CAPTAIN DARREL
Darrel Hearne grew up in Johannesburg, South Africa, where he spent his time prowling the suburban jungles and raising his pet lion, Chaos. He also managed to finish school and holds degrees in actuarial science, accounting, and company law, as well as being a lieutenant in the South African National Defense Force.
In 2003 he decided to sell his house, quit the rat race, and go to sea. He moved to Cape Town in South Africa, to upgrade his sailing qualifications. After several months of sailing some of the roughest waters on the planet, he finished his qualifications and holds a commercially endorsed RYA Yacht-master Ocean Skipper’s ticket. He has lived and sailed in the Caribbean for the past eight years, sailing on a variety of vessels in the charter industry (from beautiful and graceful Oyster sailboats to a 118ft motor yacht). He has extensive sailing experience throughout the Caribbean and knows where to find the best bars on most islands; essential knowledge for a charter boat captain. His sailing adventures have taken him from sailing the Eastern US coastline, all the way through the Caribbean chain, and down to Venezuela and Columbia. In his travels, he has swum with dolphins, had a 40-foot humpback whale breach right next to (and almost landed on) his boat, and sailed through a hurricane. He is keen to experience two of these three things again. He is an experienced and seasoned sailor, with over 35,000 nautical miles in his logbook on multiple yacht types. Darrel is a keen water sports fan and loves to water-ski, wakeboard, kiteboard, and dive. He loves any excuse to get out on the water and would be more than happy to get involved with any of the water sports activities offered on the boat. Or any games, really – he is a child at heart and loves to play.
CHEF JENN
Jenn Hart grew up in Canada (in a well-known haunted house, no less!) but has strong family ties in the islands. She visited the British Virgin Islands for twenty years before taking the leap to become a local. This has worked out well, as she brings her considerable experience and skill in the hospitality and food industry on board.The guests continue to rave about her gourmet cuisine and out-standing people skills and she can’t wait to charm guests aboard Angeleyes!
Jenn comes from a family of chefs and has worked in the hospitality industry for many years. Her experience comes from formal training and hands-on learning. In addition to her delicious culinary creations, she also boasts some mean mixologist skills, and there is an ongoing contest on board as to who mixes the best drinks – thus far, Jenn’s Mai Thai leads the polls, with Darrel’s margarita a close second. Either way, the guests win.
Jenn is a versatile chef who works closely with guests to come up with a charter menu tailored to their personal preferences. She enjoys using locally-grown foodstuffs and tries to incorporate a farm-to-table approach in her cooking. She has amazing contacts and local suppliers down here that assist in this, and she strives to incorporate healthy and wholesome nutrition in her delicious meals. Her favorite culinary creations are classics with a twist. Her menu planning skills are second to none and she will make sure everyone is satisfied at mealtime.
FIRST MATE CHRIS
Chris was born in South Africa, but moved to the Virgin Islands at the tender age of nine, growing up on boats and living here until 2017 when hurricane Irma blew him to Canada. He returned in September 2023 to assume the first mate role on Angeleyes – Canada’s loss is our gain. Chris has worked in the charter and hospitality for many years, and his calm friendly demeanor will win you over in an instant. In addition to excelling in every aspect of the charter function, Chris is a genuinely kind and good person at heart, and is, in the opinion of the crew members and all who meet him, the nicest guy in the world. He also makes a mean martini; is an avid watersports enthusiast, and is a great instructor. Chris holds his 200-ton captain’s license and has tons of experience yachting through the Caribbean. He makes a fantastic new addition to our crew and, like Santa, brings peace and good cheer to our motley gang.
STEWARDESS JENNY
Jenny was born and raised in Scotland (part of a large island just west of France, for the geographically challenged), the daughter of two avid divers, so her childhood was spent bobbing around on dive boats and learning to love the water from the inside of a wetsuit. The only one of us who has some schooling in the hospitality industry, Jenny holds a degree in hotel management and catering. She spent several years working (and later managing) various hotels and restaurants in Edinburgh, before making the leap and moving to the BVI. She has lived here for more than two decades, although her accent still leaves no doubt as to which rugby team she supports. She has worked on boats as well as owning and managing restaurants on the island at that time and knows everyone and everything island-related.
Jenny is one of those people with boundless energy, and don’t let her diminutive stature fool you – she’s feisty. Happy and sunny and feisty. Her previous experience and varied skills mean she can fit in wherever she’s needed, so you may find her helping in the galley; pouring liberal drinks behind the bar (the Scots, like the BVIslanders, like their drinks strong); or you may not see her at all but just be pleasantly surprised by the magical and fragrant cleanliness and tidiness that happens wherever she goes. Jenny rounds out our team by striving, as we all do, for the three F’s: Friendliness, Flexibility, and being Phenomenally good at the job.
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