Captain Name: Willem Knoetze
Captain Nationality: South African
Number of Crew: 2
CAPTAIN WILLEM KNOETZE
Willem Knoetze is a Captain that is very easy to warm up to. He has an endearing smile, an infectious laugh, and guests know right away they are in very capable hands. His in-water experience began as a child; going fishing, building rafts, and playing pirate games in the rivers and lakes around the family farm with his brother and sisters. As an expert seaman, scuba diver, and amateur treasure hunter, his playful pirate spirit still runs deep.
Will’s tight-knit family, most especially his uncle, inspired his love of the ocean. He says, “Despite having a great job in the IT industry, I had to leave to follow my passion for sailing. Since I was young I loved the ocean above and below the surface. The oceans kept on pulling so I jumped (in) at the opportunity and found my calling in life.” He is also a history buff, and snorkeling, spear fishing and underwater photography enthusiast. Fellow enthusiasts aboard MARE BLU can anticipate some truly memorable experiences.
Will has captained many charter yachts throughout the Caribbean; St. Maarten, Guadeloupe, St. Vincent and the Grenadines, Panama, Grand Turk and the Bahamas, He says, “MARE BLU is a superb power catamaran, ideal for island-hopping and exploring. The yacht has spacious accommodations and fantastic deck space, loads of toys, and a super friendly, knowledgeable crew dedicated to memorable moments and unforgettable holidays for guests.” That all adds up to one fabulous charter!
NICOLE BOWMAN, CHEF/STEWARDESS
Nicole is a Florida girl with a natural born love of sun and sea. She practically grew up in the surf and has always been mesmerized by the ocean and the creatures that live in it. Nicole was destined for the yacht charter industry. She loves boating, diving, water sports, and most of all working with people. She says, “Being on the water is second nature to me. There is nothing more amazing than waking up every morning in a beautiful tropical paradise!”
Nicole is a highly skilled chef. She holds a Certificate of Professional Cookery from the prestigious Ashburton Chefs Academy with an Accredited QCF Level 2 Award in Culinary Skills and HABC Highfield Level 2 Award in Food Safety in Catering. She also excels as a stewardess. She has been organizing parties, vacations, celebrations and been hostess to friends and family for years. She anticipates guests needs and gives them continual attention to make their vacation as fun, easy and as elaxing as possible. She uses her funniest yacht-related incident as prudent advice to first time charter guests: Don’t board the dinghy and forget your shoes on the yacht. You will feel quite silly walking around town in a pair of (old/huge) crew flip flops!
Nicole is thrilled to be the chef/stew on MARE BLU, a speedy power catamaran with loads of toys and gear. She is a certified diver, excellent snorkeler and can hook a fish with a keen eye. If guests want a helping hand with their water sports fun, Nicole is ready to assist. Her goal is to help make every charter spectacular, above and below the water line.