CAPTAIN (ROTATIONAL)

JOHANNES BUYS

This distinguished yacht captain began his yachting career in 1996. Growing up on a farm in South Africa’s Free State, Joe was easily drawn to the yachting lifestyle. He began his yachting career as an engineer and eventually became a yacht captain in 2002. Joe’s natural navigation and mechanical skills, combined with his positive attitude, make him a true asset to the yachting industry. His dedication to yachting is seen in his many achievements, including obtaining his Y3 Chief Engineer license. These certifications have provided an impressive foundation for his yachting career. Today, Joe holds 20 years of captaincy under his belt. Boasting a Master Y4 3000 GT MCA Captain’s license, Joe has travelled through the Bahamas, Caribbean and Mediterranean, as well as most coastal waters. Well-versed in navigating the world’s oceans, Captain Johannes is sure to provide the ultimate yachting experience.

CAPTAIN (ROTATIONAL)

GRANT HEUNIS

Grant grew up in East London, South Africa, and joined Motor Yacht (M/Y) Top Five II from the well-known and successful charter yachts M/Y Elysian and M/Y Passion. He gained his MCA Master 3000 Ton License in 2012, taking over as full-time Captain of M/Y Passion after acting as Relief Captain and 1st Officer for some time. This was a smooth transition for Grant, and he has since exceeded all expectations. Grant has extensive cruising experience in the Caribbean, Bahamas, East Coast of the USA, Mediterranean, Adriatic, and Aegean waters. Grant is a qualified PADI rescue diver and RYA Jet Ski Instructor. He is a keen sportsman, having competed for his provincial team in water polo and surfing. He enjoys the outdoors, mountain biking, keeping fit, and hiking.

HEAD CHEF

ROB FULLER

Chef Rob has been a Chef for many years and has travelled all over the world. Originally from England, where he was formally trained in the culinary arts, Rob seized the opportunity to be a Sous Chef at the prestigious Ritz de Paris. From Paris he joined the yachting industry, where his culinary knowledge has served him well. He has also worked with employers such as the Fayyad family, Danielle Steele and Giorgio Armani in their residences, villas and yachts. Chef Rob creates high-end culinary masterpieces that exhilarate the taste buds for the charter and guests. Chef Rob understands the diverse requirements for the client, regardless of location or resources, and finds creating menus from local ingredients a fulfilling challenge

CHIEF OFFICER (ROTATIONAL)

ROBERT SOLOMON

Rob was born in Johannesburg, South Africa. Having grown up on a lake, Rob spent all day in and around the water. He has a strong passion for all water sports and loves being outdoors. Rob joined the industry in 2003 and now has his Chief Mate 3000 qualification. He has worked on a variety of vessels over the years and has cruised the Adriatic, Mediterranean, Caribbean, Bahamas, east coast of Africa, and the East Coast, USA. He was a crew member on the first Top Five, so when the new build was commissioned, he jumped at the opportunity to join the program again. His vast skillset and very friendly nature make him a great asset to the team. Rob loves anything that involves being outdoors, and is an avid hiker. After summiting Kilimanjaro, he is planning to do the seven peaks, culminating in Everest. The next peak on the list is Aconcagua in Argentina.

CHIEF OFFICER (ROTATIONAL)

LUKE DU PREEZ

Luke’s affinity for the ocean was forged growing up on South Africa’s East Coast, where he developed a passion for fishing, diving, and spearfishing. After completing a degree in Financial Management, Luke spent a year teaching English in Vietnam, further broadening his global perspective. Drawn to a career that would allow him to combine his love of the sea with his professional skills, Luke transitioned into the yachting industry. He holds a Chief Mate 3000GT certification and is a master tender driver.

CHIEF STEW

CASSIDY JERRAM

Cassidy was born in Cape Town, South Africa. Growing up on the coast, she surfed and wake boarded. Cassidy joined the yachting industry in early 2015. She joined M/Y Top Five II after being Chief Stewardess onboard M/Y Bartali since 2018. Cassidy has cruised the Mediterranean, Caribbean, USA, Seychelles, and the Bahamas. In her spare time, she loves being outdoors, in group sports, horse riding, running, and enjoying local cuisines and cultures. She never misses a Wordle and loves a good crossword puzzle. When she is home, she enjoys working on her 1971 Chevrolet L/S Edition. Cassidy is also a qualified Yoga Instructor, she holds her 200Hr YTT.

CHIEF ENGINEER (ROTATIONAL)

JEREMY COLLISTER

Jeremy was raised in Auckland, New Zealand. Growing up, he could be found either on the water or pulling apart anything he could get his hands on; this combination led him to a career as a Yacht Engineer. Jeremy has his SVE 9000kW / 3000 GT Engineering licence. Jeremy has cruised the Mediterranean, Caribbean, and the Pacific oceans. In his spare time, he enjoys sailing, kitesurfing and exploring. His early love for sailing helped him to understand and respect the ocean in all forms. This led him to sailing from Italy to Australia on his 44ft sailboat, much of it single-handed.

CHIEF ENGINEER (ROTATIONAL)

SEAN WEEKS

Sean was born and raised in the coastal town of Auckland, New Zealand. After leaving school he did a technical apprenticeship and attended university. After completion of his studies, he travelled to North America with friends and ended up starting his yachting career while in Florida. He cruised the East Coast of the U.S., crossed the Atlantic Ocean and cruised the Mediterranean whilst continuing his studies. Once qualified, he joined a world cruising charter sailing yacht doing 20k miles per a year. Sean has his MCA Chief Engineer 3000GT and a diploma in Electrical Engineering. Having spent the last few years in Florida, he now lives here permanently with his long-term girlfriend. Sean likes to spend his free time outdoors, either on the mountains in the snow or biking, as well as trying different foods from different cultures. He loves the ocean, boating, fishing, and sailing, as well as engineering science and modern and historical engineering.

2ND OFFICER

NICO TRUTER

Nico was born in a small town called Riversdale in South Africa. Nico developed a passion for sport, especially rugby, from a very young age. As well as his love for rugby, he always enjoys swimming, water sports, hiking, and running. Nico studied at the University of Stellenbosch, where he qualified as an accountant. He returned to his hometown to complete his three years of articles. Once he qualified, he realised that being tied down behind a desk and crunching numbers was not for him, so in 2018 he took to the seas where he could be physically and mentally stimulated, and has never looked back. Nico is learning as much as he can, building a firm foundation as he climbs the ladder to become a captain. He currently holds his Chief Mate 3000GT license. Nico, impressively, can do a handstand starting from a seated position.

2ND STEW

BIANCA BAMBROUGH

An experienced and detail-oriented 2nd Stewardess with a passion for delivering five-star service in the yachting industry. Skilled in guest relations, interior management, and team leadership, She thrives in fast-paced environments while ensuring that all onboard service and housekeeping standards exceed expectations. Dedicated to maintaining a high level of professionalism, discretion, and efficiency.

STEW / MASSEUSE

ZOË-BLU MOTTRAM

Zoë-blu was raised in South Africa, having spent most of her life in and around the theatre. She graduated Cum Laude from Stellenbosch University majoring in Theatre and the Performing Arts. She then went on to dance professionally in an African Contemporary dance company. Zoë-blu is a trained yoga teacher and masseuse. Her love for the ocean, adventure and creating meaningful connections is what drew her into the yachting industry. With her versatile skill set and warm energy, Zoë-blu ensures that guests leave feeling refreshed, inspired and truly cared for.

STEW / MASSEUSE

LUCCA BARONI

Lucca grew up in south Louisiana where she was always doing water sports like wakeboarding and water skiing. Shortly after finishing her schooling for massage therapy she quickly knew she wanted to live on a coast where she could continue to live the lifestyle she always wanted and meet new people. She also found during school her calling for helping people heal through the process of massage therapy and truly loves helping people to find comfort. Lucca also worked in private country clubs and enjoyed the service industry. Being able to purse her passions all at once, she made the choice to join the yachting industry. She hopes this decision will result in making a long term career and working her way up to chief stew.

STEW / MASSEUSE

MILA

Mila was born in Pretoria, South Africa. She studied photography and has plans to open her own studio one day. Mila loves the ocean and you can often find her at the beach. She is a passionate creative who loves a colorful life full of adventure.

STEW / MASSEUSE

AMY MOCKE

Amy is from Cape Town, South Africa. After finishing her BCom Law degree and spending time in corporate and Airbnb hostesing, she joined yachting. She loves being in nature, hiking, and being near the ocean. She is qualified in holistic massage, and spent 7 years as a dancer competing in Europe. In her spare time, Amy enjoys long walks and watching sunsets.

SOUS CHEF

PHILIP CRONJE

Philip is a passionate and detail-oriented sous chef with a strong background in restaurants’, he thrives in fast-paced kitchen environments, ensuring smooth operations and exceptional food quality. His expertise lies in menu development, staff training, and maintaining high culinary standards.

BOSUN

MATTHEW DAVEY

Matt was born and raised in Boston, Massachusetts, and spent his teenage years and early 20’s growing up in Georgia. He attended Georgia State University where he received a bachelor’s degree in criminal justice, initially aspiring to become an attorney. After working as a paralegal for some time, he decided to pursue a life of travel and adventure, and so joined the yachting industry in 2014. He has journeyed the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans – spending time in both the Mediterranean and Bahamas – gaining a great deal of knowledge, experience, and certifications along the way. Currently, he is pursuing his Officer of the Watch license. Matt enjoys spending his free time staying in shape and embracing the great outdoors. He is an avid runner, skier, camper, and hiker.

LEAD DECKHAND

JONA BRINK

Jona grew up on a farm in the central part of South Africa called Senekal. He spends most of his time fishing, diving, and doing water sports. Jona loves being outdoors and immersing himself in nature. He joined the yachting industry shortly after finishing high school and looks forward to a long-term career in yachting; one day working his way up to Chief Officer.

DECKHAND

NICHOLAS PAIN

Nic is a hardworking and adaptable deckhand with a strong passion for life at sea, I have experience in vessel maintenance, navigation assistance, and onboard operations. Skilled in handling lines, maintaining safety procedures, and working efficiently as part of a team, I am committed to ensuring smooth sailing and top-tier vessel upkeep.

DECKHAND / DIVE

ANDREW

Andrew went to St Benedict’s College, after which he decided to pursue a career in the marine industry. He became a Diving instructor at 18 and has worked in South Africa, Mozambique, Mexico and Bahamas. In his free time, he enjoys free diving, fishing and going for runs. An interesting fact about him is that he can hold his breath for nearly 3 minutes

DECKHAND / ENGINEER

JOHAN WASSERMAN

Johan is 23 years old from South Africa, Stellenbosch. He loves mountain biking, and all things nature, fitness and working out. In his freetime he likes to go backpacking and camping. He did his engineering degree in Stellenbosch whereafter he developed a love for the ocean and decided to transition into yachting.

DECKHAND

DILLON SLIER

Dillon was born in Cape Town, South Africa, where he grew up wakeboarding on the Vaal River in his spare time and enjoying lots of rugby. He also took up diving, and used that passion to achieve his divemaster qualification. He loves traveling and taking on new challenges, so straight after school he headed for Fort Lauderdale and then the Mediterranean to begin his yachting career. He joins us on Top Five ll hoping to follow in his father’s footsteps one day as Chief Engineer on the high seas.

2ND ENGINEER (ROTATIONAL)

FILIP BANKS

Filip was born in Poland and lived there for several years before moving with his family to the UK. This taught him to be bilingual, as well as to have an understanding for different cultures. That, in turn, sparked an appetite for travel and contributed to his open-minded attitude to life. His first encounter with yachting came about at the age of 19, and he has since sailed in Asia, the Mediterranean, the Atlantic, and the Caribbean. Fillip’s previous vessel, Teleost, took him across to the Caribbean where he had the opportunity to learn to dive and see some of the most amazing sites. Before this he gained his qualifications with cruise ships (Royal Caribbean) as Engineer Officer of the Watch Unlimited (Merchant Navy Qualification). Fillips interests include literature, nutrition, and fitness. In the winter he enjoys clipping into a snowboard and cruising down white slopes.

2ND ENGINEER (ROTATIONAL)

RIKUS VAN ZYL

Rikus grew up in George, a small town in South Africa. As a teenager, he spent his summer holidays working as a lifeguard on the numerous beaches in the area. After graduating from High School, Rikus knew that yachting would be the perfect fit for his future. He obtained the necessary qualifications required to start his career in this industry. Rikus has obrinaed his AEC Engineering license and is working towards obtaining his Second Engineer certification. He enjoys hiking, nature, reading, and learning new skills. His hobbies include playing guitar, harmonica, and gaming. A fun fact – Rikus is a qualified custom knife maker, and he enjoys making these custom knives from scratch in his free time.