Lady Joy

Chris Thomson
Captain (rotation), UK
Joined LADY JOY in May 2013
Raised on the South Coast of England, Chris started sailing at an early age and travelled Europe sailing both competitively and for pleasure. Now a father of two, time for hobbies is limited, but whenever an opportunity arises, he loves to introduce his children to boat life on the family sailing yacht or take to the water windsurfing. His safety consciousness is more pronounced as a father than ever, and he ensures that safety is of paramount importance on board LADY JOY. When maritime weather conditions are unsuitable, Chris is more than likely to be enjoying a round of golf or a game of squash. Chris’s professional yachting career began over twenty years ago, during which time he has also graduated from the University of Plymouth with a BSC honors degree in Marine Technology, and completed his “MCA Master of Yachts License”. Chris has lost count of the number of times he has crossed the Atlantic, and knows the Mediterranean and Caribbean like the back of his hand; he has also spent time cruising the Baltic, Indian Ocean and west and east coasts of the United States. Chris has several exciting itineraries in mind to suit your cruising dreams. You can be sure that Chris will put his all into making your stay on board LADY JOY the holiday of a lifetime.

Simon Alway
Captain (rotation), UK
Joined LADY JOY in March 2015
Simon grew up in the West Country of England, becoming quite the sailor as a teenager during holiday trips on a relative’s yacht. After studying Yacht Manufacturing at Southampton University, Simon worked for a boat building company in the UK, and soon realized that he would rather work on yachts than build them. He then spent the winter of 1999–2000 sailing in and around the English Channel before joining his first motor yacht as a professional crew member in 2000. Since then, Simon has gained invaluable experience working on various yachts while cruising the Mediterranean, The Bahamas, Caribbean, the US east coast and has completed numerous Atlantic crossings. Simon is the father of two boys with his family home now in Montreal, Canada. With his knowledge, expertise and love of the ocean, Simon always makes sure that guests are provided with the utmost safety, care and enthusiasm and that they enjoy a fun and unforgettable cruising experience on board LADY JOY.

Dan Waters
Chief Officer (rotation), UK
Joined LADY JOY in June 2018
Dan began his career in 2005 as a cadet in the Merchant Navy, and completed a Bachelor of Science in Marine Studies at Plymouth University in England. During his cadetship, he circumnavigated the globe on a variety of commercial ships including several months on a sail training vessel teaching disabled passengers. Since then, he has worked his way through the ranks on a variety of yachts up to 160 meters in length. In his spare time, he enjoys going to the gym and running, but his real passion is fishing. Dan’s adventures have ranged from catching 200lb catfish in Spain to salmon fishing in Alaska! He is also a keen diver and some of his best ones have included swimming with hammerheads in the Galapagos Islands and hand-feeding bull sharks in Fiji. Whether you are looking for a chilled beach holiday or an action packed adventure, Dan will always go out of his way to make sure that your stay on board LADY JOY is one you will never forget.

Dylan Lenard
Chief Officer (rotation), UK
Joined LADY JOY in May 2015
Dylan is an energetic, enthusiastic, and efficient person who loves his career. He always likes to find the positive in everything and this rubs off on those around him. Having grown up in multiple countries including South Africa where he was born, Bahrain, Abu Dhabi and England, he developed a passion for the ocean and the outdoors. He loves physical activities and from the adrenaline seekers to the shy beginners, he has been told that he has a knack for getting people to enjoy themselves! He is particularly good with kids, helping them to improve their skills and partake in all the activities the yacht has to offer while always participating in an exciting yet safe manner.

Nicholas Paul Cook
Chief Engineer (rotation), UK
Joined LADY JOY in November 2018
Nicholas grew up in the south coast of England. His passion for engineering developed at a young age, having learned a great deal from his father. After graduation, Nicholas joined Sunseeker International as an apprentice build engineer, where he obtained his qualifications in Marine Engineering and Industrial Studies. After completing his apprenticeship, Nicholas worked overseas as a warranty and test engineer for Sunseeker International. His vast knowledge and experience in engineering was a natural fit for the yachting industry, and he has not looked back since! In his spare time, Nicholas is an avid diver and keen golfer who loves the outdoors!

Glenn Kensall
Chief Engineer (rotation), Isle of Man
Joined LADY JOY in November 2022
Glenn was raised in the Isle of Man and started his career on fishing vessels in 1996. He joined the merchant navy when he turned 18 and sailed on many different ships from bulk carriers to subsea surveys measuring from 50m to 180m and travelled around the world twice over.
As Glenn’s passion for engineering led him to partake in road racing and repairing motorcycles for teams at the Isle of Man TT, he decided to move his focus to the engine room because he knew that this was the career path he wanted to pursue. In 2010 at the age of thirty, Glenn finished his college courses and obtained his Chief Engineers License. He became a chief engineer for Bibby Offshore in oil and gas subsea surveys where he served for nine years before moving on to yachting. In his nine years at Bibby, Glenn became certified in operating underwater vehicles, crane operations, helicopter ops, dynamic positioning equipment, high voltage, survey and much more, making him the skilled safety conscious chief engineer he is today. His biggest passion is motorcycle riding, both off road and on. He has a race license in three disciplines and loves the outdoors, fishing, sailing, and cycling.

Alice Green
Chief Stewardess, Northern Ireland
Joined LADY JOY in September 2019
Alice hails from Belfast, Northern Ireland. After earning a Bachelor of Science degree in Sociology and Criminology, she held various jobs in retail and then became VIP manager for a well known local nightclub. A keen sports enthusiast, Alice became team leader of the Red Bull Ireland Wings Team, and also spent more than ten years playing high level netball, representing Northern Ireland and Ulster University. After embarking on a journey of self discovery, Alice spent a month in India where she obtained her 200 Hours Yoga Teacher Training Certification. Having enriched herself in so many disciplines, Alice decided to join the yachting industry in 2017 and hasn’t looked back since! Yachting has allowed her to incorporate her love of adventure and travel with her passion for high end service. Alice looks forward to greeting guests with a flute of champagne and a warm smile, ensuring that they will enjoy every aspect that LADY JOY has to offer.

Zuzanna Kilanowicz
Stewardess, Poland
Joined LADY JOY in October 2021
Zuza grew up in a beautiful, small mountain town in southern Poland. After completing her Cosmetology Degree, she decided to set out on a new path and moved to France, where she founded her own business that specialized in VIP makeup and elite hospitality. Combining her love of the ocean with her experience in hospitality, a future in yachting appeared to be a natural career path for her. Her various hobbies include cooking, cosmetology, handicrafts, skiing and camping. Zuza always looks forward to meeting new guests and to offering unforgettable memories and excellent service onboard LADY JOY.

Morgen Wallerich
Stewardess, USA
Joined LADY JOY in August 2021
Morgen grew up in Gig Harbor, Washington. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in strategic communications from Washington State University, she went on to work in the service industry in downtown Seattle. After a few years, Morgen decided it was time to immerse herself in different cultures and experiences around the world by joining the yachting industry and hasn’t looked back since! In her free time, Morgen loves playing tennis, skiing, and going on hikes around the Pacific Northwest.

Gina Zerman
Stewardess, South Africa
Joined LADY JOY in October 2018
Gina was born and raised in Durban, South Africa. After completing her Bachelor of Commerce Degree & Honours in Financial Management at age twenty-one, she decided it was time to immerse herself in different cultures and experiences around the world by joining the yachting industry. Besides basking in the beauty of the ocean and magnificent sunsets, Gina enjoys going for a run, working out in the gym, reading and baking healthy sweets. Gina’s bubbly personality and easy-going demeanor will ensure that our guests have a most memorable stay while on board Lady Joy.

Vincent Vieira
Chef, France
Joined LADY JOY in March 2017
Originally from Cannes in the south of France, Vincent grew up in a typical French family that loved to cook. He attended culinary school at age sixteen and graduated two years later. Since then, Chef Vincent has worked around the world in fine dining restaurants, luxury hotels and for a British Premier League Football Club. Having worked in the yachting industry for over twelve years, his extensive travels have naturally inspired and enriched his culinary expertise. Whether it be French, Italian, Mediterranean or Asian, it will be Chef Vincent’s pleasure to treat our guests to his wide array of menus and to cater to any requests they may have.

Alex Wasilewski
Deck/Engineer, USA
Joined LADY JOY in October 2021
Alex was born and raised in the northwest corner of Washington State in a small town called Lynden. He spent his youth exploring the outdoors, either hunting, fishing, riding ATVs, wakeboarding, snowboarding or camping. He spent many years working in his family-owned metal fabrication business where he acquired numerous mechanical skills. Alex attended Eastern Washington University and earned a degree in mechanical engineering. After graduating and spending two years as a Design Engineer working on heavy equipment and crane design, he decided that life behind a desk was not the way he wanted to spend his youth, so he headed to Florida where he began his yachting studies and jumped at the opportunity to work aboard LADY JOY. Yachting combines Alex’s love of the water and mechanical systems with his desire to travel and explore new cultures. His most recent hobbies and interests include design and 3D printing, drone videography, woodworking, and cooking.

Bradley Aleckson
Bosun and Rescue Diver, Australia
Joined LADY JOY in November 2019
Growing up on the pristine eastern coast of Australia shaped and developed Bradley’s love and respect for the ocean. He learned to swim before he could walk and engaged in a variety of water sports including surfing, wakeboarding, skateboarding, snowboarding and recently, kite boarding. Bradley graduated with high honors at Griffith University in 2016, obtaining a Bachelor of Commerce Degree with a triple major in finance, economics and financial planning and was awarded the University Student of the Year Award in 2016 for the Finance Industry in Australia. Realizing that the corporate world did not align with his adventurous leanings, Bradley decided to travel the world and began his career in yachting in 2018. As Bradley’s family ran a commercial fishing business operating a prawn trawler, he brings a wealth of fishing experience to LADY JOY. He is not only a certified rescue diver with extensive experience diving the Great Barrier Reef, but is a trained surf life saver as well. His extensive experience will ensure that he will always have his eyes open when assistance is required in or on the water. Bradley brings an array of skills and understanding to the LADY JOY team and looks forward to catering to her guests’ needs.

Chris Theron
Deckhand, South Africa
Joined LADY JOY in December 2022
Christo grew up on the coast of Hermanus, South Africa. Surrounded by nature, with mountains and forest on one side and a rough and cold ocean on the other, he was captivated by the ocean and its many mysteries from a very young age. Whether it’s surfing, free diving or spear fishing, he has always enjoyed being in the water. After completing school, Christo began a one year internship at Neptune’s Divers And Cruises. After completion, he obtained a permanent position as sole deckhand and dive master for four years. Christo is thrilled to share his love of the deep blue sea with all guests on board Lady Joy!