto, Canada playing volleyball, basketball, soccer, and track and field. She decided to leave Toronto to teach English in Palma de Mallorca where she was introduced to yachting in 2015. Nelle’s love for travel, her joy in providing a high level of customer service, and knowing that she’s part of a memorable experience for guests, is what makes her love being part of this industry. Prior to yachting, Nelle has experience in finance, marketing, and teaching.
During her yachting career, Nelle has cruised French Polynesia, Alaska, Galapagos, Barcelona, Athens, Santorini, Capri, Malta, the Caribbean, and more. She continuously strives to learn as much as she can in every department in order to be of maximum assistance to both guests and crew. She has an eye for detail and will always go above and beyond to ensure an unforgettable experience for every guest who walks on board.
When Nelle is not busy providing impeccable service, you can find her playing beach volleyball, the ukulele, reading, and cooking. One day she hopes to open her own bed and breakfast somewhere in the Caribbean.
Connor Seivert
Third Stew
American
Education/Certifications: STCW, PB Level II, Interior Service Level 1; Personal Training Certificate; Bachelor's Degree in Comedy Writing and Talent Management
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish (Beginner)
Connor grew up in a suburb of Minneapolis, Minnesota called Maple Grove, and spent time boating in the state’s many waterways. In high school, he was active in lacrosse and theater. He moved to Chicago for college, and worked in hospitality throughout his studies before becoming a talent agent for a year. In 2020, he moved to Florida and started his career in yachting as a deckhand, and became a Stew in 2021.
So far, Connor has cruised around Florida, the Bahamas, and New York. One of his favorite trips was sailing up the Hudson River and anchoring next to the Statue of Liberty. Outside of the United States, his favorite place is Cancun, Mexico.
Connor’s plan is to work his way up to the role of Chief Stew on a large charter yacht and then transition to a land-based role as a charter broker or estate manager. Outside of yachting, Connor also wishes to spend more time traveling, especially to Europe.
When not working, you’ll find him snowboarding, or enjoying jet skiing and other watersports. Connor also has a passion for pop culture, and enjoys cooking for family and friends.
Madison Thompson
Fourth Stew
American
Education/Certifications: STCW, ENG1, 200HR yoga teacher training
Languages Spoken: English
Madi grew up in the beautiful beach town of Newport, Rhode Island, a popular tourist town in the summer months and a destination for sailing yachts. Growing up, she had a horse and rode every day for 10 years. She also developed an interest in yoga at 10 years of age that has only grown since that time.
An avid traveler since her teens, Madi moved to New Zealand upon graduating from high school, and began working in the events department at a five-star hotel. From there, she headed to Australia where she worked in an office by day and as a waitress by night.
Madi started yachting in the summer of 2020, combining her work experience in the hospitality industry with her desire to see the world. Surrounded by yachts each summer in Newport, she knew yachting was a career option from a young age. In fact, yachting is in her blood as her mother came to the United States from New Zealand as a Stewardess on a yacht.
She joined her first yacht crew out of her hometown of Newport, and cruised around Rhode Island and New York. Following that, she moved to Fort Lauderdale and joined a crew that traveled through the Bahamas, Turks and Caicos, Saint Martin and the Dominican Republic. Outside of yachting, Madi’s travels have taken her to Costa Rica, Mexico, Spain, Thailand, Cambodia and, of course, Australia and New Zealand. By far, Thailand has been her favorite place to visit because of its people, food, scenery and overall vibe.
Madi joins the crew of M/Y STARSHIP as 4th Stew, primarily responsible for maintaining and organizing the interior spaces, and helping guests have the best time possible. She also hopes to use her yoga teacher training with interested guests. Her goal is to gain extensive knowledge of the yachting industry and eventually move into the role of Chief Stew. Outside of yachting, she has a keen interest in health and wellness, and plans to further her yoga training. She hopes her travels allow her to discover a place where she wants to settle down some day and open her own hostel or bed and breakfast.
In her leisure time, Madi enjoys hiking, beach days, trying new restaurants with friends, and practicing yoga.
Lucie Pukanova
Chef
Czech Republic
Education/Certifications: Hotel Management and Culinary School graduate; Ship’s Cook Certificate; STCW, Security Awareness, PDSD, ENG1, Food and Hygiene Level 3, Personal Bar License, Open Water Diver
Languages Spoken: English, conversational Spanish
Lucie Pukanova was born and raised in the small town of Karvina in the Czech Republic. She came from humble beginnings being raised by a single working mother. Lucie spent most of her time in her grandmother's kitchen which birthed her passion for food at a young age. She grew up playing piano, Latin dancing, and skiing. Her career in hospitality began with running her mother’s restaurant at the age of 18 and later moved to Prague where she ran several restaurants and bars while becoming a sommelier and mixologist. She spent time working on river cruises, and then embarked on her path in the yachting industry while also training as a sous chef in the UK. In the future, Lucie plans on opening her own family restaurant somewhere near the ocean.
Lucie started her successful career working on cruise ships, riverboats, private and charter yachts and she has been now sailing for over 6 years, traveling around the world. Chef Lucie will tailor her menus to guests' exact preferences and requirements making their culinary experience onboard memorable. Her specialties include Mediterranean, Middle Eastern, Asian, Latin American, and more. She enjoys combining different cuisines into a fusion and can accommodate all diets.
Music is still one of Lucie’s greatest passions, and while her work at sea keeps her busy, she enjoys catching up with friends, running, hiking, and hitting the beach in her downtime. Chef Lucie can’t wait to welcome guests aboard her table on 185’ STARSHIP.
Gregorio Gonzalez
Chief Engineer
Mexican
Education/Certifications: Chief Engineer Unlimited, STCW 2 010, SDSD
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish
Gregorio was born in San Francisco, Mexico. He grew up in Bahia de Banderas, a fisherman town on the Pacific Coast. Gregorio started in commercial in 2009 and has been working on yachts since 2016. He has always been involved with mechanical engineering and thought being on a yacht allow him to keep working on different types of vessels. Since his time in the industry, he has been onboard M/Y UBIQUITOUS, M/Y CORUS, M/Y BELBIER, and M/Y LEGACY. With fishing be a passion of Gregorio’s, when he’s not busy in the engine room he'll be sure to join guests for a fishing excursion, sharing all of the knowledge he has to offer.
Once Gregorio has finished his time on board, he would like to start his own maintenance company focused on yacht repairs. In his free time Gregorio loves participating in outdoor sports such as running, hiking, snorkeling, and of course fishing. He is a loving father of a five-year-old and very family-oriented.
Gregorio eagerly awaits the next guests to provide them with a safe and enjoyable luxury vacation onboard 185’ STARSHIP.
Christopher Banfield
2nd Engineer / Dive Instructor
South African
Certifications/ Education: STCW, Padi Dive Instructor, Elementary Seamanship, AEC, Short Range Certificate, Small Powerboat and Ribmaster, Compressor Operator, Yacht Rating, PWCI, First Responder Instructor, Oxygen Provider Instructor
Languages: English, Afrikaans
Christopher grew up in the suburbs of Cape Town, South Africa where he started working at a young age to support his family. After he completed school, he received a certification in Lighting Illumination where he designed and supplied lighting for homes, stadiums, hotels, and even consulted on a yacht. Christopher decided to leave the corporate sales world in order to get something more exciting out of life. He completed his yachting courses, became a Divemaster, and started his new career in Indonesia at Meridian Adventure Dive.
Onboard Christopher assists both the Chief Engineer and the deck team as needed. He is also responsible for providing guests with the amazing SCUBA diving experience. Guests can even ask Christopher to do a magic trick, but remember, a magician never reveals his secrets. After yachting, Christopher plans to open a specialized SCUBA diving travel company that travels around the USA teaching and arranging dive trips for students.
In his spare time, Christopher loves to do mixed martial arts, Brazilian Jiu jitsu, boxing, scuba diving, and magic tricks. Christopher is excited to welcome all guests onboard for the adventure of a lifetime.
Billy Trivett
Bosun
UK
Education/Certifications: STCW, Master of Yachts 200T Ltd, GMDSS - Certificate of Competency, Officer of the Watch 3000 modules completed - EDH, ECDIS, HELM, PSCRB, GMDSS, GSK
Languages Spoken: English, Spanish (Beginner)
Billy Trivett was born in Croydon, located in Southeast London, UK. At the age of 12, his family moved to Bexhill-on-Sea on the south coast of England. Since his childhood, he’s been mad about all things sports – from table tennis to rugby and everything in between – but his true passion is for soccer, which he played from the age of 4 through to leaving England in 2016. He has even coached amateur teams.
A floor layer by trade, Billy started an apprenticeship right out of high school and went on to set up his own company. In April 2017, he embarked on a career in yachting when he joined the crew of a 200-foot private motor yacht as deckhand. Nearly five years later, he is furthering his knowledge of the industry as he moves up in the ranks, and joins the crew of M/Y STARSHIP as Bosun. His goal is to continue with marine courses until he reaches the rank of Chief Mate 3000. At that point, he’d love a rotational job in yachting.
Billy has traveled via boat to many European countries – from Portugal to Sweden and everywhere in between – along with the United States and the Caribbean. His dream yacht charter getaway would be in Croatia with its beautiful coastlines. If he was going to live on a boat, it would have to be in Sweden where he could explore the more than 200 thousand islands off its coast.
Outside of yachting and soccer, Billy's interests include boxing, UFC, fishing, and spending time at the beach.
Victor Salazar II
Deckhand
American
Certifications/Education: High school Diploma, Powerboat Level 2, Open Water, STCW
Languages: English
Victor grew up in a small beach town in North Carolina. During his childhood, he played every sport that he had time for but mainly soccer and basketball. He even won two state and one national title in soccer. However, his soccer career came to an end in his senior year when he blew out his knee and unfortunately lost his scholarships. This is when Victor turned to yachting. After being intrigued about what the industry had to offer, he decided to try it out.
Victor brings an enthusiastic attitude and an eagerness to learn. He loves being apart of the deck team, assisting in any way he can. One of his favorite tasks is putting together amazing beach set ups for guests to enjoy. While Victor wants to make a career out of yachting, when he is finished, he wants to pursue a family life and do volunteer work as a coach or with animal shelters.
A lover of the outdoors, when Victor has free time, you can find him skateboarding to the beach, playing volleyball, or diving as he is a certified diver. Victor wants every guest to have the type of vacation where they remember nothing but lots of fun and crazy stories.
