New Crew Starting August 1,2026
Captain Dean De Witt
Dean was born in South Africa, where a love of the ocean took hold early and never let go. His path into yachting began at Sodwana Bay, on South Africa’s northeast coast and one of the country’s premier dive destinations, where in 2017 he started at the bottom as beach crew and worked his way up to become a PADI dive instructor. The sea had become far more than a job — it was a calling.
In late 2018, Dean took his first real offshore step, signing on as deckhand for a delivery from Cape Town to the remote South Atlantic island of St Helena. That blue-water passage gave him a taste for long miles under sail, and soon his sights were set on the Caribbean. In 2022 he made the leap, joining a busy charter fleet in the British Virgin Islands and spending the next several years captaining yachts through the BVI, St Maarten, St Barths, Anguilla, and St Vincent and the Grenadines. He came to know these islands the way only someone who sails them week in, week out can — the quiet anchorages, the best reefs, the perfect spot to drop the hook at sunset.
Today Dean holds his RYA Yachtmaster Offshore (Commercially Endorsed) license and remains a passionate diver and freediver at heart. His calm, confident command puts guests instantly at ease. When he’s not at the helm you’ll likely find him with a fishing rod in hand to add to the dinner table, or free diving the reefs he’s spent years exploring. Whether he’s reading the wind to sail between islands or sharing a hidden cove he’s discovered over years in these waters, Captain Dean makes sure every voyage aboard Reverie is as safe as it is unforgettable.
Chef Charne De Witt
Charne grew up in a South African and Portuguese family, where food was always at the center of the table — a celebration, a gathering, a way of bringing people together. That early love of cooking and connection became the foundation for a career at sea. She completed specialist yacht chef courses at the Super Yacht Culinary Academy (SYCA) and the Ashburton Yacht Chef Course, developing a style built around fresh, seasonal, local produce and menus shaped entirely around the guests in front of her.
Charne and Dean first met in high school, before life took them their separate ways. When they reconnected, Dean brought her to Sodwana Bay on South Africa’s northeast coast — eager to share the underwater world he had fallen in love with. She swapped land for the water’s edge and spent the 2020–2021 season coordinating dive operations on the beach side by side with him. They married in 2021 before setting their course for the Caribbean together, where Charne has spent the years since cooking aboard charter yachts across the British Virgin Islands and beyond.
What guests remember most about Charne is the care behind every plate. Allergies, preferences, cravings, celebrations — nothing is too much trouble, and every meal is made to feel personal. A passionate baker, she’s known for the fresh treats that appear just when you didn’t know you needed them, and she delights in weaving the flavors of the islands into a relaxed, communal celebration around the table. Cooking alongside her husband Dean, she brings an easy rhythm and heartfelt hospitality that flows through the whole experience aboard Reverie.
Deck/Stew Robyn De Witt
Robyn, Dean’s cousin, was born in South Africa and built her career on a single principle: that great hospitality is about making people feel genuinely looked after. She earned a BA in Hospitality Management and cut her teeth in the world of luxury service on land — in fine hotels and at weddings and special events — where her eye for detail and bright, can-do energy always set her apart.
But the sea was always calling, and family had already shown her the way. In 2024 Robyn followed Dean and Charne to the Caribbean, working as crew aboard charter yachts across the British Virgin Islands and Antigua, and even taking part in an offshore delivery all the way to Martha’s Vineyard, Massachusetts — proof of just how quickly she found her feet on the water.
That blend of land-honed hospitality and real sea time makes Robyn a natural Deck/Stew, equally at home setting a beautiful table, lending a hand on deck, or supporting guests in the water. Creative and endlessly positive, she’s a watercolour painter and avid crafter with an artist’s eye that shows up in every thoughtfully arranged detail aboard. As part of a close-knit family crew, she completes a team whose easy communication and mutual trust translate directly into smooth, attentive service — and into a genuinely happy ship for every guest aboard Reverie.
Current Crew Until August 1,2026
Winner’s of “Best Crew in Show” for the 2025 VIPCA Charter Yacht Show
Captain Doyle Van Horn
Doyle was born in the heart of Arizona, where he grew up with a ranching background, spending his childhood exploring the woods and rivers of northern Arizona. After high school, he set off on a journey across the U.S., working various construction jobs and other odd gigs. One of these jobs took him to Valdez, Alaska, where he discovered the local marina. Seeing the boats lined up at the docks, he instantly fell in love with the idea of working at sea.
That moment changed everything. Determined to follow his newfound passion, Doyle set his sights on the Virgin Islands. At just 19, he moved to St. Thomas, eager to start his life on the water. Though he started as the “annoying kid” at the dock, constantly asking for work, someone finally gave him a chance. Over the next few years, he worked as crew on a 65-foot sailing catamaran, accumulating sea time and mastering the skills needed to excel on deck. His dedication eventually led to earning his 100-ton master’s license.
In 2003, Doyle was promoted to captain, officially launching his dream career of sailing through the Caribbean. Over the years, he had opportunities to captain various boats, from 100-foot motor yachts to 50-foot day sail cats. His experience took him from running boats for major hotels like The Ritz Carlton to private term charters. His adventures carried him not only through the Virgin Islands but also to Hawaii, the Great Lakes, and down the Eastern Seaboard.
In 2015, he built a boat and launched a small, high-end private day charter business throughout the Virgin Islands. However, in August 2017, hurricanes Irma and Maria devastated the region, forcing Doyle to return to the mainland. Back in Arizona, he embraced his roots, working as a cowboy for various ranches, sleeping under the stars, and raising cattle. Although he enjoyed the cowboy lifestyle, he always knew his heart belonged to the sea.
In 2021, Doyle sold his horses and moved to St. Augustine, Florida, ready to reignite his seafaring passion. With a renewed sense of purpose, he returned to the islands to pick up where he left off. Now, Captain Doyle is excited to share the secrets he’s discovered over two decades of exploration. Whether he’s showing guests the wonders beneath the surface, harnessing the wind to sail between islands, or playing a few tunes on deck during cocktail hour, Doyle ensures that your adventure is tailored to your desires.
Chef Christina Merianos
3rd Place winner in the Culinary competition for the 2025 VIPCA Charter Yacht Show
A Cincinnati native with Greek roots and 18 years in New York City, Chef Christina brings a lifetime of culinary passion and ocean adventure to every plate she creates. Raised in a lively Greek household where food was the heartbeat of family life, it was only natural that she followed her heritage into the kitchen.
After working front of house in NYC restaurants many years and gaining experience in LA as a private chef, Christina felt the call of the sea. Having grown up boating, she saw the perfect opportunity to merge her two greatest loves—cooking and the ocean. Four seasons later, she’s now an established yacht chef in the British Virgin Islands, delighting guests with fresh, vibrant cuisine that reflects her love of Mediterranean flavors and island living. Combining local flavors and ingredients with some of her Grandmother’s recipes is her favorite thing to do onboard.
Christina’s laugh, warm energy, and outgoing spirit make her not just your chef, but a fun part of the journey. Whether she’s sourcing local ingredients, crafting meals that feel like home, or sharing stories over sunset cocktails, Chef Christina helps ensure every trip is both flavorful and unforgettable onboard Reverie.
Deck Stew Jetske Van Rensburg
Originally from South Africa, Jetske grew up surrounded by the crashing waves and endless coastline of George—a place that quietly set the stage for a life at sea. After finishing school, she traded mountains for marinas and made her way to Fort Lauderdale to chase a career in yachting.
Though new to the industry, Jetske dove in headfirst with grit, enthusiasm, and a no-job-too-small attitude. She’s already built a reputation for being both hardworking and genuinely welcoming—whether it’s making sure the decks are spotless, preparing a cabin with care, or mixing the kind of sundowner that keeps the good vibes flowing.
Her easygoing nature, sharp eye for detail, and calm presence make her a natural fit onboard, and she’s quickly become a dependable, upbeat part of the team.
Guests can expect service with a smile (and maybe a cheeky joke or two), as Jetske helps make your charter experience seamless, relaxed, and unforgettable.
