Crew
Meet our crew: 11 passionate professionals that make your stay unforgettable and make you feel at home on board of Seven Sins.
Seven Sins complies with the British Maritime and Coastguard Agency regulations for charter vessels, (MCA code) a guarantee for the safety of her guests.
Discover the crew:
Mario Merl - Captain (Rotation)
Austria
Mario is originally from Austria and has recently settled on the coast of Brazil. He has over 18 years which he has spent as a professional Captain on yachts. Over these years, has gained substantial experience managing new builds and refits. Mario is an active Captain who leads by example, to ensure a perfectly maintained boat, which is ready to provide the highest standard of service. He is just as active in his spare time as he is on duty, often out trail running, mountain climbing and kitesurfing. Mario’s other passions are motorbikes and all aspects of yacht design and engineering.
Robert (Bobby) Chapman - Captain (Rotation)
Ireland
Robert (Bobby) grew up in small seaside village in Ireland and has been around boats and the sea all his life. He comes from a family of seafarers and at the early age of 17 became one of Ireland’s youngest qualified deep sea mariners. With 15 years in the yachting industry, Robert is master 3000 GT qualified and on board Seven Sins since 2021, Robert is looking forward to take you on a discovery of the many beautiful bays, anchorages and towns of the Mediterranean and Caribbean. Robert enjoys, water sport, snowboarding and golf.
Sam Kerr - Chef (Rotation)
New-Zealand
Sam is 31 years old and passionate about food.
Growing up in New Zealand on a self-sustaining organic farm Sam has always been in contact with great produce which is where all good food begins. His interest started to develop, after a summer job in a kitchen at 17, where he fell in love with the hospitality industry.
Working and managing high end restaurants in New Zealand and Australia, Sam developed an eye for detail and customer care. Recently he transitioned to yachts after moving to Italy and thoroughly enjoys the challenges as well as the amazing products/produce he gets to bring to
Lyle Schamrel - Chief Officer
South-Africa
Lyle was born in Durban, South Africa and has always lived a life near the sea. Lyle has been working on Private/Charter yachts for over 7 years and has stepped up to the Chief Officer position onboard Seven Sins, after serving a season as Bosun. Lyle holds his Chief Mate 3000 and plans to one day become a captain. Lyle is an avid surfer of over 15 years and enjoys all water sports related activities. In his spare time, when ashore, he enjoys snowboarding in the Alps, playing tennis and exercising. Lyle enjoys meeting new guests and delivering the highest standards to them.
Frederick (FC) Kriel - Deckhand
South-Africa
Frederick is 22 years old and grew up in a small town on the south-west coast of South Africa where the ocean became a big role in his life. Frederick has a passion for fishing, particularly spearfishing over reefs. Frederick is the jet-ski instructor onboard Seven Sins and he will do his best to keep you entertained in and on the water.
Frederick started his career in 2019 and has cruised the Med and Caribbean. He is always in for an adventure and loves seeing new places. When ashore he enjoys teeing off on the green and playing tennis. He is fully bilingual and will always be seen with a smile on his face.
James Creasy - Deckhand
South-Africa
James is a 28-year-old from Johannesburg South Africa.
He has been Yachting for three years, cruising the Mediterranean, Caribbean and US waters on large, small private and charter, sail and motor yachts. James has always enjoyed being outdoors and on the water, water-skiing, wakeboarding, e-foiling and certified personal water sports instructor. You will recognize him as the guy with the contagious smile on his face and always ready to show you a good time.
Teo Vitturi - Chief Engineer (Rotation)
Croatia
Adopting a ‘hands-on’ approach to his work, Teo is eager to lead multi-skilled teams of varying nationalities in challenging environments and has the ability to think and act swiftly whilst remaining calm in emergency situations.
A responsible and dedicated team leader, Teo works hard to build and implement sophisticated plans, motivate and communicate all to achieve exceptional performance and maintain the highest Safety, Health and Environment standards.
Teo has over 10 years on commercial shipping and over 7 years in the yachting industry.
Cristian Tofan - Chief Engineer (Rotation)
Romania
Cristian was born and raised in Romania, on the coast of the black sea. He is 31 years of age.
After graduating as an electro-mechanic engineer at the Maritime University of Constanta, Cristian started his career in the commercial maritime industry. After traveling world-wide on-board large crude oil tankers, he found his calling withing the yachting industry where he thrived. Cristian has many years of experience from various super-yachts and extensively cruised areas such as the Med, Dubai, Caribbean and Turkish coastline.
Cristian enjoys outdoor activities and sports.
Isabell Ruhle - Chief Stewardess
Germany
Isabell is 25 years old and grew up close to the sea in Germany, where she already fell in love with the ocean.
Before starting to work in the yachting industry 3 years ago she absolved her apprenticeship in hotel business in Germany and moved to Switzerland shortly after that, to work in a Michelin star restaurant where she developed her passion for the luxury customer service.
She is outgoing and active, loves to travel, explore new places and meet new people all around the world.
Alexa Spitzer - Stewardess
South Africa
Alexa was born in Johannesburg, South Africa however now currently lives in Cape Town, South Africa. Alexa has recently joined the industry and joined Seven Sins in her position on board as Stewardess. She is a hardworking individual who is always keen to learn more in order to provide every guest with an unforgettable time. She has many creative interests such as photography, film editing, making music and singing.