GRAND OCEAN

Crew Profile

Captain:
Christos Zoulas
Captain Christos was born in 1960 in Greece and is married with two daughters. He is a graduate of the Merchant Marine Academy of Aspropyrgos. Prior to his journey in yachting, he has worked on passenger vessels since 1978. From 2008 onward, he has been the Captain on M/Y Alessandra, Alfa XII and My Toy. In addition, he has more than 15 years’ experience in the tourism business, handling and operating a small hotel and café. He speaks English fluently and he is secretary of the Sailing Sport Club since September 2006. In his free time, he enjoys fishing, diving and water sports.

Chief Officer:
Marios Stefas
Marios was born in Greece in 1983. Although young, he already has many years of working experience on merchant ships and large yachts worldwide. Prior to joining Grand Ocean in 2016, he was chief officer and staff captain on MY O’Mega for four years and on MY Ancallia for another 3 years. Marios is very friendly and enthusiastic and brings on board both very good hospitality skills and excellent knowledge of water sports. His aim is clearly to see only smiling and satisfied guests on board Grand Ocean and he will do his utmost to assist in any possible way to achieve this. Enjoy an exotic cocktail while he and his dedicated deck team plan your perfect beach day and water sports activities.

2nd Officer:
Nikolas Panagakos
Nikolas is Greek and was born in 1987. He started working on private yachts in 2011, well before graduating from his Merchant Marine studies in 2014. His first experience in charter yachting prior to joining Grand Ocean, was on 43m O’Leanna and 38m S/Y Gitana. He has good knowledge of water sports and is always happy to assist in all the outdoor activities. In his spare time, you could find him either playing tennis or football.

Chief Engineer:
Ioannis Chaziris
Giannis was born in 1980 in Chios, Greece. He has been working since the age of 19, first on ships and then on private yachts since 2011. We are very happy to have him on board as his extensive experience enables him to handle every situation and maintain the smooth operation of all equipment on board. He is meticulous in task completion and has an excellent work ethic. With his attention to detail he ensures that all engineering projects are completed to the highest standard, which, combined with his calm demeanor, makes guests feel assured of a safe and totally relaxing cruising experience.

2nd Engineer:
George Stromplos
George was born in Greece and entered yachting in 2004. Having completed his marine studies, graduating from the Mercantile Marine Academy of Aspropyrgos(Greece) in 2011, he commenced his career as a third engineer in the cruise ships of Celebrity in 2011, an industry where he remained for more than 6 consecutive years. George is highly experienced and hard working. He loves to read, listen to music and is a cinema enthusiast.

Electrician:
Kostas Gklistis
Kostas was born in Athens in 1969. He has 20 Years of Expertise at Greek Navy Submarines. His impressive and versatile experience allows him to handle demanding situations always guaranteeing the safety and well-being of his guests.

Able Seaman:
Benie Panase
Benie was born in 1981 in the Philippines. He has been in the yachting industry as a deckhand since 2005. He gained his passion for the ocean during his childhood as he grew up only meters from the sea. Benie relishes meeting people from various cultures whilst travelling in this industry. In his free time he enjoys reading and football.

Able Seaman:
Damir Kaic
Damir was born in 1980 in Croatia. He has been working as Environmental protection manager in Shipyards since 2005 before following his passion to enter the yachting industry in 2014. He decided to pursue a career where he’s most comfortable - in the water and traveling. He is always smiling and happy to assist guests on-board.

Able Seaman:
Alex Sorotos
Alex was born in 1994 in Greece. He has been in the yachting industry for a year after earning his degree in Shipping Management. Surfing is his passion, followed closely by photography allowing him to see the world and capturing all its unique moments.

Hotel Manager:
Babis Varvaressos
Babis was born in 1972 in Greece and is happily married with 1 child. He has been working as Assistant Steward starting 1999 for 2 years, and as a Chief Steward from then on. His experience makes him knowledgeable in every aspect of a luxury yacht. He is sociable, helpful and a fluent English speaker. We are very happy to have him in our team as he is an excellent staff supervisor and is focused on client’s needs at all times and for this reason, some of our repeat clients specifically request him to be on board when booking their next charter.

Executive Chef:
Yannis Venieris
Chef Yanni is Greek and was born in Corfu in 1990. After finishing his degree, Chef Yannis worked in some of the most famous restaurants in Greece, from Nammos in Mykonos to Tomata Restaurant in Sani Resort and other 5 star hotels on the Greek islands. He also has experience working with Greek celebrity chefs such as Dimitris Skarmoutsos as well as the French Chef Olivier Campanha. In addition, he has been the personal chef of the Prime Minister of Qatar for two years before starting his yachting career in 2015. Yannis enjoys challenges and using his creativity, he makes every meal an outstanding culinary experience.

Sous Chef:
Gabriel Calvadores
Chef Gabriel is born in the Philippines and has worked as a Chef for vessels and inland restaurants alike. He started his career on 1988 and is working non-stop since then, to hone his skills and broaden his experience with cuisines from around the world. He has been working on famous yachts and has proven himself to be an excellent and talented Chef.

Steward:
Sta. Ana Franscisco
Francisco was born in 1972 in the Philippines. We are thrilled that he has joined Grand Ocean as he is very friendly and willing to go the extra mile to please his guests, always with a smile on his face. He has worked on mega yachts since 2005 when he first joined RM Elegant. Then, he joined O’Mega and O’Leanna and this has allowed him to travel around the world with high-profile clients.

Stewardess:
Ana Maria Sirbu
Ana Maria was born in 1980 in Romania. She travelled around the world and most of Europe on cruise ships experiencing different cultures and broadening her hospitality skills and techniques. Eight years later, she decided to enter the yachting industry where she can combine an excitement for travel and adventure with her career.

Stewardess – Beautician / Masseuse:
Raquel Chaves
Raquel is Portuguese and was born in 1990. She licensed and well experienced in many types of massage and spa therapies, such as deep tissue massage, Swedish, Shiatsu, aromassage, stone massage, Thai massage, sports massage, foot reflexology and more. She is also skilful in body and facial treatments, scrubs and wraps. When not working on board, she enjoys music and hiking. She speaks fluent English, Portuguese and Spanish.

Stewardess – Nail technician:
Bozhena Voitkiv
Bozhena was born 1991 in Ukraine. Her love for beauty treatments urged her to work as manicurist / pedicurist right after school. She was drawn to the sea and started her career in the yachting in 2016. She enjoys each day and looks forward to new adventures. She has a passion for what she does and will be happy to make your stay as relaxing and memorable as possible.