CAPTAIN JONATHAN
Jonathan Barrett’s maritime journey started in Durban, South Africa, surrounded by the vast ocean and family boating adventures. With certifications like the Marshall Islands 350GT Masters License and a comprehensive range of STCW 10 qualifications, he’s more than skilled on the sea. His career on the waves began in 2013, and he now captains NO BAD IDEAS, a testament to his skill and dedication. Jonathan’s connection to the sea extends beyond command; his hobbies include golf, music, exploring cuisine, and, of course, surfing. His aspiration? To open a surf camp in Panama, celebrating a life intertwined with oceanic beauty.
FIRST MATE PETE
Peter was born and raised in Durban, South Africa, where his love of the outdoors and obsession with the ocean began. The oldest of three boys, he spent his days surfing, free diving, fishing, and swimming. He learned to sail as a hobby and started his yachting career as a deckhand before becoming a bosun in 2015, working on private and charter vessels in the Caribbean, the Bahamas, the Mediterranean, South and Central America, Alaska, and both coasts of the United States. While he is continuing to build his skillset in the industry with plans to become a Captain, he excels at managing and training deck crews, overseeing all exterior duties, and ensuring all safety protocols are in place. His friendly and hardworking spirit is a welcome addition to the crew of NO BAD IDEAS. When not working on the water, you’ll find Peter diving, spearfishing, surfing, or skiing.
CHIEF ENGINEER SERN
Sern, a seasoned marine engineer from South Africa, has a real passion for safety and innovation. His yachting career kicked off after he got a call about an opening from one of his brothers already in the industry. He jumped at the chance and started as a Deck/Engineer, and now has nearly 12 years of experience. Sern is known for his safety-first practices on board, always ensuring the well-being of the crew and passengers. When he eventually moves back to land, he plans to use his expertise in water purification, waste management, and renewable energy to start his own company.
Sern is also known for being fun, witty, and a bit eccentric. Whether he’s golfing, enjoying watersports, or cooking, Sern brings boundless energy and enthusiasm to everything he does. His ultimate goal is to keep the vessel NO BAD IDEAS safe and ensure smooth sailing for everyone on board.
CHEF YUDHI
Yudhisthar, affectionately known as “Yudhi” began his culinary journey in a small surfing town, renowned for its beautiful beaches and the warm waters of the Indian Ocean. From a young age, he was captivated by the art of cooking, often helping his grandmother in the kitchen. This early love for the culinary arts propelled him to pursue formal training, eventually earning his credentials as a Cordon Bleu chef.
Yudhi refined his craft in local fine dining establishments, rapidly advancing through the ranks. His insatiable curiosity for global cuisines and desire for adventure led him to the yachting world in 2020. Since then, he has showcased his culinary talents across the Mediterranean, the East Coast of the USA, and the Caribbean, most recently aboard HALCYON for the past two years. Constantly evolving, Yudhi is always seeking new ways to innovate his culinary style to better suit the needs of his guests. Beyond the kitchen, Yudhi enjoys video games, reading, and exploring new dining experiences. Known for his humor, loyalty, and dedication, he is the perfect addition to the crew.
Yudhi eagerly anticipates creating unforgettable culinary experiences for every guest who steps aboard NO BAD IDEAS.
CHIEF STEWARDESS XANTHEA
Xanthea van Wyk, born in Pietermaritzburg, South Africa, grew up in a small city on the North Coast of Kwa-Zulu Natal. Her love for hospitality and tourism started young while traveling around Southern Africa and visiting game parks with her family. After college, she met her husband, Captain Jonathan Barrett, and spent several years managing game lodges in Namibia before moving into yachting. In her free time, Xan loves reading, snorkeling, running, and paddle boarding. She’s also passionate about wildlife and enjoys traveling the world to see animals in their natural habitats. After retiring from yachting, she dreams of creating a collection of unique glamping-style lodgings in Panama.
STEWARDESS ANDRIA
Andria was born and raised in Cape Town, South Africa. In 2021 she started sailing weekly at the Royal Yacht Club in Cape Town and loved the experience so much she started to pursue a career in yachting, and aims to gain experience while working towards becoming a Chief Stewardess.
Before yachting, she earned her BA Degree in Psychology and plans to utilize it by providing counseling. Andria considers herself an amateur photographer and has a collection of antique film cameras which are her pride and joy.
Outside of yachting she plans on investing in Real Estate that she can Rent or Airbnb. She enjoys Running, CrossFit training, Hiking, Camping and Off-Roading. Andria is a wonderful asset to the team and will happily help make your stay on board one to remember. Andria will make sure your time onboard is enjoyable and she is happy to assist with a big smile.
STEWARDESS/MASSEUSE
Suné grew up on a farm in the quaint town of Hazyview, where her family cultivates macadamia nuts and manages a game reserve. With the nature of the family business, Suné always had an undeniable love for the outdoors.
Her fascination with the yachting industry began at the age of 16, captivated by the prospect of traveling the world and doing what she loves while earning an honest living. Before pursuing her dreams, Suné studied at Isa Carstens, a renowned beauty academy in Stellenbosch, Western Cape, where she graduated with a diploma in beauty therapy and massage. Her passion for continuous learning led her to further her studies in Business and Supply Chain Management in 2023. Suné is dedicated to creating unforgettable luxury experiences for guests. She is always willing to go above and beyond, handling every detail with efficiency and ease. Always prioritizing honesty, Suné remains a valuable asset to the crew.
In her spare time, Suné enjoys hiking, exploring new destinations, jogging, going to the gym, shopping, and writing. She believes in living each day to the fullest, a philosophy that fuels her passion for life. Friends describe her as loyal, soft-hearted, and fun-loving. Suné is excited to bring her enthusiasm and dedication to creating exceptional experiences for guests aboard NO BAD IDEAS.
PURSER NADINE
Bou is from the lively city of Johannesburg, South Africa, where she developed a love for the outdoors and the ocean early on. After visiting her sister, a yacht charter broker in the Bahamas, Bou felt drawn to the yachting industry. She joined in 2016, starting as a Third Stew. With her boundless enthusiasm and warm personality, Bou ensures every charter guest has an unforgettable experience. She’s a versatile team player who also works well independently, always looking for opportunities to grow and enhance her skills. Friends and crew describe her as trustworthy, quick-witted, and detail-oriented.
When she’s not working at sea, Bou enjoys working out, playing soccer, drawing, and reading a good book in the sun. Dedicated to creating exceptional experiences, Bou is committed to making sure your time aboard NO BAD IDEAS exceeds all expectations and leaves lasting memories.
DECKHAND ZACH
Zac is an ambitious deckhand whose love for the sea was cultivated amidst the coastal beauty of Cape Town, South Africa. With a father who served in the navy, Zac was always inspired to work on boats which led to his gravitation towards a career in yachting. As a dedicated deckhand, Zac takes great pride in ensuring the yacht remains in pristine condition at all times. From meticulously maintaining the exterior to anticipating the needs of guests, he goes above and beyond to ensure that every aspect of their stay is unforgettable. Zac’s warm and friendly personality makes him a favorite among guests and crew alike.
His patience and energetic demeanor make him a pleasure to be around, while his genuine happiness radiates throughout the vessel. When he’s not hard at work on deck, Zac can be found indulging in his favorite hobbies. Whether he’s hitting the gym for a rigorous workout, taking a refreshing swim, or exploring the great outdoors through hiking, Zac always finds a way to keep busy. And when he’s not pursuing his adventures, you’ll often find him building cars with his old man. With unwavering determination and a keen eye for detail, Zac is dedicated to honing his skills and mastering every aspect yachting has to offer.
DECKHAND JAKE
Jake hails from a small town along the dolphin coast called Ballito just outside of Durban, South Africa making him no stranger to the ocean. He grew up with a younger brother and they were both sporty. Jack participated in a lot of sporting clubs, rugby, cricket, running, soccer, and swimming, and captained his teams in rugby, cricket, and soccer, and represented his district in both rugby and cricket. Jack started in the yachting industry just over 2½ years ago, he always wanted to travel, so to have the option to travel while doing something that you love just made sense for him.
He previously worked a year on a 1929 classic where he learned how to varnish, paint, fairing, caulking, sika work splicing, and whipping. Jack’s goal in yachting is to become a captain and make this a career, build up a property portfolio, and retire. He enjoys being active, playing rugby, soccer, or cricket. In his spare time you’ll find him either in the gym, on the sports field, or having downtime with friends.